Jimmy Witherspoon
One of the great blues singers of the post-World War II period, Jimmy Witherspoon was also versatile enough to fit comfortably into the jazz world. Witherspoon was born on August 8, 1920 in Gurdon, Arizona. As a child, he sang in a church choir, and he made his debut recordings with Jay McShann for Philo and Mercury in 1945 and 1946. His own first recordings, using McShann's band, resulted in a number one R&B hit in 1949 with "Ain't Nobody's Business, Pts. 1 & 2" on Supreme Records. Live performances of "No Rollin' Blues" and "Big Fine Girl" provided 'Spoon with two more hits in 1950.
The mid-'50s were a lean time, with his style of shouting blues temporarily out of fashion; singles were tried for Federal, Chess, Atco, Vee Jay, and others, with little success. Jimmy Witherspoon at the Monterey Jazz Festival (HiFi Jazz) from 1959 lifted him back into the limelight. Partnerships with Ben Webster or Groove Holmes were recorded, and he toured Europe in 1961 with Buck Clayton, performing overseas many more times in the decades to follow. Witherspoon's best 1960s recording is generally considered to be Evening Blues (Prestige), which features T-Bone Walker on guitar and Clifford Scott on saxophone.
As the '70s began, Witherspoon decided to take a short break from live performances, settled in Los Angeles, took a job as a disc jockey, and continued making records. In 1971, Witherspoon teamed up with former Animals vocalist Eric Burdon for the album Guilty. By 1973, Witherspoon was ready to get back on the road and assembled a band featuring a young Robben Ford on lead guitar. Those live shows had received positive reviews, rejuvenating Witherspoon's move toward a definite rock/soul sound. He traveled to London in 1974 to record Love Is a Five Letter Word with British blues producer Mike Vernon, who had produced critically acclaimed British blues albums by John Mayall, Fleetwood Mac, and Ten Years After. By the early '80s, Witherspoon was diagnosed with throat cancer. Although he remained active and was a popular concert attraction, the effect of the disease on his vocals was obvious. Witherspoon passed away on September 18, 1997 at the age of 77.
© Bob Porter, Scott Yanow & Al Campbell /TiVo
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1947-1948
Blues - Editado por Classics Blues & Rhythm Series el 4 ago. 2008
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In Person (Olympia Concert) [Remastered]
Jazz - Editado por Avid Entertainment el 9 mar. 2014
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Jazz Spotlight - Jimmy Witherspoon
Jazz - Editado por GTUK el 14 dic. 2021
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Goin' To Chicago
Blues - Editado por Collecting Records OMP el 1 ene. 2007
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Late Night Jazz N' Blues Greats
Jazz - Editado por Stardust el 1 ene. 2008
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Spoon - Live At Condon's, New York
Blues - Editado por Synergie OMP el 9 oct. 2007
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Jimmy Witherspoon Selected Favorites
R&B - Editado por Charly Records el 20 jun. 2006
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Spoon in Australia (Live)
Jimmy Witherspoon, Peter Gaudion's Blues Express
Jazz - Editado por Music Manager el 31 ago. 2020
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The Ultimate Jazz Archive 16 (2 Of 4)
Jazz - Editado por Carinco AG el 18 feb. 2007
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Take Me Back Baby
Jazz vocal - Editado por Jazz Arena el 8 oct. 2014
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Cold Blooded Boogie
Blues - Editado por Night Train International el 1 jul. 1995
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Hittin' The Blue Notes, Volume 2
Jazz - Editado por Origin Records el 15 mar. 2005
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Good Rockin' Tonight
Jazz - Editado por Maestro Entertainment, Corp el 4 jun. 2014
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Jazz Figures / Jimmy Witherspoon (1950-1951)
Jazz - Editado por Collector Records Greece el 2 ene. 2007
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1948-1949
Blues - Editado por Classics Blues & Rhythm Series el 4 ago. 2008
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Live at Condon's 1990 (Live)
Jazz - Editado por Good Time Records el 24 may. 1990
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How I Hate To See Christmas Come Around
Blues - Editado por Tuff City Records el 1 ene. 1954
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1950-1951
Blues - Editado por Classics Blues & Rhythm Series el 4 ago. 2008
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Jimmy Witherspoon - A Collection of Great Songs
Blues - Editado por First Mile Recordings el 4 dic. 2015
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Feelin' The Spirit
Gospel - Editado por Legacy International el 1 ene. 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo