Shake, Rattle and Roll

Big Joe Turner, whose early trademark mix of jump blues and jazz-inflected R&B still sounds alive and vital all these years later, had an uncanny ability to sound both rough and smooth all in the same measure, and his appeal worked across a wide demographic. This brief set collects some of his Atlantic sides from the early to mid-'50s, including his signature "Shake, Rattle and Roll," the track that will forever be attached to his name. Also here are Turner's fine versions of Doc Pomus' "Don't You Cry" and Bo Chatmon's "Corrine Corrina." At only ten songs, this set hardly does justice to Turner's overall career, but it at least sets the table. ~ Steve Leggett

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