Jimmy McCracklin formed the first line-up of his BLUES BLASTERS in 1946, with guitarist Robert Kelton, who was replaced by Lafayette Thomas in 1949.The band carved out a well earned reputation initially in the Bay Area and then throughout the US. This compilation anthologises McCracklin’s earliest recordings, between 1945-51, including pre-Blues Blasters sides, for a wide raft of different record labels. It is the prequel to another Jimmy McCracklin Jasmine 2-CD set, “Hear My Story” (JASMCD3080), which picked up his recording career from 1952.
DISC ONE 1. MISS MATTIE LEFT ME 2. MEAN MISTREATED LOVER 3. HIGHWAY 101 4. BABY DON’T YOU WANT TO GO 5. ACHIN’ HEART 6. STREET LOAFIN’ WOMAN 7. YOU DECEIVED ME 8. OLA MAY 9. SHE’S A WINO 10. ROCK AND RYE (part 1) 11. ROCK AND RYE (part 2) 12. YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE 13. SPECIAL FOR YOU 14. ROCK AND RYE 15. MISS MINNIE LEE BLUES 16. BAD LUCK AND TROUBLE 17. RAILROAD BLUES 18. JIMMY’S BLUES 19. PLAYIN’ ON ME 20. BIG FOOT MAMA 21. WHEN I’M GONE 22. SOUTH SIDE MOOD (inst) 23. LISTEN WOMAN 24. I CAN’T UNDERSTAND LOVE 25. BAD CONDITION BLUES 26. BLUES BLASTERS SHUFFLE (inst) 27. LOW DOWN MOOD DISC TWO 1. SHE’S MY BABY 2. LOVE WHEN IT RAINS 3. YOUR HEART AIN’T RIGHT 4. JUST WON’T LET HER GO 5. ROCKIN’ ALL DAY (Reelin’ And Rockin’) 6. I THINK MY TIME IS HERE 7. DECEIVIN’ BLUES 8. BEER DRINKIN’ WOMAN 9. UP AND DOWN BLUES 10. GOTTA CUT OUT 11. BAD HEALTH BLUES 12. YOU DECEIVED ME 13. RAGGED AS A MOP (Hamburger Joint) 14. DON’T MISTREAT ME (My Life Depends On You) 15. GONNA FIND ANOTHER WOMAN 16. LOOKING FOR A WOMAN 17. YOU DON’T LOVE ME 18. I’M GONNA HAVE MY FUN 19. TRUE LOVE BLUES 20. ROCKIN’ MAN 21. WHAT’S YOUR PHONE NUMBER 22. THAT’S LIFE 23. BLUES FOR THE PEOPLE (Melancholy Evening) (inst) 24. I FOUND THAT WOMAN (Blues For The People) 25. HOUSE ROCKIN’ BLUES 26. MOVIN’ ON DOWN THE LINE 27. I AM TIRED
