Delta Rhythm Boys – A Sittin And A Rockin | Hottest Shots 1940-1950

• Like those of their contemporaries the Ink Spots and the Mills Brothers, the 1940s recordings of the Delta Rhythm Boys are at the roots of what first became Doo Wop before evolving into the great Group Soul of the 1960s and 70s – perhaps even more so, as their upbeat, vibrant style was more directly connected to what was to come in the Rock ‘n’ Roll era.
• Here for the first time in the UK is a collection of their best work from the first ten years of a career that spanned five decades, “A Sittin’ And A Rockin’” puts its emphasis on their up-tempo recordings, although the Deltas also recorded many fine ballads during this time, of course.
• Many of the inclusions here were written by the group’s nominal leader and longest serving member Otha Lee Gaines – a Delta Rhythm Boy from the late 1930s to the late 1980s – who frequently put lyrics to Jazz standards, usually with the permission and endorsement of the likes of Count Basie and Duke Ellington.
• A great listen for any fan of 1940s black American music and a history lesson for anyone who would like to know more about where the more modern styles of soul singing originated, this collection shines further light on both, in fine style.

Track Listing

1. TAKE THE ‘A’ TRAIN (1941 Version)
2. GEE BABY AIN’T I GOOD TO YOU - The Delta Rhythm Boys and the Gulf Coast Five
3. GIMME SOME SKIN
4. I DREAMED I DWELT IN HARLEM
5. LET ME OFF UPTOWN
6. MAD ABOUT HER BLUES
7. BUGLE WOOGIE
8. BUT SHE’S MY BUDDY’S CHICK
9. LA CUCURACHA
10. PLAYIN’ THE GAME
11. THE HONEYDRIPPER - Jimmie Lunceford and his Orchestra with the Delta Rhythm Boys
12. JUST A SITTIN’ AND A ROCKIN (1945 version)
13. JUST SQUEEZE ME (But Don’t Tease Me)
14. NO PAD TO BE HAD - Charlie Barnet and his Orchestra with the Delta Rhythm Boys
15. WALK IT OFF
16. DON’T KNOCK IT
17. BABY, ARE YOU KIDDIN’? - Jimmie Lunceford and his Orchestra with the Delta Rhythm Boys
18. I’M IN LOVE WITH A GIRL WHO’S IN LOVE WITH A GUY (WHO LOOKS LIKE ME BUT AIN’T) - The Delta Rhythm Boys with Frank Comstock and his Orchestra
19. DRY BONES
20. HELLO, GOODBYE, FORGET IT
21. ST. LOUIS BLUES
22. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A WOMAN
23. HEY JOHN (Keep Your Glasses On)
24. MY BLUE HEAVEN (1948 version)
25. AIN’T GONNA WORRY ‘BOUT A SOUL
26. ONE O CLOCK JUMP
27. FAN TAN FANNIE
28. IT’S ALL IN YOUR MIND