Various Artists - Blue Boogie (1999)

Subtitled "Boogie Woogie, Stride and The Piano Blues," this compilation CD is part of Blue Note's fantastic "Blue Series." But whereas most of the other CDs in that series mainly feature releases from the 1960s and '70s, this one reaches back to mono recordings from the late '30s and 40's. Stride piano isn't really my thing but the technique is certainly impressive throughout and it's a nice change of pace to hear these lively blues nuggets every now and again.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

19 tracks from eight artists: Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis, Pete Johnson, James P. Johnson, Sammy Benskin, Art Hodes, Earl Hines, and Art Tatum. Most cuts are simply solo piano (track 7 is solo harpsichord!) and anyone who ever took a piano lesson should be amazed at the left hand accuracy. There's also a piano duo (Twos And Fews) and seven cuts with combos ranging from 3-7 members.

Here's a fun related oddity featuring music from the opening track of this CD:

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: I found several CDs in this series when they were originally released in the '90s, but then they became harder to find as the century turned. Now, as used CD bins are packed to capacity and discs are priced to move, I see them more often and I'll pick up whatever discs I don't already own. So check this space for more Blue Series CDs in the not-so-distant future.

Previously revisited for the blog:

Blue Bacharach (1999)	Capitol Rare (1999)
Blue Brazil (1999)	Capitol Rare Vol 2 (1999)
Blue Break Beats (1992)	Capitol Rare Vol 3 (1999)
Blue Beat (1991)	Blue Bossa (1991)
Blue Series Sampler (2001)	Blue Bossa Vol 2 (1999)