Artist:  Jimmy Reed

Title:  The Very Best of Jimmy Reed

Date:  196?

Label:  Buddah Records   BDS 4003

Cover Photo:  Joel Brodsky

Art Direction:  Acy R. Lehman

Notes:  These sessions were recorded from 1953 through 1960 and feature various sidemen along with Jimmy. Always the driving force Jimmy's voice, guitar and harmonica are front and center without being pushy or arrogant. His work always has the feel that the man intimately knows the tales he's relating. There are a few cover tunes, but primarily it's Jimmy's original that fill out the set. Some of the songs are so familiar that it's hard to believe that they were actually written by someone and weren't handed down from the heaven's complete and whole. Covered frequently, equaled never. The cover photo gives us a well-worn street on a cool night and a couple in quiet conversation; on the way to the club or coming home? Either way, if Jimmy is involved it's worth the walk.

Line Up:

Jimmy Reed: vocals, guitar and harmonica
Mary "Mama" Reed: vocals
Eddie Taylor, Remo Biondi, Lefty Bates, Phil Upchurch, Lee Baker: guitar
Morris Wilkerson, Vernell Fournier, Earl Phillips: drums
Marcus Johnson, Willie Dixon: bass

Track Listing

Side 1

Baby What You Want Me to Do
You don't Have to Go
Hush
Found Love
Honest I Do
You Got Me Dizzy

Side 2

Big Boss Man
Take Out Some Insurance
Boogie in the Dark
Going to New York
Ain't that Lovin' Baby
The Sun is Shining