Kari,Sax & His Orchestra Swinging The Blues 1947-1957 CD

Another edition to the "backroom boys of soul, blues & R&B" to go along with Howard Biggs, Red Saunders, Leroy Kirkland and King Kolax. Sax Kari was a major artist in this field and spent most of his life in music, recording for a multitude of labels some of which can be heard here and when not singing he can be heard on guitar or piano. Our selection starts with two titles recorded under his own name in 1947 with the Carolina Cotton Pickers, a long established jazz band with Anita Patterson handling the vocal on one, Kari the other, the original version of "Signifying Monkey" later recorded by Johnny Otis & many others. Gloria Irving follows with her recording in 1953 of "Daughter (That's Your Red Wagon)" a follow up to Ruth Brown's "Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean" & it made the Billboard R&B charts at No. 8. There's a selection with Gloria, then Bob "Detroit Count" White before a move to Chess with Lena Gordon's only two recordings. At this stage in his career Kari switched to the popular vocal group format with the Senators, La Fets & Kitty and The Quailtones before reverting back to the blues with Katie Watkins, a much sort after Checker 45 with Kari as Texas Red, one of his many name changes. He's also Texas Red with the Contours for the next two titles. Then back to Kari with The Alley Kats & Kitty and Little Sammy Ward before the crazy finish with his orchestra on "Goldie The Green Eyed Octopus" a spoof title similar to "Flying Purple People Eater" complete with sound effects!Here we have brief snapshot of the versatility of Sax Kari, more a major force in the soul, blues & R&R field than a backroom boy.

1. Signifying Monkey 2. Thursday Blues 3. Daughter (That's Your Red Wagon) 4. Down for Debbie 5. Henry 6. You Let My Love Grow Cold 7. Geneva and Johnny 8. Hush Your Lyin' Mouth 9. Train Ride 10. Red Hot Feeling 11. Brand New Gal 12. One Room the Blues and You 13. Mama Took the Baby 14. Disc Jockey Jamboree 15. You'd Better Stop 16. Tears of Love 17. Roxanna 18. Christmas Letter 19. Can Can Rock ; Roll 20. Trying to Get You Off My Mind 21. Snake Blues 22. Turn Around 23. Comin' Home 24. Rocking Chair 25. Alley Kats 26. Begging for Love 27. Count Me in 28. Chocolate Fizz 29. Goldie the Green Eyed Octopus