ARTIST SONG ALBUM
Billiken Johnson Frisco Blues Texas Piano Vol. 2: 1927-1938
Billiken Johnson Billiken's Weary Blues Texas Piano Vol. 2: 1927-1938
Texas Bill Day Elm Street Blues Texas Piano Vol. 2: 1927-1938
Andy Boy Church Street Blues Joe Pullum Vol. 2 1935-1951
Andy Boy Jive Blues Joe Pullum Vol. 2 1935-1951
Andy Boy House Raid Blues Joe Pullum Vol. 2 1935-1951
Walter Washington Ice Pick Mama Joe Pullum Vol. 2 1935-1951
Walter Washington West Dallas Woman Joe Pullum Vol. 2 1935-1951
Joe Pullum Black Gal... Joe Pullum Vol. 1 1934-1935
Joe Pullum Cows, See That Train Comin' Joe Pullum Vol. 1 1934-1935
Rob Cooper West Dallas Drag No. 2 Joe Pullum Vol. 1 1934-1935
Pinetop Burks Fannie Mae Blues San Antonio Blues 1937
Pinetop Burks Jack Of All Trades Blues San Antonio Blues 1937
Pinetop Burks Shake The Shack San Antonio Blues 1937
Big Boy Knox Texas Blues San Antonio Blues 1937
Big Boy Knox Blue Man Blues San Antonio Blues 1937
Son Becky Cryin' Shame Blues San Antonio Blues 1937
Son Becky Midnight Trouble Blues San Antonio Blues 1937
Black Ivory King The Flying Crow San Antonio Blues 1937
Black Ivory King Working For The PWA San Antonio Blues 1937
Black Boy Shine Brown House Blues Black Boy Shine & Black Ivory King
Black Boy Shine Dog House Blues Black Boy Shine & Black Ivory King
Hersal Thomas Hersal Blues Black Boy Shine & Black Ivory King
George W. Thomas Fast Stuff Blues Black Boy Shine & Black Ivory King
Moanin' Bernice Edwards Ninth Street Stomp Texas Piano, Vol. 1 1923-1935
Dusky Dailey Flying Crow Blues Rare 1930's Blues, Vol. 2 1936-1940
Whistlin' Alex Moore West Texas Woman Whistlin' Alex Moore 1929 - 1951
Whistlin' Alex Moore Blue Bloomer Blues Whistlin' Alex Moore 1929 - 1951
Whistlin' Alex Moore Neglected Woman Whistlin' Alex Moore 1929 - 1951
Buster Pickens Santa Fe Conversation With The Blues
Dr. Hepcat Hattie Green Juke Joint Blues

Show Notes:

Whistlin' Alex Moore 78Piano blues seems to have gotten overshadowed by the emphasis on the guitar. Today the piano blues tradition is in steep decline. This week’s show harks back to the glory days of barrelhouse piano, in particular a remarkable group of piano men who where based in Texas during the 1920’s and 30’s. As Paul Oliver observed: “Texas was as rich in piano blues as Mississippi was in guitar blues …A cursory glance through the discographies will emphasize the fact that a remarkable number of blues pianists came from Texas.”

All the background for this week’s show can be found in a multi-part article I posted on the Texas piano tradition:

Texas Piano Blues - 1920’s & 1930’s Part 1

Texas Piano Blues - 1920’s & 1930’s Part 2

Texas Piano Blues - 1920’s & 1930’s Part 3

Texas Piano Blues - 1920’s & 1930’s Part 4