The extraordinary success of Chess Records was founded upon the groundbreaking guitar-charged tracks laid down by bluesmen Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Robert Lockwood Jr., Sonny Boy Williamson, and Buddy Guy, plus rockers Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, with the piano playing a supporting role in their ensembles. But this comprehensive two-CD offering reminds us of the many 88-key blues classics Chess released as well. Popular piano men Eddie Boyd and Willie Mabon are featured here with studio stalwarts Otis Spann and Lafayette Leake. Boyd leads off with slow stunners "24 Hours" and "Third Degree," which heavily influenced the 1960s British blues scene, and the surprisingly upbeat "Just a Fool". The stylish Mabon, more entertainer than bluesman, is represented by his big jump-blues hits "I Don't Know" and "I'm Mad," followed by four cuts from the masterly Spann and three superb instrumental tracks by the mysterious Leake. --Alan Greenberg

Label:      Chess – CHD2-9385, MCA Records – CHD2-9385

Series:     The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection

Format:     2 x CD, Compilation

Country:    US

Released:   1997

Genre:      Blues

Style:      Piano Blues

NEVER BEEN PLAYED

TRACKLIST:

Disc: 1

1     24 Hours - Eddie Boyd

2     Got Lonesome Here - Eddie Boyd

3     I Got The Blues - Eddie Boyd

4     I Began To Sing The Blues - Eddie Boyd

5     Rosa Lee Swing - Eddie Boyd

6     Blues For Baby - Eddie Boyd

7     Hard Time Gettin' Started - Eddie Boyd

8     Third Degree - Eddie Boyd

9     Just A Fool - Eddie Boyd

10    Rattin' And Running Around - Eddie Boyd

11    Hush Baby, Don't You Cry - Eddie Boyd

12    Instrumental (Take 2) - Eddie Boyd

13    Picture In The Frame - Eddie Boyd

14    Nothing But Trouble - Eddie Boyd

15    Got Me Seein' Double - Eddie Boyd

16    What's The Matter Baby? - Eddie Boyd

17    Life Gets To Be A Burden - Eddie Boyd

18    Hotel Blues - Eddie Boyd

19    Come On Home - Eddie Boyd

20    Five Long Years - Eddie Boyd

21    It Must Have Been The Devil - Otis Spann

22    Five Spot - Otis Spann

23    I'm Leaving You - Otis Spann

24    I'm In Love With You Baby - Otis Spann

Disc: 2

1     I Don't Know - Willie Mabon

2     Worry Blues - Willie Mabon

3     I'm Mad - Willie Mabon

4     Got To Have It - Willie Mabon

5     Monday Woman - Willie Mabon

6     I Got To Go - Willie Mabon

7     Life Could Be Miserable - Willie Mabon

8     Late Again - Willie Mabon

9     Willie's Blues - Willie Mabon

10    Say Man - Willie Mabon

11    Poison Ivy - Willie Mabon

12    Wow! I Feel So Good - Willie Mabon

13    The Seventh Son - Willie Mabon

14    Lucinda - Willie Mabon

15    Someday You Will Have To Pay - Willie Mabon

16    He Lied - Willie Mabon

17    Knock On Wood - Willie Mabon

18    I Love My Baby - Willie Mabon

19    Slow Leake - Lafayette Leake

20    Wrinkles (Live) - Lafayette Leake

21    Swiss Boogie (Live) - Lafayette Leake