Little Milton - Sings Big Blues [Bonus Track] (2025)

Little Milton's 1966 masterpiece combines the depth of blues and the heat of soul into one. This 1966 masterpiece reimagines the classic songs of B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, Lowell Fulson, and others with a gorgeous, horn-fueled sound. Gene Barge's meticulous arrangements and Chicago recordings by the greats of Chess' golden era shine through. All the songs, including the #7 R&B chart hit "Feel So Bad," emanate a hot blues and soul flavor. Little Milton, who made his name in the R&B world the previous year with the smash hit "We're Gonna Make It," releases his masterpiece on the Chess Records-affiliated Checker label, featuring B.B. King's "Sweet Sixteen," T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday" and Lowell Fulson's "Recess, Lowell Fulson's "Reconsider Baby" and James Brown's "Please, Please, Please. The song selections are a concentrated collection of his roots and respect. The production was directed by saxophonist and master arranger Gene Barge.With dynamic horn arrangements and a precise band structure, the band has created a new sound that adds the essence of soul to blues. Recorded at Chicago's Tell Mar Studios and engineered by master engineer Ron Malo. Participating musicians include Phil Upchurch (g), Sonny Thompson (p), and other elite Chess musicians, creating a powerful ensemble. Feel So Bad" was a #7 hit on the R&B charts, and the album as a whole was highly acclaimed as an ambitious work that crossed the boundaries between blues and soul. The raw recording, which seems to capture the atmosphere of Chicago at the time, is still vivid even half a century later. This is a definitive recording of "Big Blues" that breathes the life of the times while inheriting the tradition. This is a highly recommended disc not only for blues fans, but also for soul lovers. Commentary: All Days Editorial Department

Tracklist:
1-1 Little Milton - FEEL SO BAD [4:07]
1-2 Little Milton - RECONSIDER, BABY [3:33]
1-3 Little Milton - STORMY MONDAY [4:27]
1-4 Little Milton - WOKE UP THIS MORNING [3:33]
1-5 Little Milton - HARD LUCK BLUES [3:04]
1-6 Little Milton - PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE [3:46]
1-7 Little Milton - SWEET SIXTEEN [3:38]
1-8 Little Milton - FEVER [2:52]
1-9 Little Milton - SNEAKIN’ AROUND [2:22]
1-10 Little Milton - DON’T DECEIVE ME [3:19]
1-11 Little Milton - HAVE MERCY, BABY [2:56]
1-12 Little Milton - PART TIME LOVE [4:03]

Bonus Track
1-13 Little Milton - WE GOT THE WINNING HAND [2:52]
1-14 Little Milton - YOU COLORED MY BLUES BRIGHT [2:54]
1-15 Little Milton - MORE AND MORE [2:47]
1-16 Little Milton - MAN LOVES TWO [3:02]