|
This second volume gets to the best recordings of Thomas under his own name & with the Blues Blasters. In 1955, Thomas released his third solo single 'The Thing/Weekly Blues', this time on the tiny Trilyte Records label owned by Ollie Hunt. The 'Thing' moniker was a reference to Thomas's acrobatic stage manners. He continued to record with Jimmy McCracklin & His Blues Blasters throughout the 1950s, and his playing on 'Beer Tavern Girl' is some of his finest work behind McCracklin. That guitar break is pure genius! He also did one-off sessions in 1957 and 1958 with Juke Boy Bonner (misspelled Barner) and Big Mama Thornton & The Hi-Tones. Later in 1958, Thomas relocated to New York City, where he worked with piano players Little Brother Montgomery and Memphis Slim. He appears on Montgomery's 'Tasty Blues' LP released in 1961 and Memphis Slim's 'Just Blues' LP, also from 1961 (later reissued as 'Bluesville'). In 1959, he released his fifth solo single, 'Please Come Back To Me/Lafayette's A' Comin', on Savoy with Sammy Price on piano. After his time in New York, Thomas returned to California and collaborated with McCracklin once more, this time contributing to McCracklin's album 'Jimmy McCracklin Sings'. He is also featured on singles by Al & Nettie, Sugar Pie DeSanto and Camille And The Creations....................
|