The Singles Collection 1947-62

Eddie Boyd was a blues pianist, singer and songwriter who made his primary impact on the Chicago scene during the 1940s and ‘50s, before becoming a popular figure in the American Folk Blues tours of Europe during the ‘60s and beyond. Born on the same Mississippi plantation as Muddy Waters, and a half-brother of Memphis Slim, he moved to Memphis in the late ‘30s and in 1941 headed for Chicago, working in steel mills to finance his music activities. He played on many musicians’ sessions, and from 1947 recorded under his own name, initially for RCA, but subsequently for Regal, J.O.B., Herald and most notably Chess, before working with several other labels at the start of the ‘60s. His combination of boogie and jazz-tinged styles brought him an R&B No. 1 in 1952 with “Five Long Years” and subsequent Top 3 R&B hits with “24 Hours” and “Third Degree”. This great-value 50-track 2-CD set comprises selected A and B sides from the 66 tracks he released on singles across this era for the RCA-Victor, J.O.B., Herald, Chess, Bea & Baby, Keyhole, Mojo & Art-Tone labels, and so represents a solid cross-section of his work. It’s a entertaining showcase for his ability to work across the blues spectrum, from moody slow blues to fine rocking blues alongside some of Chicago’s best musicians, and it’s an enlightening introduction to an underrated bluesman who merits a great deal more attention than he has received over the years.