Big Jay McNeely – The Singles Collection 1949-62 – 2CD

Big Jay McNeely was an R&B saxophonist, whose music ran the gamut of R&B styles, from jazz-tinged pieces and pure blues to out-and-out rock ‘n’ roll, and was famous as one of the leaders in the “honkin’” saxophone style alongside the likes of Sam ‘The Man’ Taylor, King Curtis and Lee Allen, developing a wild stage act as he as he explored every sound the sax could make played in every bizarre position. He recorded for a variety of labels after making his debut with Johnny Otis, and this great-value 53-track 2-CD collection comprises A & B sides of his singles with his band The Blue Jays on the Savoy, Exclusive, Aladdin, Imperial, Veejay and Swingin’ labels, during this era. It features his R&B No. 1 with “Deacon’s Hop” in 1949 that immediately brought him to public attention, along with his other R&B hits “Wild Wig” and, from later years “There Is Something On Your Mind”. On some of his releases he featured vocalists like Clifford Blivens, Ted Shirley, Jesse Belvin, Mercy Dee Walton and Sonny Warner as well as organist Leon Haywood. He was one of the most distinctive and unusual R&B artists of the ‘50s and this collection is an entertaining trawl across his primary recording career.

Track Listing:

CD1:
Big Jay McNeely And His Bluejays: 1. Benson’s Groove -   2. Wild Wig -   Deacon McNeeley's Bluejays: 3. The Deacon’s Hop -   4. Artie’s Jump -   Deacon McNeeley & His Blue Jays: 5. California Hop -   6. Sunday Dinner -   Big Jay McNeeley: 7. Cherry Smash -   8. Man Eater -   Big Jay McNeely: 9. Midnight Dreams -   10. Blow Big Jay -   11. Willie The Cool Cat -   12. Roadhouse Boogie -   13. Hoppin' With Hunter -   14. Tondalayo -   15. Junie Flip -   16. K&H Boogie -   17. Boogie In Front -   18. Gingercake -   "Big" Jay McNeely & His Band: 19. Jay’s Frantic -   20. Deac’s Blowout -   21. Let’s Split -   22. Real Crazy Cool -   Jay McNeeley And His Orchestra: 23. All That Wine Is Gone -   24. Don't Cry Baby -   25. Sad Story -   26. Insect Ball -

CD2:
Three Dots And A Dash With Big Jay McNeeley And His Orch: 1. Let's Do It -   2. I'll Never Love Again -   Big Jay McNeeley: 3. The Deacon Blows For Ray -   4. Tall Brown Woman -   5. Deacon Rides Again -   6. Blow Blow Blow -   7. Jay Walk -   8. Night Ride -   Three Dots And A Dash With Big Jay McNeeley And His Orch: 9. Love From The Heart -   10. Old Black Mule -   Big Jay McNeeley: 11. Jet Fury -   12. Deacon’s Express -   13. Big Jay’s Hop -   14. Three Blind Mice -   15. Jay’s Rock -   16. There Is Something On Your Mind -   17. Back . . . Shack . . . Track -   Big Jay McNeely & Band: 18. I Got The Message -   19. Psycho Serenade -   20. Minnie -   21. My Darling Dear - Big Jay McNeely: 22. I Love You, Oh Darling -   23. Oh, What A Fool -   Big Jay McNeely & His Orchestra: 24. Before Midnight -   25. After Midnight -   Big Jay McNeely & Band: 26. Without A Love -   27. The Squat -