Additional information
Personnel: Mama Yancey (vocals); Jimmy Yancey (piano); Israel Crosby (bass). Reissue producer: Yves Beauvais. Recorded in Chicago, Illinois on July 18, 1951. Includes liner notes by Jerry Wexler and original release liner notes by Bruce Bastin. Originally released on PURE BLUES, Atlantic (1283), except for tracks 8 & 9, Atlantic singles (134 and 130 respectively). All tracks were previously released on (Atlantic SD 7229). Digitally remastered by Stephen Innocenzi (December, 1991, Atlantic Studios, New York). All songs written or co-written by Jimmy Yancey and Mama Yancey, except "Yancey Special" (Meade Lux Lewis/Andy Razaf) and "Make Me A Pallet On The Floor" (traditional). CHICAGO PIANO, VOL. 1 is part of Atlantic's "Remasters" series. Jimmy Yancey was one of the pioneer boogie-woogie pianists, but unlike many of the other pacesetters, he had a gentle and thoughtful style that also crossed over into the blues. This Atlantic LP from 1972 contains Yancey's final recordings, cut just eight weeks before his death from diabetes. The pianist is in fine form on these introspective and often emotional performances which, with the exception of Meade "Lux" Lewis' "Yancey Special" and the traditional "Make Me a Pallet on the Floor," are comprised entirely of Yancey's originals. His wife, Mama Yancey, takes five memorable vocals on this memorable set of classic blues. ~ Scott Yanow
