Houston, TX

Maybe not so hip as Chicago or Los Angeles - Houston was one of the important centers of Rhythm & Blues in the late forties and early fifties. I took my play list today from a 4 CD box that I recently got myself, titled Houston Might Be Heaven, and judging the music, Houston definitely had that touch of heaven.

Most musicians indeed played the clubs of Houston's Third Ward - historically the African American neighborhood of Houston, while others just briefly passed by and recorded for one of the local labels - Peacock, Freedom, Macy's, E&W, Eddie's or Independent - to name a few, sorted by obscurity.

So enjoy some of the local legends of Houston, TX.

Transcript

Playlist

Peppermint Harris - My Blues Have Rolled Away
Blip Thompkins - Got A Feelin' You're Foolin'
Joe Houston - Your Little Girl Is Gone
Lavarda Durst - I Cried
Conrad Johnson - Fisherman's Blues
Willie Holiday - I've Played This Town
Carl Campbell - Oo Wee Baby
Clarence Garlow - She's So Fine
Lonnie Lyons Combo - Fly Chick Bounce
Robert Smith - Freeway Blues
Joe 'Papoose' Fritz - Real Fine Girl
Lonnie Lyons - Down In The Groovy
Little Willie Littlefield - Boogie Woogie Playgirl
Big Mama Thornton - Bad Luck Got My Man
Violet Hall - Six Foot Papa
Clarence Samuels - Hey Joe
Willie Johnson - Got The Boogie Woogie Blues
Bill Hayes - My Baby Loves Me So

Outtro:

Wild Bill Moore Sextette - Bongo Bounce

The following music served as background music during the spoken parts:

Kirk Kirkland - The Saxaphone Rag
Clarence Garlow - In A Boogie Mood
I.H. Smalley - Smalley's Jump
Little Willie Littlefield - Little Willie's Boogie
Little Willie Littlefield - Swanee River