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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Shotgun Boogie - Rhythm & Blues Goes Country Vol.1 (CD)
Various: Shotgun Boogie - Rhythm & Blues Goes Country... Art-Nr.: BCD17701

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1-CD (Digipak) with 36 page booklet, 29 tracks. Total playing time approx. 79 min. There has always been a lively exchange between musicians in the USA - regardless of skin color. With 'Shotgun Boogie', Bear Family Records® documents in...
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Traveling Days - Live In Italy (CD)
Lazy Lester: Traveling Days - Live In Italy (CD) Art-Nr.: CDNSR22012024

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(New Shot Records) 9 tracks, digisleeve The pioneer of Louisiana blues returns with a live album recorded in Italy in 1991. His harmonica and vocals are on full display here. He has already released a dozen solo records on numerous...
$20.31
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Great Women Of Song (CD)
Dinah Washington: Great Women Of Song (CD) Art-Nr.: CDB0038237

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(Verve Records) 14 tracks Dinah Washington was one of those singers who - as Duke Ellington would have said - was simply "beyond all categories". Her subtle and inventive renditions of jazz standards have secured her a place of honor in...
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Badman Jackson, That´s Me (CD)
Bull Moose Jackson: Badman Jackson, That´s Me (CD) Art-Nr.: CDCHARLY274

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(Charly Records) 22 tracks King Federal Recordings 1945-1955
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It's All Over (CD)
Ike & Tina Turner: It's All Over (CD) Art-Nr.: CDSGP058

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(Prestige Elite) 16 tracks With Ike's innovative musical arrangements and Tina's powerful vocals, they forged a unique path in music. Their dynamic live shows were legendary and are still talked about with reverence today. They took the...
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The Classic Years (CD)
Ike & Tina Turner: The Classic Years (CD) Art-Nr.: CDSGP01759

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(Prestige Elite) 20 tracks Ike & Tina Turner, a legendary American musical duo, are celebrated for their electrifying performances, their influential contributions to the world of rock 'n' roll and their ability to get audiences...
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Rock The House - The Birth Of Rock'n'Roll Vol.4 (2-CD)
Various: Rock The House - The Birth Of Rock'n'Roll Vol.4... Art-Nr.: CDCP8355

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(Charly) 50 tracks, late 1940s (142:95) 2x16 page booklets of notes (english) and photos. Nice cardboard-slipcase packaging.
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Roy Brown - Rocks (CD)
Roy Brown: Roy Brown - Rocks (CD) Art-Nr.: BCD17749

This product will be released at 5 April 2024

1-CD Digipak with 36-page booklet, 30 tracks. Total playing time approx. 79 min. Roy Brown, one of the all-time greats of early rhythm 'n' blues and jointly responsible for the breakthrough success of rock and roll - ROCKS! His Good...
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What A Diffrence A Day Makes (CD)
Esther Phillips: What A Diffrence A Day Makes (CD) Art-Nr.: CD071023

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(CBS) 8 tracks - The original CTI recordings, digitally remastered for Compact Disc - Recorded April, 1975 at Van Gelder Studios - Album originally released in 1975. Early pressing made in Japan for the U.S. market
$13.52 $22.58
Give My Heart A Break - The Complete King Recordings (CD)
Bobby Freeman: Give My Heart A Break - The Complete King... Art-Nr.: CDCHD1232

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(ACE Records) 18 Tracks - 1960-1961, with 16 page booklet - It’s true to say that most of the major rock’n’roll and R&B names from the 1950s have had the majority of their work digitised by now – many of them several times over. It’s...
$14.44 $19.18
Destination Jail Vol. 2 - 24 More Songs From Behind The Bars (CD)
Various Artists: Destination Jail Vol. 2 - 24 More Songs From... Art-Nr.: BCD17709

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1-CD with 12-page booklet, 24 tracks. Total playing time approx. 70 min. With 'Destination Jail, Vol. 2', Bear Family Records® offers another intriguing collection of blues and rhythm & blues obscurities and classics from the '40s to the...
$11.26
Four Albums On Two Discs (2-CD)
Jimmy James And The Vagabonds: Four Albums On Two Discs (2-CD) Art-Nr.: CDBGO1432

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(BGO Records) 47 tracks, digipack in slipcase and with extensive new notes Disc 1 - The New Religion + London Swings 'Live At The Marquee Club' + This Is Jimmy James & The Vagabonds Disc 2 - Open Up Your Soul The albums of Jamaican-born...
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Bear Family Records Rocks Vol. 1 (CD)
Various: Bear Family Records Rocks Vol. 1 (CD) Art-Nr.: BCD17734

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1-CD (Digipak) with 36 -page booklet, 30 tracks. Total playing time approx. 79 min. With more than 70 CD releases since 2002, the 'Rocks' series on Bear Family Records® is one of the most successful and extensive in our catalog....
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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 - slipcase packaging
$5.66 $16.92
I Was Made To Love Her - The Collection (CD)
Stevie Wonder: I Was Made To Love Her - The Collection (CD) Art-Nr.: CDSPEC2060

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(Spectrum) 12 tracks
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Blow, Big Jay, Blow (2-CD)
Big Jay McNeely: Blow, Big Jay, Blow (2-CD) Art-Nr.: CDADD3480

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(Acrobat) 53 tracks Big Jay McNeely was one of the pioneers of the "honking" style of tenor saxophone playing in 1950s R&B and rock'n'roll- High quality 2-CD set of 53 tracks consisting of A and B sides from his singles released on the...
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Release Me - The Sss And Pacemakersides 1966-1973 (CD)
Johnny Adams: Release Me - The Sss And Pacemakersides... Art-Nr.: CDPBCD016

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(Playback Records) 26 tracks All the original recordings released on the SSS and Pacemaker labels between 1966 and 1973 are collected here, including the unforgettable hit singles "Reconsider Me" and "Release Me", as well as some tracks...
$22.58
Kansas City - Rhythm & Blues Classics (CD)
Various: Kansas City - Rhythm & Blues Classics (CD) Art-Nr.: CDE609AG

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(The Bear) 15 tracks
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The Memphis Blues Box - Original Recordings 1914–1969 (20-CD Deluxe Box Set)
Various: The Memphis Blues Box - Original Recordings... Art-Nr.: BCD17515

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20-CD box set (32 x 32 x 4,5 cms) with 360-page hardcover book, 534 tracks. Total playing time approx. 25 hrs. 20min. The Blues – the iconic music that changed everything! Memphis – the iconic city where it happened! And now – the...
$282.87
The Ed Sullivan Years - Rhythm & Blues Revue (CD)
Various: The Ed Sullivan Years - Rhythm & Blues Revue (CD) Art-Nr.: CDTVT9447

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(TVT) 13 tracks (32:05) 1955-1970 with 12 page booklet by Paul Williams (Crawdaddy Magazine). Bo Diddley on TV 1955!
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The Bigger The Pompadour ... - His Complete Recordings 1959-66 (2-CD)
Wayne Cochran: The Bigger The Pompadour ... - His Complete... Art-Nr.: BCD17744

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2-CD (Digisleeve) with 36 page booklet, 42 tracks. Total playing time approx. 130 min. Wayne Cochran (1939 - 2017) from Georgia, also called 'The White Knight of Soul', is remembered for his white pompadour hairstyle and the brilliant...
$19.18
On The Dancefloor With A Fingersnap - 31 Pops To Make The Party Shake! (CD)
Various: On The Dancefloor With A Fingersnap - 31 Pops... Art-Nr.: BCD17718

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1-CD (Digipak) with 36 page booklet, 31 tracks. Total playing time approx. 79 min. In the CD series 'On The Dancefloor With ...' featuring the best danceable music, Bear Family Records® here deals with those songs that are accompanied by...
$18.05
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Are You One Of Jay's Kids ? - The Complete Bizarre Sessions 1990-1994 (2-CD)
Screamin' Jay Hawkins: Are You One Of Jay's Kids ? - The Complete... Art-Nr.: CDEDSL022

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(Edsel Records) 44 tracks - Digipac 16 page booklet Two CD set that compiles the '90s musical legacy of rock 'n' roll wild man Screamin' Jay Hawkins. The set collates all 44 of the raving songs recorded by the late, legendary vocalist by...
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British Soul Power - Soul Mining In The 6t's (3-CD)
Various: British Soul Power - Soul Mining In The 6t's... Art-Nr.: CDRUB3BOX17

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(Rubble) 87 tracks, 3 CD's Of Solid Soul Dynamite!!! British Soul Power recalls the heyday of soul and R&B - a groundbreaking set of explosive 60's soul dynamite that will have the dance floor buzzing. Superb and professionally...
$37.29
R&B Hipshakers Vol.3 - Just A Little Bit Of The Jumpin' Bean (2-LP)
Various: R&B Hipshakers Vol.3 - Just A Little Bit Of The... Art-Nr.: LPVAMPO161

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(Vampi Soul) 20 tracks Third edition of our "R&B Hipshakers" series featuring rockin' R&B and early soul from the King / Federal catalog. Available on LP for the first time. A special Record Store Day release. A compilation of tracks...
$31.63
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