Rhythm And Blues

Early rock & roll derived the lion's share of its en-ergy and inspiration from black music. In the Fif-ties "rock & roll" was often taken to be simply a new name for "rhythm & blues," or "R&B," the music industry's generic term for any popular music primarily produced and consumed by African-Americans.

The R&B scene of the early Fifties was diverse enough to accommodate the suave stylings of a Charles Brown, the earthy, fiery Chicago blues of a Muddy Waters and everything in between. But when one thinks today of R&B in the early Fifties, it's usually the vocal groups that first come to mind—the Drifters, the Dominoes, the Midnighters, so many more. During those years, the years just before rock & roll became a worldwide phenomenon, a new en-ergy came into black vocal group music. In the For-ties it had been dominated by the Ravens, the Orioles and other groups that sang love songs sweet and low, after the fashion of the Ink Spots, who became world famous just before World War II.

Around 1950, though, certain R&B vocal groups began moving away from the sweet tones of the Ink Spots' Bill Kenny and toward something much closer to the sanctified shouts of such contemporary gospel groups as the Soul Stirrers, the Pilgrim Trav-elers and the Swan Silvertones. For some in the black community, this was tan-tamount to blasphemy. The new mix of gospel-style singing, sensual R&B rhythms and risque lyrics on such trend-setting records as "Honey Love" by the Drifters and "Work with Me Annie" by the Mid-nighters was as outrageous to conservatives as the rap excesses of 2 Live Crew would be some thirty-five years later.

(When Sam Cooke launched his pop career in 1957 after six years of singing pure gospel with the Soul Stirrers, the schism among his fans was deeper and more permanent even than what happened among Bob Dylan's folk fans after he went electric in 1965.) For young R&B fans, though—blacks and whites—this was electrifying stuff...

Early rock & roll derived the lion's share of its en-ergy and inspiration from black music. In the Fif-ties "rock & roll" was often taken to be simply a new name for "rhythm & blues,"... read more »
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Rhythm And Blues

Early rock & roll derived the lion's share of its en-ergy and inspiration from black music. In the Fif-ties "rock & roll" was often taken to be simply a new name for "rhythm & blues," or "R&B," the music industry's generic term for any popular music primarily produced and consumed by African-Americans.

The R&B scene of the early Fifties was diverse enough to accommodate the suave stylings of a Charles Brown, the earthy, fiery Chicago blues of a Muddy Waters and everything in between. But when one thinks today of R&B in the early Fifties, it's usually the vocal groups that first come to mind—the Drifters, the Dominoes, the Midnighters, so many more. During those years, the years just before rock & roll became a worldwide phenomenon, a new en-ergy came into black vocal group music. In the For-ties it had been dominated by the Ravens, the Orioles and other groups that sang love songs sweet and low, after the fashion of the Ink Spots, who became world famous just before World War II.

Around 1950, though, certain R&B vocal groups began moving away from the sweet tones of the Ink Spots' Bill Kenny and toward something much closer to the sanctified shouts of such contemporary gospel groups as the Soul Stirrers, the Pilgrim Trav-elers and the Swan Silvertones. For some in the black community, this was tan-tamount to blasphemy. The new mix of gospel-style singing, sensual R&B rhythms and risque lyrics on such trend-setting records as "Honey Love" by the Drifters and "Work with Me Annie" by the Mid-nighters was as outrageous to conservatives as the rap excesses of 2 Live Crew would be some thirty-five years later.

(When Sam Cooke launched his pop career in 1957 after six years of singing pure gospel with the Soul Stirrers, the schism among his fans was deeper and more permanent even than what happened among Bob Dylan's folk fans after he went electric in 1965.) For young R&B fans, though—blacks and whites—this was electrifying stuff...

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Etta James - Rocks (CD)
Etta James: Etta James - Rocks (CD) Art-Nr.: BCD17750

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1-CD (Digipak) mit 36-seitigem Booklet, 29 Einzeltitel. Gesamtspielzeit ca. 79 min. Mit Etta James widmet sich Bear Family Records® endlich den rockigsten Aufnahmen einer der bedeutendsten und erfolgreichsten Afro-amerikanischen...
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Ike Turner - Rocks (CD)
Ike Turner: Ike Turner - Rocks (CD) Art-Nr.: BCD17679

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1-CD (Digipak) with 36 page booklet, 33 tracks. Total playing time approx. 79 min. Ike Turner proved to be a challenging and polarizing character, considered moody, irascible and aggressive, even towards his partner. Despite all his...
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Headin' For The Poorhouse - What To Do When Money is Through? (CD)
Various - Bear Family Records: Headin' For The Poorhouse - What To Do When... Art-Nr.: BCD17763

This product will be released at 7 March 2025

1-CD (Digipak) mit 36-seitigem Booklet, 30 Einzeltitel. Gesamtspieldauer ca. 78 Min. Wir alle kennen die Situation, wo das Geld knapp wird, es kaum für Miete oder ein anständiges Leben reicht. Doch es geht noch schlimmer! Die bewegenden...
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Love's Been Rough On Me - Life, Love & The Blues (2-CD)
Etta James: Love's Been Rough On Me - Life, Love & The... Art-Nr.: CDFLOAT6138

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(Floating World Records) 22 titres Ce coffret de deux CD, édité par MID-PRICE, contient deux albums de 1997 et 1998. Love's Been Rough On Me » est un excellent album qui montre la chanteuse au sommet de son art. Sa version du tube...
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Sweat 'N' Soul - Anthology 1965-1971 (2-CD)
Sam & Dave: Sweat 'N' Soul - Anthology 1965-1971 (2-CD) Art-Nr.: CDRN71253

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(Rhino Records) 50 tracks
$54.95
On The Prowl With The Wolf (CD)
Various - Bear Family Records: On The Prowl With The Wolf (CD) Art-Nr.: BCD17762

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1-CD (Digipak) with 36 page booklet, 32 tracks. Total playing time approx. 79 min. The wolf, intelligent pack animal or lone hunter, main character in classic fairy tales and polarizing character, has long since found its way into the...
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My Story (CD)
Chuck Willis: My Story (CD) Art-Nr.: CDWK75061

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(1990/Sony) 14 tracks
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Here, There And Everywhere - Black America Sings John Lennon, Paul McCartney And George Harrison (CD)
Various: Here, There And Everywhere - Black America... Art-Nr.: CDTOP1654

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(Ace Records) 22 tracks incl. 19-page booklet The Beatles were known for their shared love of black American music. Their versions of songs by artists such as the Miracles, the Marvelettes, Arthur Alexander, Barrett Strong, the Isley...
$18.65
Country And Western Meets Rhythm And Blues (CD)
Ray Charles & Friends: Country And Western Meets Rhythm And Blues (CD) Art-Nr.: CDTGR22422

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(Tangerine Records) 12 tracks, digisleeve
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Best of Country & Western (CD)
Ray Charles: Best of Country & Western (CD) Art-Nr.: CDTGR22482

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(Tangerine Records) 13 tracks, digisleeve A new entry in the canon of genius Ray Charles The first black artist to record a country music album His original iconic country recordings include “I Can't Stop Loving You” and “Seven Spanish...
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Best of Country & Western (LP)
Ray Charles: Best of Country & Western (LP) Art-Nr.: LPTRC22481

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(Tangerine Records) 13 tracks A new entry in the canon of genius Ray Charles The first black artist to record a country music album His original iconic country recordings include “I Can't Stop Loving You” and “Seven Spanish Angels”...
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Crying Time (CD)
Ray Charles & Friends: Crying Time (CD) Art-Nr.: CDTRC22432

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(Tangerine Records) 12 tracks, digisleeve The success of the 1962 albums Modern Sounds in Country And Western Music paved the way for Charles' creative freedom as an artist. As his career progressed, he continued to show his deep...
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Rhythm Blues Party (CD)
Frank Ballard: Rhythm Blues Party (CD) Art-Nr.: CD813223

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(Sun Records) 12 tracks Frank Ballard brings the mood to Sun Records' 70th anniversary celebration with the remastered Rhythm Blues Party. Nicknamed “The Golden Voice,” he brings each track to life with his powerful vocals, accompanied...
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T-Bird Party! - A Swangin' Slew O' Greasy R&B - 1957-61 (CD)
Various: T-Bird Party! - A Swangin' Slew O' Greasy R&B -... Art-Nr.: CDRB5362

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(Lido Records) 17 tracks - crazy, greasy, black R&B songs - 1957-64. really wicked novelty and dance songs
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Jump and Shout (CD)
Various: Jump and Shout (CD) Art-Nr.: CD7006265

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(J&S) 26 tracks - greasy post-R&B pre-Soul dancers!
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Shake 'Em Up Baby - Memphis Rhythm & Blues (CD)
Frank Ballard: Shake 'Em Up Baby - Memphis Rhythm & Blues (CD) Art-Nr.: CD813520

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(Sun Records) 16 tracks Frank Ballard, nicknamed “The Golden Voice”, brings every track on this compilation to life with his powerful vocals and affinity for Memphis rhythm and blues. With hits like “Boney Maroney,” “New Orleans Hey Hey...
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Johnny 'Guitar' Watson - Rocks (CD)
Johnny 'Guitar' Watson: Johnny 'Guitar' Watson - Rocks (CD) Art-Nr.: BCD17764

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1-CD (Digipak) with 36 page booklet, 30 tracks. Total playing time approx. 79 min. With Johnny 'Guitar' Watson we present an exceptionally inventive and style-defining musician in the 'Rocks' series on Bear Family Records®. As 'Young'...
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On The Dancefloor With More Fingersnaps - 31 More Pops To Make The Party Shake! (CD)
Various: On The Dancefloor With More Fingersnaps - 31... Art-Nr.: BCD17745

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1-CD (Digipak) with 36-page booklet, 31 tracks. Total playing time approx. 79 min. Follow-up album to our debut 'Fingersnap!' CD (BCD17718) in the 'On the Dancefloor' series on Bear Family Records®. The second installment delivers 31...
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Modern Sounds In Country & Western Music (CD)
Ray Charles: Modern Sounds In Country & Western Music (CD) Art-Nr.: CDTRC22462

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(Tangerine Records) 12 tracks, digisleeve The album “Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music” by musical and cultural icon Ray Charles is re-released. During his 45-year recording career, the Georgia-born pianist, singer and composer...
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Live At Rockpalast 1979 & 1992 (3-CD + 2-DVD Box)
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes: Live At Rockpalast 1979 & 1992 (3-CD + 2-DVD Box) Art-Nr.: CDMIG90992

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(MIG Music) 75 tracks Southside Johnny, aka John Lyon, comes from New Jersey, just like the Boss (Bruce Springsteen), and of course the paths of the two, or rather the members of the E-Street Band, often crossed. In particular, he has...
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Get Ready For A Groovy And Bluesy Christmas (CD)
Various - Season's Greetings: Get Ready For A Groovy And Bluesy Christmas (CD) Art-Nr.: BCD17766

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1-CD with 20-page booklet, 28 tracks. Total playing time approx. 78 min. • Highly enjoyable Christmas CD with a total of 28 great tunes, favorites of the Bear Family Records® team. • Black music from the golden age of rhythm 'n' blues...
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Jumpin' Joe Turner (CD)
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Here's Sam Cooke (CD)
Sam Cooke: Here's Sam Cooke (CD) Art-Nr.: CDSI905658

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(Disky) 16 tracks
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The Best Of (CD)
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James Cotton - Rocks (CD)
COTTON, James: James Cotton - Rocks (CD) Art-Nr.: BCD17651

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1-CD (Digipak) with 36 page booklet, 27 tracks. Total playing time approx. 75 min. Bear Family Records® dedicates a CD album in the 'Rocks' series to James Cotton (1935-2017), one of the most dazzling personalities in the world of blues...
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