Various Artists Beale Street Beats, Vol. 2 - Soul House (LP, 10inch, 45rpm)

 

Memphis-based Home of the Blues Records cooked up more than its share of blistering singles during its all-too-brief early '60s lifespan. Headed by Ruben Cherry (owner of a famous record store of the same handle on Beale Street where Elvis and Johnny Cash shopped) and his aunt, Celia G. Camp, HOTB specialized in tough, horn-driven Memphis R&B tightly arranged by its house bandleader, trumpeter Willie Mitchell. Its talent roster was split between veteran stars (Roy Brown, The ‘5’ Royales) and big-voiced obscurities that included New Orleans emigre Dave Dixon and Charles James, whose infectious rendition of One Mint Julep for HOTB's affiliated Zab logo is one of the myriad highlights of Bear Family's 10-inch vinyl LP 'Soul House.' 

The 5 Royales' Catch That Teardrop and Willie Cobbs' original You Don't Love Me (later revived by The Allman Brothers) are here as well, along with hard-to-find gems by Jimmy Dotson, Billy Adams, and Bill Yates. The instrumental title track is a dazzling showcase for Royales guitarist Lowman Pauling's slashing fretwork.

Please, note: also available - V/A: Beale Street Beats, Vol. 1 - Home Of The Blues (BAF14016)