The Best of Amos Milburn

Born in 1927, Amos Milburn was a Houston, Texas boogie-woogie, r'n'b pianist who became popular in the 40's and 50's with a series of jump-blues drinking songs. Leading the way with his pumpin' piano and soulful voice, he was backed by a wailin' sax, bass and drums and created a sound imitated by Little Willie Littlefield, Floyd Dixon and especially Fats Domino.

Moving to LA and Aladdin Records, Milburn produced more than 75 sides and this CD gives a good overview of his output and truly does include some of his top numbers. "Chicken Shack Boogie" was one of his first hits - included here in a slower 1948 version and a r'n'r-styled 1956 take - and from here he moved into a list of fantastic, partying, drinking songs - "Let Me Go Home, Whiskey", "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer" (one of his best known tunes), and "Bad, Bad Whiskey", which topped the r'n'b chart and started the trend.

He also recorded several songs based on "Chicken Shack Boogie", such as "Roomin' House Boogie" and "Sax Shack Boogie", which were jumpin' tunes that certainly would get any crowd dancing! There are several other boogie-ing, cool, pre-r'n'r numbers on this all-too-short CD.

Hardly a complete review of this man, but a great start which will certainly make you want to look for more!