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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Groove Jumping! & Still Groove Jumping! (2-CD)
Various - Groove Records: Groove Jumping! & Still Groove Jumping! (2-CD) Art-Nr.: BCD17388BU

Ready to ship today, delivery time** appr. 1-3 workdays

2-CD Digipak with 44-page booklet, 30 tracks. Total playing time approx. 76 minutes 2-CD digipak reissue of classic 1983 vinyl LP. Containing 14 sizzling R&B rockers from the vaults of Groove Records , RCA Victor's legendary mid-1950s...
$11.85 $36.10
A Message From The People (CD)
Ray Charles: A Message From The People (CD) Art-Nr.: CDTRC21222

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(Tangerine Records) 10 tracks, digisleeve Released in 1972, A Message From The People remains one of Charles' most famous albums and the most socially conscious work of his six-decade career. The record directly addresses societal ills...
$20.31
Singles Collection 1945-52 (3-CD)
Johnny Moore's Three Blazers: Singles Collection 1945-52 (3-CD) Art-Nr.: CDACTR9079

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(Acrobat) 75 tracks. Under the direction of guitarist Johnny Moore and with various singers, including the most successful and famous pianist Charles Brown, they experienced a series of R&B hits in the decade that spanned the last years...
$22.58
Life, Love & Faith, Southern Night, Motion (2-CD)
Allen Toussaint: Life, Love & Faith, Southern Night, Motion (2-CD) Art-Nr.: CDBGO1211

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(2015/BGO) 32 tracks. Digitally remastered two CD set containing the late, great Toussaint's three Warner Reprise releases, dating from 1972, 1973 and 1978. The New Orleans singer, songwriter and producer is one of the legends of black...
$21.45
At Last -The Best Of Etta James (CD)
Etta James: At Last -The Best Of Etta James (CD) Art-Nr.: CD5380843

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(Decca) 25 tracks In many ways, Etta James resembled a female Ray Charles, for she knew how to embrace (and sometimes combine) all the currents of American popular music - from rock & roll to R&B, blues, country, gospel, jazz, and even...
$11.26 $19.18
Bo Diddley - Rocks (CD)
Bo Diddley: Bo Diddley - Rocks (CD) Art-Nr.: BCD17551

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1-CD (Digipak) with 36-page booklet, 28 tracks. Total playing time approx. 79 min. 28 original Bo Diddley Checker recordings from Chicago. One of the most important discs in Bear Family Records’® Rocks series. Including 3 Top 5 R&B hits:...
$17.27 $19.18
All Time Greats (2-CD)
Dinah Washington: All Time Greats (2-CD) Art-Nr.: CD5390601

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(UMC) 40 tracks
$11.26
Hank Ballard - Rocks (CD)
Hank Ballard & The Midnighters: Hank Ballard - Rocks (CD) Art-Nr.: BCD17580

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1-CD (Digipak) with 36-page booklet, 30 tracks. Total playing time approx. 79 min. It was Hank Ballard who, with his band, created The Twist in the late '50s, the greatest dance theme yet invented. Bear Family Records® now dedicates a CD...
$17.27 $19.18
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The Gone Story - George Goldner Presents (2-CD)
Various: The Gone Story - George Goldner Presents (2-CD) Art-Nr.: CDWESD206

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(Westside) 65 tracks - 51 artists, 1957-1964. Legendary New York City R&B, Doo Wop, Rock'n'Roll
$32.55 $45.21
City Lights (CD)
Dr. John: City Lights (CD) Art-Nr.: CDMOC14186

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(Music On CD) 8 tracks As Dr. John The Night Tripper, he was one of the revelations of the three-day Holland Festival in 1970 (the European equivalent of Woodstock). As a studio musician, he recorded hundreds of albums, from the Rolling...
$14.66
Blue Soul Belles Vol.4 - Judy Clay & Marie Knight (CD)
Judy Clay & Marie Knight: Blue Soul Belles Vol.4 - Judy Clay & Marie... Art-Nr.: CDWESA897

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(WestSide) 25 Tracks - From the vaults of LaVette, Scepter and Musicor. New York City Soul from Judy Clay and Marie Knight, a further proof that the best singers are church trained!
$25.97 $28.24
Take Care Of Business - The Constalation Masters 1963-1966 (CD)
Dee Clark: Take Care Of Business - The Constalation... Art-Nr.: CDWESA805

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(Westside) 17 tracks Dee Clark was one of the most important figures of the Chicago R&B/Soul Scene in the late '50s and throughout the '60s, influencing many of those who followed in his wake such as Gene Chandler, Major Lance and Curtis...
$28.24
Super Rare Electric Blues -  '60s Era (2-CD)
Various: Super Rare Electric Blues - '60s Era (2-CD) Art-Nr.: CDRB3254

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(Rockbeat) 50 tracks - digisleeve.
$27.10
Damp Rag - The Killa Dilla From Columbus, Ohio (LP & CD, 10inch, 45rpm)
Stomp Gordon: Damp Rag - The Killa Dilla From Columbus, Ohio... Art-Nr.: BAF14023

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1-LP vinyl (10inch) with 8-page booklet, bonus CD, postcard. 10 tracks (LP), 22 tracks (CD). Total playing time approx. 28 min. (LP), approx. 70 min. (CD). It is one of the fundamental principles of Bear Family Records® to give room to...
$26.44 $33.89
Jimmy McCracklin - Rocks (CD)
Jimmy McCracklin: Jimmy McCracklin - Rocks (CD) Art-Nr.: BCD17552

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1-CD (Digipak) with 36-page booklet, 30 tracks. Total playing time approx. 79 minutes. Bear Family Records® adds powerhouse pianist and vocalist Jimmy McCracklin to its 'Rocks' series. For more than 50 years, the Bay Area pianist often...
$17.27 $19.18
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The Complete Pompeii Recordings 1968-1969 (3-CD, Deluxe Edition)
Ike & Tina Turner: The Complete Pompeii Recordings 1968-1969... Art-Nr.: CDCLO0385

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(Goldenlane Records) 33 Tracks - The three complete albums recorded for the Pompeii label 1968-69 are included! Great presented in a small cardboard box with the CDs in paper sleeves, printed with the original record covers (see photo)!
$33.89 $45.21
Sassy Mama - Live At The Rising Sun Celebrity Jazz (CD)
Big Mama Thornton: Sassy Mama - Live At The Rising Sun Celebrity... Art-Nr.: CDJAM91692

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(Justin Time) 8 tracks, digipack
$19.18
Left Behind - Black & White 'Felsted' Rockers (LP & CD, 10inch, 45rpm)
Various: Left Behind - Black & White 'Felsted' Rockers... Art-Nr.: BAF14022

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1 vinyl LP (10") with bonus CD and 16-page booklet. 13 tracks (LP), 34 tracks (CD). Total playing time: approx. 28 min. (LP), approx. 79 min. (CD). Limited deluxe-edition, pressed on orange vinyl with photo postcard. The obscure Felsted...
$26.44 $33.89
Soda Shoppe Rock Vol.2 - Rhythm And Jump Blues (CD)
Various: Soda Shoppe Rock Vol.2 - Rhythm And Jump Blues... Art-Nr.: CDDIG002

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(Dig It) 25 tracks (59:30) - A Rhythm & Blues Dance Party - Wham-A-Lam
$10.14 $20.31
Natural Boogie  (180g Vinyl)
Hound Dog Taylor And The HouseRockers: Natural Boogie (180g Vinyl) Art-Nr.: LP470410

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(Alligator) 11 tracks The classic Alligator track on vinyl - available again for the first time in over 25 years! This reissue of the vinyl pressing of the second album by Hound Dog Taylor and his HouseRockers features fan favorites such...
$39.55
Gospel Time (LP)
Ruth Brown: Gospel Time (LP) Art-Nr.: LP839315-C

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(PolyGram) 11 tracks - Recorded May, 1963 at RCA in Nashville, Tennessee - Produced by Shelby Singleton - Originally sealed stock copy. Cut-out (1cm cut in cover - see picture) Re-issue of the original 'Philips' album
$11.26 $20.31
Blues Is My Middle Name (2-CD)
Ray Charles: Blues Is My Middle Name (2-CD) Art-Nr.: CD502301

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(Music Avenue) 41 tracks, digipack.
$9.00 $19.18
Vol.3 Electric Blues 1960 - 1969 (3-CD)
Various - Electric Blues - Plug It In! Turn It Up!: Vol.3 Electric Blues 1960 - 1969 (3-CD) Art-Nr.: BCD16923

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3-CD Digipak (8-plated) with 172-page booklet, 70 tracks. Total playing time approx. 221 mns . Part three of the most comprehensive history EVER of electrified blues on 12 electrifying CDs! Every significant artist ... every significant...
$41.82 $45.21
Greatest Hits (CD)
Amos Milburn: Greatest Hits (CD) Art-Nr.: CDNEX132

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(Sequel Records) 23 tracks 1946-56 'Aladdin' (65:05)
$22.58
Willie Dixon - Boss Of The Chicago Blues (CD)
Various: Willie Dixon - Boss Of The Chicago Blues (CD) Art-Nr.: CD0614972X

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(Fuel 2000) 18 tracks, 950s to 1970s. Cutout! - Well-researched and compiled album. An overlook over the influence and collaboration of Willie Dixon, the City's most important blues composer, producer, and bass player. Liner notes by...
$9.00 $19.18
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