Let’s Go to Town

Big Leon Brooks

Big Leon Brooks’ story is sad but typical of the blues. Brooks is backed by journeymen players Louis Myers, Eddie Taylor, Pinetop...

$13.00

CD

  • The late Big Leon Brooks was one of the unsung harmonica greats of Chicago blues. It’s sad and ironic that he passed away before he was able to enjoy the rave reviews he received for this album. In addition to playing soulful, wailing harp, Brooks proves here that he was a fine songwriter, bandleader, and vocalist as well. His shouting style cut through the gutsy backing of an all-star cast of blues players. Some might argue that Brooks was imitating Little Walter and others of greater renown, but there’s no denying that he was a talent in his own right. – Goldmine
    Big Leon Brooks’ story is sad but typical of the blues. Brooks is backed by journeymen players Louis Myers, Eddie Taylor, Pinetop Perkins, and his drummer Odie Payne, Jr. …this is a highly listenable set by one of the more obscure lights on the Chicago scene.

    He left a good-rocking legacy. -CityPages

    1. Let’s Go to Town
    2. Tell Me Baby
    3. Hurry Up Joe
    4. You Hurt Me So
    5. Love Me Baby
    6. Sugar Mama
    7. Miss Mary Ann
    8. Young Girl
    9. Please Mr. Catfish
    10. Side Walk
    11. Cryin’ Over You
    12. The Blues Today
    13. Chromatic Stomp
  • Release Date: May 20, 1994

    Musicians
    Big Leon Brooks: vocals and harmonica
    Louis Myers: lead guitar on all tracks except 2
    Junior Pettis: guitar on 1, 6
    Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson: guitar on 2
    Eddie Taylor: guitar on 2
    Pinetop Perkins: piano on 4, 8, 9
    Johnny “Big Moose” Walker: piano 1, 5
    Robert Stroger: bass on all tracks except 3
    Freddie Dixon: bass on 3
    Odie Payne, Jr.: drums

    © P 1994 Earwig Music Company, Inc.
    All songs written by Leon Brooks, published by Earwig Music (BMI) and Kid Man Music.
    Produced by Bob Corritore and Steve Wisner, except for “Young Girl”, produced by Bruce Iglauer
    Recorded at Curtom Studios, Chicago, Illinois June4, August 14 and September 2, 1980
    Recorded by Fred Brietburg, assisted by Eddie B. Flick
    Tracks 11, 12, 13 mixed by Paul Smith at Chicago Recording Company June 30, 1993
    Front cover photographed by D. Shigley, inside photo by Linda Matlow
    Graphic Design by Al Brandtner
    Special thanks to Bruce Iglauer, Dick Shurman, Jim O’Neal, Anne Columna, Rich Yescalis, Suzanne Yovonne, Brian Bisesi, Jerry Shirley, Dave Waldman, Tail Dragger, John Corritore, Cary Baker and Bob Koester
    A very special thanks to Illinois Slim

CD-4931 cover big-leon-brooks
Genre: Blues