Lil' Son Jackson Capitol Blues Collection - The Complete Imperial Recordings
2-CD, 1995, Compilation, Special Edition, Digipak

Two-disc, 55-track compilation of material from the first half of the 1950s. This is blues in the transition from the country to the city, and indeed, much of the first disc lacks a rhythm section, although electric guitar is present. Jackson actually sounds considerably more comfortable when working in a Lightnin' Hopkins mode. In fact, the sides with full accompaniment sometimes sound like the band is uncomfortable with band arrangements. On some sides, the drummer seems to have his mind on another session; others boast tentative saxophone that borders on the haphazard. Jackson's subdued, countrified approach actually sounded a bit anachronistic even when these cuts were laid down, though the sloppiness does suit the atypical "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee" knockoff "Get High Everybody." At any rate, it's acceptable but somewhat journeyman stuff with a lack of variation that gets tiresome over the course of several dozen tracks, although some of the band-less sides, like "Thrill Me Baby" (with dreamy slide guitar licks) and "Movin' to the Country," hit a very good groove. ~ Richie Unterberger

Recorded between 1950 and 1954. Includes liner notes by Mark Humphrey.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Personnel includes: Lil' Son Jackson (vocals, guitar); Al Calloway, Boston Smith (piano).

Living Blues (9-10/95, pp.84-86) - "...With this stellar compilation, Capitol producer/compiler Pete Welding grants this late Texas blues great the recognition he's long deserved."

Product Details

Label Capitol Blues Collection
Orig Year 1995
Discs 2
Release Date Jun 20, 1995
Studio/Live: Studio
Mono/Stereo: Mono
Producer Pete Welding (Compilation)
Personnel Boston Smith - piano
Lil' Son Jackson - vocals, guitar
Al Calloway