Little Miss Cornshucks - Blues & Rhythm Series 5059: The Chronological Little Miss Cornshucks 1947-1951 (2003)

Most of Little Miss Cornshucks' scant, but influential output is compiled here; the album includes everything but some later 1960s recordings for Chess. "Have You Ever Loved Somebody" and "I Don't Love You Anymore" are quite brash, with great swoops of vocal to match the blasts of trumpet and saxophone coming from the orchestra. "He's Funny That Way," and especially "Time After Time" are softer; on the latter, she sounds truly wounded, with her voice wavering in a high register as breathy woodwinds stir up the mood. It's the sort of goosebumps song that really makes you wish she would've had the opportunity to be more prolific. Best might be her version of "Try a Little Tenderness." With her voice high up in the mix, Little Miss Cornshucks sounds almost out of control over the tinkling pianos and subdued horns. There's pain in there, there's yearning -- it's easy to hear everyone from Aretha Franklin to Shelby Lynne in the raw emotion. ~Johnny Loftus