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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I'll Be Right on Down: The Modern Recordings 1947-1953
Blues - Released by ACE RECORDS on 30 jun. 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ain't Nobody's Business !
Wereldmuziek - Released by TP4 Music on 6 jan. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best Vintage Selection - Jimmy Witherspoon
Blues - Released by Retro Music Box on 20 okt. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Goin' To Kansas City Blues
Blues - Released by Roots on 1 nov. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
No Rollin' Blues
Blues - Released by Blues Pleasure on 11 apr. 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Funny Barber Shop
Jazz - Released by Funny Barber on 20 mrt. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Feelin' the Sprit
Jimmy Witherspoon, Randy Van Horn Singers
Gospel - Released by HIFI Records on 2 jun. 1959
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Back 2 Back Swing
Herbie Mann, Al Hirt, Jimmy Witherspoon, Alex Welsh
Jazz - Released by Music Manager on 28 jul. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Greatest Hits Collection
Blues - Released by Music Manager on 7 mei 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ain't Nobody's Business
Blues - Released by Ap music on 5 sep. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Once There Lived A Fool
Blues - Released by Diamond Days on 5 mei 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ain't Nobody's Business
Blues - Released by Diamond Days on 5 mei 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Highway To Happiness
Blues - Released by Diamond Days on 5 mei 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo