T BONE WALKER, JUNIOR WELLS, JIMMY RODGERS, WILLIE DIXON WHY NOT 78RPM ATLANTIC
£
45
$
60
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Description
This highly coveted 10" independent shellac disc captures one of the most legendary, star-studded studio collaborations in post-war electric blues history. Released in late 1955 on Ahmet Ertegun's premier independent Atlantic imprint, this original pressing features Texas guitar pioneer T-Bone Walker delivering Why Not b/w Play On Little Girl.
While Walker's smooth vocals and stinging, sophisticated Gibson lead work steer the record, the true prize for advanced collectors lies in the uncredited, heavyweight Chicago studio backing. Cut in April 1955, the session features a definitive Chess Records dream team: Junior Wells supplying his heavily amplified, mournful harmonica; Jimmy Rogers on second guitar; and the master architect Willie Dixon driving the deep upright bass pocket. Side A (Why Not) is a spectacular, slow-burning late-night blues masterclass highlighting the incredible tonal contrast between Wells' gritty harp and T-Bone's elegant jazz-inflected phrasing. Side B (Play On Little Girl) shifts gears into a driving, swinging rhythm scheme that perfectly bridges urban blues with early rock 'n' roll. Finding clean, unscuffed examples of late-run 1955 Atlantic 78s entirely free of heavy steel-needle gray tracking wear, deep surface scuffs, or center-hole stress fractures is an absolute rarity. This premium specimen has been beautifully looked after, boasting an outstanding original factory gloss, exceptionally sharp groove walls, and pristine, vibrant label faces.
Technical Data
Artist: T-Bone Walker (with Uncredited All-Star Studio Band)
Featured Harmonica: Junior Wells
Featured Bass: Willie Dixon
Featured Second Guitar: Jimmy Rogers
Compositions: * Side A: Why Not (T-Bone Walker)
Side B: Play On Little Girl (T-Bone Walker)
Label: Atlantic Records (Original US Independent Label Format)
Catalog Number: 1074
Master Session Matrices: A-1496 (Why Not) / A-1499 (Play On Little Girl) Sequence
Format: 10" Shellac Record, 78RPM
Manufacture: Made in USA (Atlantic Recording Corp., New York)
Release Year: Late 1955
Historical Significance: A legendary, highly sought-after late-era shellac document capturing the historic convergence of Texas electric blues phrasing and the powerhouse elite of the post-war Chicago South Side scene.
Genre: Post-War Electric Blues / Chicago Blues / West Coast Jump / Premium Independent Shellac Grails
The disc is sandwiched between corrugated cardboard and wrapped in bubble wrap. This is then placed inside a double-skin box filled with packing void to prevent movement and provide maximum protection.
Carefully packed and promptly dispatched
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