Various Artists – Blues Piano Orgy – Delmark Records DE-626

Originally released in 1972 as a 12-cut outing, this 1996 rerelease expands to 19 very strong selections from giants of the blues piano category including Speckled Red, Roosevelt Sykes, Sunnyland Slim, Little Brother Montgomery, Memphis Slim, Curtis Jones, and Otis Spann.  These strong, compelling sides were primarily recorded in the 1947-1963 period, with Spann’s selection originating in 1969.

Red’s, Montgomery’s, and Jones’ blues are solo endeavors, with the remaining cuts including support from the likes of Homesick James (guitar, bass), Fred Below (drums), St. Louis Jimmy Oden (vocals), Matt “Guitar” Murphy (guitar), and Ernest Cotton (tenor saxophone), among a few other stellar supporting bluesmen.

Delmark Records’ visionary and founder, Bob Koester, did all a favor with his exceptionally detailed liner notes information.  One could easily argue that this consistently superb collection offered many interested blues piano fans with their first glimpses into the work of the legendary artists profiled here.

Inventive blues piano styles abound, song moods and lyric development are universally intriguing, and across the backdrop of this indispensable compilation, the blues piano innovators highlighted provide a master class of the 88-key instrument’s language.

There is a gap in your blues collection should this one not have a spot on your shelves.

Essential!