Known as the Piano Prince of New Orleans, James Booker was one of the cornerstones and most colourful characters in the Crescent City. He was a distinctive keyboardist who mixed R&B, gospel, blues, boogie-woogie, and traditional & modern jazz into a uniquely funky and breathtaking sound. This CD includes all of the singles Booker made as a leader in the beginning of his career for different labels such as Imperial, Chess, Ace, and Peacock.
THE BANDS: James Booker - piano, organ, and occasional vocals, plus: Lee Allen (tenor sax), Robert Parker (alto sax), Alvin Red Tyler (baritone sax), Frank Fields (bass), Earl Palmer, Charles Hungry Williams (drums), among others. Recorded in New Orleans, Houston, and Chicago, between 1954 and 1962.
1. Doin' the Hambone
2. Thinkin' About My Baby
3. You're Near Me
4. Heavenly Angel
5. Teen Age Rock
6. Gonzo
7. Cool Turkey
8. Smacksie
9. Kinda Happy
10. Tubby
11. Tubby (pt. 2)
12. Cross MY Heart
13. Big Nick
14. Open The Door- JOE TEX
15. Dear Angel- AMOS MILBURN
16. If I Could Be With You- AMOS MILBURN
17. You're On My Mind- LITTLE JR. PARKER
18. The Next Time- LITTLE JR. PARKER
19. Yeah Yeah- DAVE BARTHOLOMEW
20. I'm Old Enough- SHIRLEY & LEE
21. Together We Stand- SHIRLEY & LEE
22. The Duck- EARL FOREST
23. The Crown- EARL FOREST
24. Always A First Time- EARL KING
25. Love Me Now- EARL KING
