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The
J.B.
Lenoir Story
Blessed
with a rock solid boogie sound a high pitched vocal style plus a knack
for writing great songs, J.B. Lenoir was one of the most unique bluesman
of his generation. Lenoir cut many fine sides for Chess, Parrot and
J.O.B. before dying tragically at the age of 38.
J.B.
spent time in New Orleans before arriving in Chicago in the late 40's. It
was Big Bill Broonzy who showed him the ropes and introduced him to
Muddy Waters, Memphis Minnie and others. It wasn't long after that he
established himself as a bluesman in his own right.
Lenoir showed his penchant for topical lyrics with his first
single for Chess with 1951's "Korea Blues." From 1951-1953 he
cut a number of fine sides for the J.O.B. label in the company of
Sunnyland Slim and and saxist J.T. Brown.
From 1954-1955 Lenoir recorded for the Parrot label where he
cut the oft covered "Mama, Talk to Your Daughter" and the controversial
"Eisenhower Blues." The song was apparently too politically
charged for the times and was taken off the shelf and replaced with
"Tax Paying Blues", the same song but without the Eisenhower
references. In 1955 Lenoir brought his
rocking, boogie blues to Chess continuing to lay down excellent sides
including the humorous "Don't You Touch My Head" (talking
about his new process hairdo) and "Natural Man." Lenoir parted
with Chess in 1958 subsequently waxing scattered singles for Shad, USA
and Vee-Jay.
In 1965 and 1966 Lenoir cut two stunning acoustic records for a
German promoter. Alabama Blues and Down in Mississippi
were recorded in Chicago with Lenoitr tackling tough subject
matter on songs like "Vietnam Blues", "Alabama
March" and "Move this Rope."
In 1967 Lenoir passed away probably as a result of a car accident three
weeks earlier. Fortunately for us his music is well documented on
record.
Essential Listening
J.B. Lenoir: Natural Man (Chess):
Excellent collection of mid 50's sides for
Chess. Includes "Eisenhower Blues" and "Mama, Talk to
Your Daughter." Reissued in 1990 on CD this classic record may now
be out of print.
J.B. Lenoir:
His JOB Recordings (Paula/Flyright): Lenoir's
earliest sides featuring Sunnyland Slim on piano.
J.B. Lenoir: The Parrot
Sessions (Paula/Flyright): Lenoir
really came into his own on these rocking sides which includes
"Mama, Talk to Your Daughter."
J.B. Lenoir: Vietnam Blues
(Evidence): A stripped down session from 1965-66 with
Lenoir playing acoustic guitar. Includes both acoustic albums done
for the L&R label in the mid sixties. Lenoir's songwriting has never
been better with such topical blues as "Born Dead", "Down
in Mississippi" and "Shot on James Meredith."
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