The Original 1960 compilation plus a bonus disc featuring Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, Elmore James and other classic Vee-Jay Blues artists. In the 1950s & 1960s, Chicago's Vee-Jay was the one of the leading independent labels specialising in Black American music. The label became hugely successful when their long-term relationship with EMI gave them the opportunity to be the first label in the United States to release The Beatles but by this time the label had already built up a formidable catalogue featuring a dizzying array of DooWop, Gospel, Soul, Rock'n'Roll and, of course, Blues.

The Blues was a compilation was originally released in America in 1960 and contained several of the label's biggest commercial hits of the previous few years. When it was released in 1961 in the UK, it was almost certainly the first Blues compilation of its kind in Britain, introducing artists like Jimmy Reed, Jimmy Witherspoon, J.B. Lenoir and Memphis Slim to a whole new audience. The second disc of this deluxe digi-pack edition features 22 other classic Blues tracks from the label's back catalogue.[/quote]

Track List CD1:

01. Priscilla Bowman & Jay McShann - Hands Off [02:47]
02. Jimmy Reed - You Don't Have To Go [03:05]
03. Roscoe Gordon - Just a Little Bit [02:06]
04. John Lee Hooker - Dimples [02:11]
05. Gene Allison - You Can Make It If You Try [02:08]
06. Jimmy Reed - Ain't That Lovin You Baby [02:14]
07. Billy Boy Arnold - I Wish You Would [02:42]
08. Memphis Slim - Messin' Around [03:07]
09. J.B. Lenoir - Do What I Say [02:00]
10. Harold Burrage - Cryin' For My Baby [02:18]
11. Elmore James & His Broomdusters - Coming Home [02:26]
12. Jimmy Witherspoon - Kansas City [02:12]

Track List CD2:

01. Jimmy Reed - Shame Shame Shame [02:50]
02. John Lee Hooker - Boogie Chillun [02:36]
03. Billy Boy Arnold - I Ain't Got You [02:15]
04. Jimmy Reed - Honest I Do [02:39]
05. Billy 'The Kid' Emerson - Every Woman I Know [02:42]
06. Elmore James & His Broom Dusters - The Twelve Year Old Boy [03:05]
07. Jimmy Reed - Bright Lights Big City [02:47]
08. Bobby Parker - Blues Get Off My Shoulder [02:50]
09. John Lee Hooker - Maudie [02:23]
10. Rosco Gordon - No More Doggin' [02:39]
11. Memphis Slim - Steppin' Out [02:01]
12. Elmore James & His Broom Dusters - Take Me Where You Go [02:21]
13. John Lee Hooker - Boom Boom [02:32]
14. Elmore James - It Hurts Me Too [03:19]
15. Eddie Taylor - Bad Boy [03:02]
16. Jimmy Reed - Go On to School [02:46]
17. Billy Boy Arnold - Don't Stay Out All Night [02:52]
18. Jimmy Reed - Hush Hush [02:30]
19. Eddie Taylor - Ride 'Em On Down [02:55]
20. Jimmy Reed - Big Boss Man [02:47]
21. Eddie Taylor - Big Town Playboy [02:59]
22. Jimmy Reed - Take Out Some Insurance [02:19]


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