American pianist Albert Ammons (1907-1949) was indeed “The Boogie Woogie Man”, the founder figure of boogie-woogie and its best-known and foremost exponent. Perhaps less extrovert or virtuoso than either Pete Johnson or Meade Lux Lewis, he was the most consistent of the three boogie ‘greats’, with greater rhythmic solidarity. His unerring left-hand bass figures with their rock-steady, unfaltering rhythm generated a dynamic almost unparalleled in piano blues. Versatile in other styles too , he displayed a superb feeling for the blues.

The Boogie Woogie Man is a thrilling single CD showcase of Ammons’s artistry. It includes six solos, such as his classic Shout for Joy, and a further nine backed by his Rhythm Kings (Boogie Woogie Stomp, etc.). There are four superb examples of his famous duo partnership with Pete Johnson (Cuttin’ the Boogie and so on) and three trio tracks with Meade Lux Lewis as well (Boogie Woogie Prayer). He is also heard with Harry James (Woo-Woo), with Frankie Newton’s Port of Harlem Jazzmen (Mighty Blues) and accompanying the great blues singer Sippie Wallace on Bedroom Blues.

Tracklisting:

Albert Ammons & his Rhythm Kings
1. Boogie Woogie Stomp
2. Early Mornin’ Blues

Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis & Pete Johnson
3. Boogie Woogie Prayer

Piano Solos
4. Shout for Joy
5. Boogie Woogie Blues

Harry James & The Boogie Woogie Trio
6. Woo-Woo

The Port of Harlem Jazzmen
7. Mighty Blues

Piano Solos
8. St. Louis Blues
9. Bass Goin’ Crazy
10. Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie
11. Chicago in Mind

Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis & Pete Johnson
12. Café Society Rag – with Joe Turner

Pete Johnson & Albert Ammons
13. Boogie Woogie Man
14. Barrelhouse Boogie
15. Cuttin’ the Boogie
16. Sixth Avenue Express

Albert Ammons & his Rhythm Kings
17. Groovin’ the Blues
18. The Breaks
19. Jammin’ the Boogie
20. Bottom Blues
21. Bedroom Blues – with Sippie Wallace
22. Swanee River Boogie
23. Twelfth Street Boogie