Saunders King What's Your Story, Morning Glory (LP)

(Blues Boy Records) 16 tracks

Of all the guitar-playing and singing kings of rhythm and bloss, Saunders King was the first to wear the crown. His career began during World War II when his double-sided recording of S. K. Blues became a million seller for the independent West Coast Rhythm company. S. K. Blues and several other popular recordings such as WHAT'S YOUR STORY MORNING GLORY helped King carve a niche alongside the other Rhythm & Bloss artists of the immediate postwar years, T-Bone Walker. Ivory Joe Hunter, Joe Turner, et al. In the 1940s, Saunders King worked with his own swinging six-piece band in the clubs and theaters of San Francisco and Los Angeles alongside artists such as Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Louis Armstrong and Am. Milburn. He recorded for various West Coast labels and toured the Southern Belt, Northwest U.S. and Midwest with the Chitlin Circult. Beginning in the 1950s, King noticeably curtailed his recording and touring activities. For many years, however, he was in high demand for personal appearances at intimate gatherings such as community events and private social occasions. Saunders King, who now lives in retirement in California, has remained an enigma to lovers of blossom and jazz for many years. With this album - the first devoted exclusively to his music - the eloquent sounds of his recordings from the 1940s and '50s are made accessible once again to new generations and old fans alike. Saunders King's fascinating career, told in part in his own words, can be heard here.