The Singles Collection 1945-55

Johnny Moores Three Blazers were one of the most distinctive and stylish R&B groups of the post-war era, specialising in a smooth jazz-flavoured style of music similar to the approach pioneered by Nat King Coles King Cole Trio during the early and mid-1940s. Led by guitarist Johnny Moore, and featuring various vocalists, the most successful and illustrious being Charles Brown, they enjoyed a succession of R&B hits in the decade which spanned the latter years of the 40s and the first half of the 1950s. They were unusual in that Moore refused to sign an exclusive recording contract, so they recorded for a variety of labels, with their output for different imprints sometimes being released in parallel. This great-value 74-track 3-CD set comprises selected A and B sides for the Atlas, Philo, Aladdin, Modern, Exclusive, RCA and Hollywood labels during this era, presented broadly in chronological order of their recording. It features all their sixteen career hits, including their No. 1 with Floyd Dixon Telephone Blues and their Top 5 classics Driftin Blues, So Long, Sunny Road, Changeable Woman, Merry Christmas Baby, New Orleans Blues, and More Than You Know as well as ten other Top 10 hits. As well as their many recordings with Charles Brown before he embarked on a successful solo career, featured vocalists include Ivory Joe Hunter, Floyd Dixon, Billy Valentine, Lee Barnes, Mari Jones and Frankie Ervin. Its a very classy and entertaining cross-section of their work across their various different line-ups. REVIEWS “Highly recommended for late night, preferably with a nice bottle of wine…” **** – John Howard (Vintage Rock Issue 42) “This is a generously filled 75 track compilation.” – Gerry Stonestreet (In Tune Issue 327) “There are perhaps a few too many syrupy ballads for my taste in this connection, but Acrobat have worked hard to vary the mood throughout the three discs mixing up ballads, boogie, blues and jump numbers together with a variety of singers. What cannot be denied is the superb quality of the musicianship of the pianists and guitarists throughout the collection and if you are in the right mood it provides some mighty fine listening.” – Fred Rothwell (Blues & Rhythm Issue 342)