James Booker

The Ivory Emperor, 1954-1962

Soul Jam

‘The best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced,’ says Dr John.
The first half of this disc gathers all the sevens Booker cut under his own name at the start of his career, for labels like Imperial, Chess, Ace and Peacock, already evincing his inimitable blend of R&B, gospel, blues, boogie woogie and jazz. The second half features legends like Dave Bartholomew and Joe Tex, during the same period, with Booker as sideman. The likes of Lee Allen, Alvin ‘Red’ Tyler chip in.

• Doing The Ham Bone
• Thinkin' About My Baby
• You're Near Me
• Heavenly Angel
• Teen Age Rock
• Gonzo
• Cool Turkey
• Smacksie
• Kinda Happy
• Tubby (part 1)
• Tubby (part 2)
• Cross My Heart
• Big Nick
• Open The Door - Joe Tex
• Dear Angel - Amos Milburn
• If I Could Be With You - Amos Milburn
• You're On My Mind Little - Junior Parker
• The Next Time Little - Junior Parker
• Yeah Yeah - Dave Bartholomew
• I'm Old Enough - Shirley & Lee
• Together We Stand - Shirley & Lee
• The Duck - Earl Forest
• The Crown - Earl Forest
• Always A First Time - Earl King
• Love Me Now - Earl King