Jimmy Witherspoon

Singer Jimmy Witherspoon was equally at home in both the jazz and blues genres, and he is among a handful of singers for whom the distinctions between the two are really irrelevant. Spoon recorded for an astounding number of record labels during his 50-plus year career, but he was arguably at his best when fronting a band with a crack horn section, as is the case with the tracks included here, which he cut for King Records subsidiary Federal Records between June 30, 1952, and December 7, 1953. Witherspoon's complete Federal output is collected on this disc, 24 cuts in all, including the beautiful and moving "Foolish Prayer," the funky garage jazz of "Two Little Girls," and a solid version of Leiber & Stoller's "Corn Whiskey." Another highlight is "Sad Life," which features vocal backing from the Lamplighters, on loan from Johnny Otis, with Spoon practically inventing a whole new genre, one that might be termed "blues doo wop." Witherspoon recorded a lot of material, but the Federal sessions are among his best, thanks to the solid arrangements and horn work, making this disc as good a place as any to start to get a sense of this fine singer. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide