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Big Maybelle Smith was one of the coterie of powerful female blues and R&B singers who lit up the scene during the post-war decades, the highlight coming in her appearance in the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival movie documentary Jazz On A Summers Day. Coming from a gospel-singing background in Tennessee, she recorded for the King, Okeh and Savoy labels, scoring Top 10 R&B hits with songs like Gabbin Man, Way BackHome and My Country Man, as well as recording the original version of Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On, later covered by Jerry Lee Lewis. This 2-CD set comprises all her A and B sides for those label from her solo debut for King in 1947 through to 1961, along with the tracks from her two albums for Savoy which were not otherwise released on singles. Its a thorough trawl through her core career, and is a worthy tribute to a highly distinctive and influential entertainer. It comes with substantial booklet notes including full recording session and personnel details.
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