Hound Dog: The Peacock Recordings

by

Big Mama Thornton

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I have heard quite a few rock performers from the 1950s: Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, Big Joe Turner, Carl Perkins, etc. And I must say that this CD is my very favorite CD of 50s music. Hey, I like Elvis Presley, but I realize that Big Mama Thornton was better than him. Her version of "Hound Dog" is so superior to his that it makes me wonder why his was the version that became so popular. And it's not just that one song, either. Instead, all of the songs on this collection are excellent. I suppose that some people would place this CD in the blues categoty, but I say that it is rock. Yes, this CD is rock and roll as it was meant to be. I hope that in 100 years from now when people make lists of the best rock music of the 20th century, the music from this CD will be high on their lists. If you have any interest at all in listening to music from the very birth of rock and roll, then this disc should make a very valuable addition to your collection.

Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton was much more than the originator of "Hound Dog" - she was one of the greatest Blues singers. She could be fun and sassy, and could also be plaintive and emotional. After Bessie Smith and before Koko Taylor, there was Big Mama Thornton.

HOUND DOG: THE PEACOCK RECORDINGS consists of 18 songs recorded 1952-1957 on the Peacock label (note: track 8 on Duke), some previously unreleased on US album, one (track 15) previously unreleased in the US; songs are not in chronological order. Disc packaged in black jewel case; total running time: 47:15. Booklet includes a pedestrian essay by Mary Katherine Aldin, several black & white photographs (plus an image of a poster promoting a Big Mama performance), and detailed track information (songwriters, musician personnel, recording dates). Sound quality is excellent.

These are her early recordings, made after she started touring as a singer at age 14 (performing with - or against - "Little Esther" Phillips). She went on to record for Baytone, Kent, Mercury, Vanguard, and Arhoolie labels, where she would record "Wade in the Water" and "Ball N' Chain", the latter notably covered by Janis Joplin.

Most of these 50s recordings are made with the Johnny Otis Orchestra. "Yes, Baby" (track 8) is a duet with Johnny Ace. The music is not as much Blues as Rhythm & Blues and early Rock N' Roll. Most of the songs are up-tempo numbers.

I like this disc, but it is rather brief. I prefer "Ball `N' Chain", a collection of much Blues-ier 1960s recordings released on Arhoolie.

music: 2 stars

packaging: 3 stars