Introduction To: Night Train Keyboard Kings

Arranger: Tuts Washington.
Tuff City's Night Train International imprint specializes in rare blues, jazz, and R&B material with a particular emphasis on New Orleans musicians, and the label's vigorous release schedule (the 35 tracks here are drawn from 30 different albums) has resulted in a huge catalog of hard to find gems. This two-disc sampler concentrates on keyboard players, with the first disc centering on New Orleans performers while the second features swing, R&B, and jump blues artists from outside the Crescent City. The diversity of styles here is impressive, ranging from boogie-woogie romps to organ-led soul-jazz instrumentals and even some big-band piano pieces. Among the highlights on the New Orleans disc are James Booker's funky "Beale Street Popeye," Wayne & the Velvetones' delightful "Ham Sandwich Twist," a blistering version of "Last Night" by June Gardner (featuring James Booker), and a pair of Eddie Bo keepers, the stomping "Timber" and the fluid, impressive "I Just Wonder." The second disc yields Cousin Joe's "Box Car Shorty/Peter Blue," Lloyd Glenn's accurately languid "Blues Hangover" (which manages somehow to sound both exhausted and energetic at the same time), Jay McShann's bubbling "Hot Biscuits," and Gladys Bently's big, strutting "4th of July Boogie." A wonderfully diverse -- yet still cohesive -- anthology, this one is a winner from first track to last. ~ Steve Leggett