Pete Johnson - The Chronological Classics, 3 Albums

Pete Johnson was one of the three great boogie-woogie pianists (along with Albert Ammons and Meade Lux Lewis) whose sudden prominence in the late '30s helped make the style very popular. Originally a drummer, Johnson switched to piano in 1922. He was part of the Kansas City scene in the 1920s and '30s, often accompanying singer Big Joe Turner. Producer John Hammond discovered him in 1936 and got him to play at the Famous Door in New York. After taking part in Hammond's 1938 Spirituals to Swing Carnegie Hall concert in 1938, Johnson started recording regularly and appeared on an occasional basis with Ammons and Lewis as the Boogie Woogie Trio. He also backed Turner on some classic records. Johnson recorded often in the 1940s and spent much of 1947-1949 based in Los Angeles. He moved to Buffalo in 1950 and, other than an appearance at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival, he was in obscurity for much of the decade. A stroke later in 1958 left him partly paralyzed. Johnson made one final appearance at John Hammond's January 1967 Spirituals to Swing concert, playing the right hand on a version of "Roll 'Em Pete" two months before his death.

Tracks:



Pete Johnson - 1938-1939 {The Chronological Classics, 656}

01. Goin' Away Blues (2:38)
02. Roll 'Em, Pete (2:51)
03. Boo-Woo (2:59)
04. Home James (2:36)
05. Shuffle Boogie (3:20)
06. Lone Star Blues (3:08)
07. B & O Blues (3:15)
08. How Long, How Long (2:51)
09. Climbin' And Screamin' (3:20)
10. Buss Robinson Blues (2:42)
11. Pete's Blues (3:04)
12. Let 'Em Jump (3:04)
13. Pete's Blues No. 2 (3:09)
14. Cherry Red (2:56)
15. Baby, Look At You (3:03)
16. Lovin' Mama Blues (3:16)
17. Cafe Society Rag (2:59)
18. Boogie Woogie (2:45)
19. Vine Street Bustle (3:43)
20. Some Day Blues (4:32)



Pete Johnson - 1939-1941 {The Chronological Classics, 665}

01. Holler Stomp (4:06)
02. Barrelhouse Breakdown (4:01)
03. Kansas City Farewell (4:19)
04. You Don'T Know My Mind (4:12)
05. Blues On The Down Beat (3:16)
06. Kaycee On My Mind (3:01)
07. 627 Stomp (3:09)
08. Piney Brown Blues (2:57)
09. Boogie Woogie Man (2:46)
10. Barrelhouse Boogie (3:05)
11. Cuttin' The Boogie (2:22)
12. Death Ray Boogie (3:01)
13. Just For You (2:52)
14. Pete's Mixture (2:50)
15. Basement Boogie (2:56)
16. Foot Pedal Boogie (2:31)
17. Walkin' The Boogie (2:53)
18. Sixth Avenue Express (2:45)
19. Pine Creek (2:39)
20. Movin' The Boogie (2:46)



Pete Johnson - 1944-1946 {The Chronological Classics, 933}

01. Kaycee Feeling (2:51)
02. Lights Out Mood (3:04)
03. Dive Bomber (2:58)
04. Answer To The Boogie (2:24)
05. Mr. Freddy Blues (2:57)
06. Zero Hours (3:12)
07. Bottomland Boogie (3:08)
08. Rock It Boogie (3:06)
09. I May Be Wonderful (But I Think You're Wrong) (2:48)
10. Man Wanted (2:43)
11. 1946 Stomp (1280 Stomp) (2:53)
12. Atomic Boogie (2:41)
13. Backroom Blues (2:48)
14. Pete's Lonesome Blues (2:44)
15. Mr. Drums Meets Mr. Piano (2:44)
16. Mutiny In The Doghouse (2:28)
17. Mr. Clarinet Knocks Twice (2:49)
18. Ben Rides Out (2:44)
19. Page Mr. Trumpet (2:53)
20. J.C. From K.C. (2:54)
21. Pete's Housewarming Blues (2:45)