Jimmy Witherspoon - Roots + Jimmy Witherspoon

2014

With a musical career that spanned over five decades, the great Jimmy Witherspoon crossed over into R&B, swing, gospel, and jazz, but his roots were always in the blues. His deep and mellow voice and impeccable taste also made him a successful jazz-blues crossover artist. This quintessential release includes two of Witherspoon’s finest albums from the early Sixties: Roots (Reprise 1961), and the self-titled Jimmy Witherspoon (Crown 1960). The former is a true hidden classic with accompaniment by saxophonist Ben Webster, trumpeter Gerald Wilson, and a rhythm section consisting of pianist Ernie Freeman and drummer Jim Miller. The warmth of Spoon’s voice can be heard on material like “Your Red Wagon,” “I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water,” “Key to the Highway” (in one of the most unique versions ever recorded), and Jimmy Rushing’s lonely “Did You Ever”. The latter album is filled with both studio and live recordings from his 1947-1951 sides on the Modern label. These outstanding LPs have been remastered and packaged together in this very special collector’s edition, which also includes 3 bonus tracks from the same period.