Black and Blue, Vol. 2

Personnel: John Littlejohn (vocals, guitar, slide guitar); Jimmy Johnson , Eddy Clearwater, J.B. Hutto, John Watkins, James "Son" Thomas, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Larry Davis, Lefty Dizz, Little Joe Blue, Lowell Fulson, Luther Allison, Magic Slim, Maurice John Vaughn, Michael Coleman , Mighty Joe Young, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Buddy Guy, Buster Benton, Byther Smith (vocals, guitar); Eddie "Guitar" Burns, Billy Branch, Junior Wells (vocals, harmonica); A.C. Reed (vocals, tenor saxophone); Lafayette Leake, Screamin' Jay Hawkins (vocals, piano); Eddie Lusk (vocals, keyboards); Jimmy Witherspoon (vocals); Maurice John Vaugh, Eugene Edward, Dr. David Evans , Alabama Pettis, Jr., Steve Coveney, Dan Hoeflinger, Joel Foy, Kenny Neal, Melvin Taylor, Phillip Walker, Will Crosby, Willie James Lyons, Carl Weathersby (guitar); Bari Southern (tenor saxophone); Sidney James Wingfield (piano, organ); Francois Rilhac, Ken Sajdak, Johnny "Big Moose" Walker (piano); Roy Alexander (organ); St. James Bryant, Gene Pickett, Art Hillery (keyboards); Dave Myers , Larry Exum, Dennis Walker, Cornelius Boyson, Douglas Watson, Rodney Lee Schnitz, Darnell Neal, Kenny Krumbholz, Nick Charles, Nick Holt, Tim Austin, J.W. Williams (electric bass); Willie Hayes, Donald Robertson , Kennard Johnson, Julian Vaughan, Fred Below, Mark Clinton Sanchez, Mose Rutues, Herman Applewhite, Johnny Tucker, Leroy Pina, Fred Grady, Odie Payne, Jr. (drums).
Liner Note Author: Patrick Frémeaux.
Recording information: Carlisle, Massachussetts (11/29/1976-12/18/1991); Chicago, IL (11/29/1976-12/18/1991); Heelsun, Pays-Bas (11/29/1976-12/18/1991); Hotel Meridien, Paris, France (11/29/1976-12/18/1991); Nice, France (11/29/1976-12/18/1991); Paris, France (11/29/1976-12/18/1991); Toulouse, France (11/29/1976-12/18/1991).
The Frémeaux & Associés label's obsession with teaching the history and evolution of music carries over to the blues, with the cleverly titled Black and Blue series. On Black and Blue, Vol. 2, the focus is on the mid-'70s to late-'80s and the shape of electric blues from the mammoth contributions of Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins, to lesser-known, but equally competent players such as Lafayette Leake, Lefty Dizz, and Michael Coleman. It's a nice collection for fans of electric blues because of these obscure tracks, and there are quite a few over the two discs. Black and Blue, Vol. 2 is also an excellent place for the curious newcomer to the style to jump into. ~ Gregory McIntosh