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Post by earleg on Mar 25, 2015 18:53:34 GMT -5
I didn't know he made this album but came across it on YouTube. His name always came up here and there over the years but seems sort of lost and found with the Chicago blues. I'm not sure should afford the CD now > Bluebird - Jimmy Rogers Jimmy Rogers
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Post by AlanB on Mar 26, 2015 2:10:39 GMT -5
Here is the earliest published appraisal of the man and his music. Appreciation of JR come a long way since then.
JIMMY ROGERS “Walking by Myself: A Commentary on Jimmy Rogers, Blues Singer.” By John Broven Blues Unlimited 23 (June 1965 pps 3-6)
Many erstwhile modern blues recordings are perhaps shrouded in a greater veil of mystery today than many of their earlier counterparts. That this is so is due almost entirely by neglect thrust upon them by the record industry not that the record buying public can be wholly absolved from blame. Neglect has brought on an advanced state of ignorance and has led to many disturbing consequences. This is highlighted by the wholesale disappearance of many important figures who played and recorded in the 'fifties.
Jimmy Rogers is a case in point. I should perhaps point out that this isn't the white folk/blues singer of the "pop" artist: but a fine singer/guitarist, who played with the Muddy Waters' band for the best part of a decade. Unfortunately little is known either of Jimmy himself or his contributions to the Chicago blues scene, hope that what I can present here will serve as an invitation for further investigation.
Born James A. Lane in Atlanta, Georgia on June 3, 1924, how Jimmy came to be known as Rogers is not yet discovered. As Muddy Waters tells it, Jimmy came to Chicago from the South in 1945, two years after himself, and at first played harmonica, only switching to guitar later when Muddy was beginning to make a name for himself. Even in 1945 Muddy was an important contact, and Jimmy was soon playing regularly with his band that variously included, Sunnyland Slim, Lee Brown, Baby Face Leroy, and Little Walter.
Roger's recorded output is confined entirely to Chess. His first record, "That's All Right" was one of the earliest blues issues on Chess, cut in 1950 soon after the label had absorbed the old Aristocrat concern. For the next ten years Jimmy continued to cut records sporadically, maintaining a superbly high standard almost to the last. He was dropped by Chess in 1959 after he'd made "My Last Meal", which I think will be agreed. was sub standard Rogers. This marked the end of his musical career for he had left Muddy two years earlier, had long been puzzled as to why they had parted, and was told by the Otis Spann that Jimmy was dismissed due to his lack of discipline while the band was performing by drinking and smoking on stage he was not only contravening the strict rules laid down by Muddy, but also those of the local Musician's Union, of which all Muddy's band members are members.
In his time Jimmy had been extremely successful. Though his records never sold to the extent of those of Muddy or Little Walter, several like That's All Right" and "Walkin' By Myself" were extremely popular. Apart from his spells with Muddy's band, Jimmy also associated for a time with Claude "Blue Smitty" Smith and pianist Eddie Ware. Questioning reveals that today Jimmy drives a cab in the vicinity of 15th Street on Chicago's West Side. That such a fine musician should be lost to us is a very great shame.
In the main part, the blues of Jimmy Rogers are philosophical. The subject of women predominates throughout, his feelings vie between adoration and contempt. His treatment is most varied however and like all good blues artists he has the attribute of being able to invest many diverse and novel situations into oft used themes. A very good example is "Back Door Friend". The nearest we can get to an autobiographical song is "Chicago Bound" on which Jimmy recounts how he left Georgia in 1934, arriving in Chicago via Memphis and St. Louis and ending, "I'm gonna live in Chicago, it's the greatest place around".
Muddy's first remark about Jimmy was, "He's got such a fine voice"; his diction and phrasing are unusually clear and most emphatic; he sounds very much at ease. Comparison with other artists is difficult but perhaps Eddie Taylor and John Brim bear most resemblance to him. His guitar acts as a perfect foil with an emphasis mainly on bass rhythm. He also had the good fortune to be accompanied on record by superb musicians. Most of his records are very worthwhile additions to any blues collection. We should all benefit by the reappearance of Jimmy Rogers.
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Post by earleg on Mar 26, 2015 10:28:09 GMT -5
On this CD both Carey Bell and Johnnie Johnson get a good bit of space playing wise. The whole band plays really well and Jimmy does great both on vocals and guitar.
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Post by JamesP on Nov 19, 2015 7:59:30 GMT -5
Jimmy Rogers - Blues Festival, Grant Park, Chicago (1991)
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Post by JamesP on Nov 19, 2015 8:06:34 GMT -5
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