In the tradition of Jimmy Rushing, Big Joe Turner, Wynonie Harris and the whole lineage of great blues shouters comes Jimmy T99 Nelson with Rockin’ and Shoutin’ the Blues. An active performer since the early ’50s, the big-voiced Philadelphia native gets some long overdue national attention with this aptly-titled release. Backed by the Roomful of Blues horns and Houston guitar great Clarence Holliman, Nelson swaggers with wit and verve on a set of originals and three well-chosen covers-Eddie Vinsons’ “Sweet Mr. Cleanhead,” Leroy Carr’s “How Long Blues” and the Reginald Ashby-Doc Pomus tune “Boogie Woogie Country Girl,” a Big Joe Turner classic. Nelson, a member of that grand old school, delivers in regal fashion on this fine disc.
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