Huey Smith - Having a Good Time (Great Rockin' Album US 1959)

Size: 130 MB
Bitrate: 256
mp3
Ripped by: ChriusGoesRock
Artwork Included
Source: Japan 24-Bit Remaster

Huey "Piano" Smith was an important part of the great New Orleans piano tradition, following in the footsteps of Professor Longhair and Fats Domino to take his place among the Crescent City's R&B elite. He was also one of R&B's great comedians, his best singles matching the Coasters for genial, good-time humor, although his taste often ran more towards nonsense lyrics. Smith's sound was too earthy to match the pop crossover appeal of Domino or the Coasters, which limited his exposure, and he couldn't match the latter's amazing consistency, lacking their reliable supply of material. But at the peak of his game, Smith epitomized New Orleans R&B at its most infectious and rollicking, as showcased on his classic signature tune "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu."

This 25-track, single-disc compilation is the first proposed installment of Huey and the Clowns' tenure with the Jackson, Mississippi-based Ace label, home to his biggest hits. Kicking off with parts one and two of his first hit, "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" (although the second part used here seems one overdub away from the single version issued), more obscure but equally worthwhile items like "Little Liza Jane," "Just a Lonely Clown," "Would You Believe It (I Have a Cold)" and "She Got Low Down" sit comfortably next to the hits ("High Blood Pressure," "Don't You Just Know It," "Tu-Ber-Cu-Lucas and the Sinus Blues," "Don't You Know Yockomo" and "Pop-Eye"), making this volume a perfect introduction to the music of this Crescent City genius. Transfers are as crisp as you could ask for, and the packaging and liner notes are equally fine. (from AMG)

Although the later cuts seem to go into a more basic blues vein, the cream of the crop are the first dozen or so cuts. I have never as an adult felt more of a sense of giddy fun than when listening to "We Like Birdland," "Well I'll Be John Brown," "Don't You Just Know It,"etc. There is a dense heavy sound to the cuts, but don't let that fool you. Huey and his Clowns are there to have fun, and don't you forget it! The lyrics are basically nonsense, but that rhythm section is awesome, really tight. It's hard to explain what makes this band so great, but maybe it is their ability to have so much fun while playing some really funky, but silly, New Orleans style piano based rock'n'roll. If you are ever in the mood to just let go, act about ten years old, and yet feel funky at the same time, this is the album for you. Don't think any deep thoughts, just party! 

01.Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu Part 1
02.Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu Part 2
03.Little Liza Jane
04.Everybody's Whalin'
05.Free, Single And Disengaged
06.Just A Lonely Clown
07.Don't You Just Know It
08.High Blood Pressure
09.We Like Birdland
10.Havin' A Good Time
11.Don't You Know Yockomo
12.Well I'll Be John Brown
13.Would You Believe It (I Have A Cold)
14.Genevieve
15.Tu-Ber-Cu-Lucas And The Sinus Blues
16.Dearest Darling
17.Beatnik Blues
18.For Cryin' Out Loud
19.She Got Low Down
20.Mean Mean Man
21.Pop-Eye
22.Scald-Dog
23.Little Chickie Wah Wah
24.I Think You're Jiving Me

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