Jimmy Liggins And His Drops Of Joy – Jimmy Liggins And His Drops Of Joy – Specialty Records SPCD 7005

This 25-cut 1990 CD collection from Specialty Records’ The Legends Of Specialty Series, with superb liner notes by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Billy Vera, is chock-full of Liggins’ timeless classics that were laid down for Art Rupe’s label during his extremely productive 1947-1954 period. 

Mainstays of the Jimmy Liggins sound are found across the expanse of this completely satisfying compilation, including his astounding “Drunk,” “I Can’t Stop It,” and “Cadillac Boogie,” a 1948 selection that set the stage for Jackie Brenston And His Delta Cats’ famed classic “Rocket “88”,” a song released in early 1951 that is often heralded as the first rock-n-roll output.

This is jump blues and R&B at its finest, with Liggins and crew being the architects for later ground-breaking artists including none other than Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and Bill Haley. 

Though never releasing a full album during his career, such was Liggins’ appeal that a second volume in this series exists.  His offerings found regular rotation on Black radio outlets and, even after he left Specialty Records for the Mesner brothers’ Aladdin label, his brilliance continued to shine.

Highly recommended!