The Lost Paramount Tapes

James Booker - The Lost Paramount Tapes

The Lost Paramount Tapes
List Price: $12.98
Our Price: $8.13
You Save: $4.85 (37%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $7.99 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Listen soundtracks from this album



(Click here)
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store

CD Details

Artist: James Booker
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1997-03-11
Music Label: DJM Records
Soundtracks:
  1. Goodnight Irene
  2. Feel So Bad
  3. Junco Partner
  4. African Gumbo
  5. Lah Tee Tah
  6. So Swell When You're Well
  7. Stormy Monday
  8. Hound Dog
  9. Hole In the Wall
  10. Tico Tico
  11. Junco Partner #2

Music reviews of The Lost Paramount Tapes

Music Review: James Booker -- Professor and Toy Piano Genius!
Rating: 5 Stars

Folks down in the Crescent City have a particular way of describing a piano player that embodies the rhythm, soul, and funky boogie woogie that permiates every steamy inch of New Orleans. That person becomes known as a professor -- the most famous example being Professor Longhair. James Booker -- eye patch, narcotic nature, wickedly talented, and dead too soon -- is the premier professor. And this record, recorded, I believe, in Los Angeles, is a remarkable testiment to Booker's professorial prowess.

Put the record on, and, after a brief bit of atmospheric studio hum, you'll be treated to the opening rollicking notes of a radical reworking of the Ledbelly classic, Goodnight Irene. True, there are other recordings of Booker laying into this tune, but none of them feature the backing of a swinging unit of crack New Orleans musicians -- saxophoist Lee Allen and percussionist Didimus, among others. And let me tell you, the tune swings, bringing together the pain and joy of the blues. As Albert King used to say, "if this doesn't get to you, you've got a hole in your soul!" I dare you to not get up and dance.

Every track lives up to this standard. Check out "Feel So Bad" -- and when Booker sings that he feels like "a ball game on a rainy day" you'll feel it to. Or the New Orleans second-line rhythms and old time parlor melodies of "African Gumbo" and "Tico Tico" -- the band wails, Booker deftly dances across the keys, playing off the melody and improvising lightning, soulful runs with his right hand, and you'll feel a strong urge for a libation, some red beans and rice, and a good place to dance the night away. Tired of the long, overdone, guitar-wanking, Allman Brothers-inspired takes on "Stormy Monday"? Check out the "Hound Dog/Stormy Monday" medley for a return to the tunes simpler roots. And, of course, not one, but two versions of the New Orleans standard "Junco Partner".

And last, a note about the piano featured in this recording. Legend has it that Booker had a roomful of grand pianos to choose from for this recording -- and instead chose an old upright toy piano (perhaps a "piano forte" is a better description). The producer of the session tried to talk him out of it; but you'll be glad Booker stuck to his guns, for the piano sound on this record is positively joyous -- just what you'd expect from the bluescape and parlor of a great Professor.

Booker's gone now, far too soon. But if you buy this record, shake a leg, raise a glass, shout out "Irene" with the chorus of Goodnight Irene (and you will), I think you'll understand. And who knows -- maybe somehow Booker will know and he'll raise his eyepatch and wink at you. I guarantee it's worth a shot!

More The Lost Paramount Tapes free music reviews:
1

Description of The Lost Paramount Tapes

All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

Blues CDs

Music Genres
Bestsellers in Blues CDs
Southern String Bands ImageSouthern String Bands
Release date: 1997-05-07; Music CD
Price in other shops: $9.98
Texas Blues ImageLightnin Hopkins - Texas Blues
Release date: 1993-11-30; Music CD
Price in other shops: $9.98
15 Regional Mexican Music Classics Image15 Regional Mexican Music Classics
Release date: 1997-02-25; Music CD
Best price: $3.99
Price in other shops: $7.98
Love's Been Rough on Me ImageEtta James - Love's Been Rough on Me
Release date: 1997-04-29; Music CD
Best price: $8.97
Price in other shops: $10.98
Mystery Lady ImageEtta James - Mystery Lady
Release date: 1994-03-15; Music CD
Best price: $8.96
Price in other shops: $11.98
Dancing the Blues ImageTaj Mahal - Dancing the Blues
Release date: 1993-09-28; Music CD
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops: $11.98
Moments to Remember [VHS] ImageBill Gaither & Gloria - Moments to Remember [VHS]
Chordant; Release date: 1996-09-03; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $3.00
Price in other shops: $29.98
Sing Your Blues Away [VHS] ImageSing Your Blues Away [VHS]
Chordant Distribution; Release date: 1996-09-03; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.18
Price in other shops: $29.98
Rhythm Country & Blues [VHS] ImageRhythm Country & Blues [VHS]
Mca; Release date: 1994-03-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $99.75
Smoking Gun ImageRobert Cray - Smoking Gun
Published: 1988; Music CD
Similar CDs
Dr. John's Gumbo ImageDr John - Dr. John's Gumbo
Release date: 1990-06-28; Music CD
Best price: $5.38
Price in other shops: $16.96
Goin' Back To New Orleans ImageDr. John - Goin' Back To New Orleans
Release date: 2008-09-30; Music CD
Best price: $3.52
Price in other shops: $5.99
The James Booker Collection ImageThe James Booker Collection
by James Booker
Hal Leonard; Hal Leonard Corporation; Published: 2000-05-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.65
Price in other shops: $24.95
Junco Partner ImageJames Booker - Junco Partner
BOOKER,JAMES; Release date: 1993-02-09; Music CD
Best price: $59.99
Manchester 77 ImageJames Booker - Manchester 77
Release date: 2007-06-12; Music CD
Best price: $13.41
Price in other shops: $17.98
Classified ImageJames Booker - Classified
BOOKER,JAMES; Release date: 1992-02-14; Music CD
Best price: $9.96
Price in other shops: $16.98
Spiders on the Keys ImageJames Booker - Spiders on the Keys
BOOKER,JAMES; Release date: 1993-09-01; Music CD
Best price: $10.27
Price in other shops: $17.98
King of the New Orleans Keyboard ImageJames Booker - King of the New Orleans Keyboard
Release date: 2012-01-31; Music CD
Best price: $12.43
Price in other shops: $17.49
Resurrection of Bayou Maharajah ImageJames Booker - Resurrection of Bayou Maharajah
Release date: 1993-07-22; Music CD
Best price: $9.35
Price in other shops: $16.98
New Orleans Piano Wizard: Live ImageJames Booker - New Orleans Piano Wizard: Live
BOOKER,JAMES; Release date: 1992-02-14; Music CD
Best price: $9.39
Price in other shops: $16.98
Compare prices and find music notes for more than one million Music CD titles