Elly Roberts reviews
Various: Rhythm & Booze
Distributed by
Stateside (EMI)
- Cat.no: 5606302
- Released: March 2005
- Rating: 10/10
Tracks from the huge roster of legendary British pioneering label Stateside, now backed by EMI.
The label began trading in 1962. Its label was black with white print and
the ‘S’ was written as an American dollar sign. It issued a large number of
USA labels including ABC, Bell and the Tamla/Gordy/Motown group, which made
it a good label for the Mods to hear new music from the states.
There’s plenty here to raise your spirits, and sober you in an instant with
selection from the 1940s and 1950s. It sounds like some of the artists (or
writers) have had some close shaves under the influence as many a song is sung
with genuine conviction.
Tales of high-jinx juxtaposed by the melancloic (or is that alcoholic?) blues
purveyed by many a desperate Bluesman who’s having problems with the old trouble
and stife. Invariably they gravitate to the nearest bar to drown their sorrows
and suffer the consequences - a hellish hangover or a roasting from the missus.
The love fallouts are littered across the tracklisting e.g. Cheap Old Wine And
Whiskey. It’s not just the men who’ve got problems though because the ladies
throw their weight behind some swaying jazzy numbers - Little Esther
(sounding more like Billie Holliday) on Aged & Mellow Blues which is
a gem.
Star tracks included a sublime R&B drifter - Let Me Go Home Whisky
by Amos Milburn and the legendary Jimmy Rogers on the out-and-out R&B romp
of Sloppy Drunk.
Just the tonic (ouch!)for the morning after the night before.
No hic-cups here! Classic collection.
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
