Floyd Dixon - Marshall Texas Is My Home (2021)

After leaving Aladdin Records in 1952, Floyd Dixon crossed Los Angeles to record for Specialty. The groove was much the same: mellow, reflective supper club blues with a heavier emphasis on uptempo numbers to reflect the approach of rock & roll. Only rarely, as on the hillbilly-Mexican novelty "Me Quieras," is there a true change-of-pace. What makes this set worthwhile is its inclusion of Dixon's original version of "Hey Bartender," covered by the Blues Brothers on their megaplatinum first album. Also notable, though far less successful, was his stab at rock & roll. "Oooh Little Girl" is like hearing Nat Cole imitate Little Richard. --Colin Escott