Rosco Rocks Again

Personnel: Rosco Gordon (vocals, piano); Otis Grand (guitar); Peter Erwin Beck (tenor saxophone); Alan Premier, Carlo Little (drums).
Liner Note Author: John Stedman.
Recording information: 100 Club, London, England (1982-1991); Burnley Blues Festival (1982-1991).
Photographer: Brian Cockburn Smith.
ROSCO ROCKS AGAIN, a late period Rosco Gordon set, was recorded live at the 100 Club in 1982 London. Even though the second waves of both ska and punk were just beginning to wane, this recording makes clear the joint was packed, there was still room for an original. More than 30 years after "No More Doggin," the single that provided the shuffle and the offbeat in the original ska rhythm, Gordon was still going strong. The eight cuts on this set are played impeccably -- and whether they are blues or R&B tunes, the "Rosco Shuffle" is present everywhere. The entire recording was remastered in 2009, with a new cover; in general the overall package is improved with the bonus cuts adding welcome additional material form a stellar performance.