Jimmy Witherspoon Roots

Jimmy Witherspoon Roots

Jimmy Witherspoon laid out two great records in 1962 on Reprise, Spoon and this one. Roots places the great blues singer and guitarist in the company of saxophonist Ben Webster, trumpeter Gerald Wilson, and a rhythm section consisting of pianist Ernie Freeman and drummer Jim Miller. The mood is laid-back, down-home, and full of emotion and sentiment. The warmth of Witherspoons voice on material like "Your Red Wagon," "Id Rather Drink Muddy Water," "Key to the Highway" (in one of the more unique versions ever recorded), and Jimmy Rushings "Did You Ever" is on the other side of lonesome. Webster and Wilson underscore the sung lines with fills that accent the deep blue in Witherspoons vocal. Jay McShanns "Confessin the Blues" is a more jazzed-up arrangement, but Witherspoons deep in the R&B groove here, taking a hint from Joe Turner. The finger-popping read of Turners "Its a Low Down Dirty Shame" is in the gutbucket; the rhythm section swings hard. Its not as raucous as the original, but Witherspoons smooth, clear, and deep register is beautifully complemented first by Wilsons solo and then by Websters. The real stunner is near the end, when the band takes on Big Bill Broonzys "Just a Dream," where Witherspoon wails and moans the blues. Its just chilling. This is one of those recordings that is a true hidden classic. - by Thom Yurek, AMG

Artist: Jimmy Witherspoon
Album: Roots
Year: 1962
Label: Warner Japan (24bit, 2014)
Runtime: 40:30

Tracks:
1.  Id Rather Dring Muddy Water (Eddie Miller) 3:56
2.  Im Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town (Andy Razaf/Casey Bill Weldon) 3:36
3.  Key to the Highway (Charles Segar/William Broonzy) 2:54
4.  Did You Ever (Jimmy Rushing) 3:24
5.  Confessin The Blues (Jay McShann/Walter Brown) 3:00
6.  Nobody Knows You When Youre Down and Out (Jimmie Cox) 2:31
7.  Your Red Wagon (Don Raye/Gene DePaul/Richard M. Jones) 5:12
8.  Rain Is Such A Lonesome Sound (Jimmy Witherspoon) 3:01
9.  Cherry Red (Big Joe Turner/Pete Johnson) 3:15
10.  Its A Low Down Dirty Shame (Ollie Shepard) 3:02
11.  Just A Dream (William Broonzy)  3:00
12.  Please, Mr. Webster (Buddy Johnson) 3:32

Personnel:
Jimmy Witherspoon (Vocals)
Ben Webster (Tenor Saxophone)
Gerald Wilson (Trumpet)
Ernie Freeman (Piano)
Herman Mitchell (Guitar)
Ralph Hamilton (Double Bass)
Jim Miller (Drums)

go to link download