Edward L. Vinson Jr
b. December 18th, 1917 in Houston (Texas)
d. July 2nd, 1988 in Los Angeles (California)
THE CHRONOLOGICAL EDDIE VINSON
Classics
Volume 1 (December 1945 - April 1947)
Volume 2 (June 1947 - August 1949)
Eddie apprend à jouer du saxophone dès l'enfance. Il démarre professionnellement au milieu des années 30 dans l'orchestre de Milton Larkin. Ayant cotoyé Big Bill Broonzy, Duke Ellington et Charlie Parker, il intègre ensuite l'orchestre de Cootie Williams. Avec ce dernier, il trouve l'opportunité de graver ses premiers morceaux en 1943-44 pour les labels Hit et Capitol. A la fin de l'année 1945, Eddie se lance dans une carrière solo pour le label Mercury, développant un son Jazz - Blues très orchestral et des textes souvent emprunts d'humour. On peut ressortir "Juice head baby", "Too many women blues", "Cherry red blues", "Somebody's gotta go", "When a woman loves", "Kidney stew blues", "Lazy gal", "Bonus pay", "Wrong girl blues", "Alimony blues", "High class baby". Après cette superbe collaboration avec Mercury qui a fait de lui un des meilleurs blues-shouters, Eddie arrive chez King et propose de beaux morceaux comme "Ashes in my pillow", "Somebody done stole my cherry red".
Eddie learned to play saxophone as a child. He began his professional career in the mid-1930's in Milton Larkin's orchestra. Having rubbed shoulders with Big Bill Broonzy, Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker, he then joined Cootie Williams's orchestra. With the latter, he had the opportunity to record his first tracks in 1943-44 for the Hit and Capitol labels. At the end of 1945, Eddie launched a solo career for the Mercury label, developing a highly orchestral jazz-blues sound and lyrics often imbued with humor. Highlights include "Juice head baby", "Too many women blues", "Cherry red blues", "Somebody's gotta go", "When a woman loves", "Kidney stew blues", "Lazy gal", "Bonus pay", "Wrong girl blues", "Alimony blues", "High class baby". After this superb collaboration with Mercury which made him one of the best blues-shouters, Eddie joined King and released beautiful tracks like "Ashes in my pillow", "Somebody done stole my cherry red".
BALD HEADED BLUES
Ace
August 1949 - July 1952
Après s'être fait connaitre chez Mercury, Eddie travaille pour le label King de Cincinnati. Il continue dans son style entre Jazz et Blues où brillent sa voix et son saxophone. Dans ce CD Ace, on retrouve l'intégralité de son travail pour ce label. On apprécie, en particulier, "Ashes in my pillow", "Somebody done stole my cherry red", l'instrumental "Eddie's bounce", "No good woman", "Bald headed blues", "Big mouth gal", "If you don't think I'm sinking". Après 1950, le succès disparait progressivement et Eddie se retrouve sans label au milieu de l'année 1952.
After making a name for himself at Mercury, Eddie worked for the Cincinnati-based King label. He continued in his jazz-blues style where his voice and saxophone shone. This Ace CD features his entire work for this label. We can particularly point out "Ashes in my pillow", "Somebody done stole my cherry red", the instrumental "Eddie's bounce", "No good woman", "Bald headed blues", "Big mouth gal", "If you don't think I'm sinking". After 1950, Eddie's success gradually faded and he found himself without a label by mid-1952.
LET'S HAVE A BALL TONIGHT
Natasha
1950
THE REAL MR CLEANHEAD
Official
December 1954 - 1955
CLEANHEAD'S BACK IN TOWN
Bethlehem
BACK IN TOWN
Charly
September 1957
Après des années 50 au creux de la vague, Eddie trouve l'opportunité de graver un album complet pour le label de jazz Bethlehem entouré de beaux sidemen. On trouve des moments sympathiques comme "That's the way to treat your woman", "Trouble in mind", "Kidney stew" ou encore ses reprises de Louis Jordan, "Caldonia" et "Is you is or is you ain't my baby".
After a slump in the 1950's, Eddie found the opportunity to record a full album for the Bethlehem jazz label accompanied by some fine sidemen. We find nice moments like "That's the way to treat your woman", "Trouble in mind", "Kidney stew" and his Louis Jordan covers, "Caldonia" and "Is you is or is you ain't my baby".
BACK DOOR BLUES
Riverside
CLEANHEAD & CANNONBALL
Landmark
September 1961 / February 1962
A part l'album pour Bethlehem, les années 50 ont été bien calmes pour Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. En ce début d'années 60, il est associé aux jazzmen "Cannonball" Adderley (également producteur ici), Nat Adderley et Joe Zawinul sous la bannière du label Riverside. Ensemble, ils gravent un superbe album de jazz lors de deux séances (Chicago et New York). La tracklist est intense et inspirée avec "Bright lights big city", "Back door blues", "Kidney stew", "Vinsonology", "Arriving soon". On trouve des prises alternatives et des titres inédits dans les rééditions successives (les excellents "Cannonizing" et "Bernice's bounce").
Aside from the Bethlehem album, the 1950's were relatively quiet for Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. In the early 1960's, he partnered with jazz musicians "Cannonball" Adderley (also producer here), Nat Adderley and Joe Zawinul under the banner of Riverside label. Together, they recorded a superb jazz album during two sessions (Chicago and New York). The tracklist is intense and inspired with "Bright lights big city", "Back door blues", "Kidney stew", "Vinsonology", "Arriving soon". Alternate takes and previously unreleased tracks are featured on successive reissues (the excellent "Cannonizing" and "Bernice's bounce").
WE LOVE THE BLUES
Alan Grant Productions
1965
CHERRY RED
Bluesway
ABC
March 1967
Cet album pour Bluesway fut produit par Bob Thiele. Pour l'occasion, Eddie est entouré notamment de Buddy Lucas et de Mike Bloomfield. Une belle séance entre Blues et Jazz qui mérite l'écoute avec d'excellents moments tels que "Cadillac blues", "Juice head baby", "Alimony blues", "Flat broke blues", "Goodnight baby blues".
This album for Bluesway was produced by Bob Thiele. Eddie is joined for the occasion by Buddy Lucas and Mike Bloomfield. A beautiful session combining blues and jazz, well worth listening to, with excellent moments such as "Cadillac blues", "Juice head baby", "Alimony blues", "Flat broke blues", "Goodnight baby blues".
THE ROOTS OF JAZZ : THE BLUES ERA vol.2
Mu Jazz
1967
LIVE IN FRANCE vol.1 & 2
Black & Blue
JUMPIN' THE BLUES
Black & Blue
March 1969
Grâce à Jean Marie Monestier et Jean Pierre Tahmazian qui les firent venir en France, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson et Jay Mac Shann se produirent pour la première fois sur le sol européen. Ils sont enregistrés en bonne forme sur une scène parisienne en mars 1969. En fait, il s'agit beaucoup plus d'un album de Jay Mac Shann. Eddie n'est le leader que sur 5 morceaux en tout.
Thanks to Jean Marie Monestier and Jean Pierre Tahmazian who brought them to France, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson and Jay Mac Shann performed for the first time on European ground. They were recorded in good form on a parisian stage in march 1969. In fact, this is much more of a Jay Mac Shann album. Eddie is the leader on only five tracks in total.
WEE BABY BLUES
Black & Blue
KIDNEY STEW
Black & Blue
KIDNEY STEW IS FINE
Delmark
March 1969
THE DEFINITIVE BLACK & BLUE SESSIONS
Black & Blue
March 1969 / July 1972 / July 1978
Pour sa première tournée en France organisée par Jean Marie Monestier et Jean Pierre Tahmazian, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson trouve aussi la possibilité de graver un album complet pour Black & Blue. Il enregistre alors au studio Pathé à Paris aux côtés de magnifiques musiciens comme Hal Singer, Jay Mac Shann et T-Bone Walker. Une tracklist Jazz-Blues avec ses morceaux favoris : "Old kidney stew is fine", "Juice head baby", "Old maid boogie" mais aussi la reprise de "I'm in awful mood" (de son compère T-Bone Walker). Cette belle séance connut plusieurs rééditions successives par Black & Blue. Le CD "The definitive Black & Blue sessions" reprend la séance entière et ajoute quatre morceaux live : deux de juillet 1972 avec Wild Bill Davis et deux autres de juillet 1978 capturés lors de la Grande Parade du Jazz de Nice (en compagnie cette fois d'Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis et Bill Doggett).
For his first tour in France organized by Jean Marie Monestier and Jean Pierre Tahmazian, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson also had the opportunity to record a full album for Black & Blue. He recorded at the Pathé studio in Paris alongside magnificent musicians such as Hal Singer, Jay Mac Shann and T-Bone Walker. A jazz-blues tracklist featuring his favorite tunes : "Old kidney stew is fine", "Juice head baby", "Old maid boogie" as well as the cover of "I'm in awful mood" (by his friend T-Bone Walker). This beautiful session was reissued several times by Black & Blue. The CD "The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions" compiles the entire session and adds four live tracks : two from july 1972 with Wild Bill Davis and two others from july 1978 captured during the Grande Parade du Jazz de Nice (this time with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and Bill Doggett).
THE ORIGINAL CLEANHEAD
Blues Time
Flying Dutchman
Philips
Ace
October 1969
De nouveau associé au producteur Bob Thiele, Eddie enregistre cet album pour le label Blues Time. Un programme intéressant dans lequel il joue ses titres habituels bien supporté par des sidemen compétents ("Alimony blues", "Juice head baby").
Teaming up again with producer Bob Thiele, Eddie recorded this album for the Blues Time label. An interesting program featuring his usual titles well supported by skilled sidemen ("Alimony blues", "Juice head baby").
BLUES MEN
LRC
End 1960's
On trouve dans cette anthologie cinq morceaux d'Eddie gravés en public à la fin des années 60 (lieu inconnu) possédant une bonne qualité sonore.
This anthology features five Eddie tracks recorded live in the late 60's (location unknown) with good sound quality.
SUPER BLACK BLUES vol.2
Blues Time
Ace
May 1970
Concert au Carnegie Hall de New York réunissant Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, Leon Thomas et Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. Eddie prend trois morceaux en leader : "Cleanhead blues", "I had a dream" et "Person to person".
Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York bringing together Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, Leon Thomas and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. Eddie takes three tracks as a leader : "Cleanhead blues", "I had a dream" and "Person to person".
LIVE AT MONTEREY
Epic
September 1970
Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson fit partie du Johnny Otis Show qui lui permit de rester actif dans la seconde partie des années 60. Dans ce disque, il chante deux morceaux en tant que leader : "Cleanhead's blues" et "Kidney stew".
Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson was a member of The Johnny Otis Show which kept him active in the second half of the 1960's. On this album, he sings two songs as a leader : "Cleanhead's blues" and "Kidney stew".
SWISS SUITE
Philips
Flying Dutchman
June 1971
YOU CAN'T MAKE LOVE ALONE
Mega
Philips
June 1971
Ce disque capture la performance d'Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson sur la scène du prestigieux Montreux Jazz Festival en juin 1971. Il est rejoint sur scène par deux superbes guitaristes de jazz, Cornell Dupree et Larry Coryell. Une set-list sympathique mais courte (moins de 30 minutes).
This album captures Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson's performance at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in june 1971. He is joined on stage by two superb jazz guitarists, Cornell Dupree and Larry Coryell. A nice but short set list (less than 30 minutes).
THE BLUES : A REAL SUMMIT MEETING
Buddah
June 1973
Quatre morceaux live lors du Newport Jazz Festival avec Hal Singer et Jay Mac Shann à ses côtés avec, en particulier, de belles versions de "Hold it right there" et de "Kidney stew blues".
Four live tracks from the Newport Jazz Festival with Hal Singer and Jay Mac Shann including beautiful versions of "Hold it right there" and "Kidney stew blues".
JAMMING THE BLUES
Black Lion
July 1974
IT HAPPENED IN PESCARA
Philology
July 1974
EDDIE "CLEANHEAD" VINSON
Riff
KIDNEY STEW
Circle
Southland
April 1976
Lors d'une tournée européenne, Eddie se produit dans un club hollandais et joue ses morceaux habituels. Une set-list sans grande originalité qui manque aussi d'un peu de flamme.
During a european tour, Eddie performed at a dutch club and played his usual songs. A setlist that was unoriginal and also lacked a bit of fire.
LIVE IM BLUE NOTE
Flash
April 1976
GREAT RHYTHM & BLUES OLDIES vol.11
Blues Spectrum
1976 - 1977
Pour le label Blues Spectrum de Johnny Otis, Eddie propose ici un bon disque situé entre Blues et Jazz. En bonne forme, il est accompagné par la guitare de Shuggie Otis (le fils de Johnny Otis). On apprécie, en particulier, "Hold it right there", "Sugar", "Alimony blues" ou "Juice head baby".
For Johnny Otis' Blues Spectrum label, Eddie offers a fine album that sits somewhere between blues and jazz. In good form, he features guitar accompaniment from Shuggie Otis (Johnny Otis' son). We can particularly point out "Hold it right there", "Sugar", "Alimony blues" or "Juice head baby".
THE CLEAN MACHINE
Muse
CLEANHEAD BLUES
BMG
February 1978
LIVE AT SANDY'S
Muse
CLEANHEAD BLUES
BMG
August 1978
HOLD IT RIGHT THERE
Muse
CLEANHEAD BLUES
BMG
August 1978
REDUX : LIVE AT THE KEYSTONE KORNER
Savant
January 1979
Voici un concert capturé sur la scène d'un club de San Francisco au début de l'année 1979. Eddie se montre en bonne forme au chant et au saxophone dans cette set-list solide mais peu originale. On peut noter la sympathique reprise de "One room country shack" ou "I took the front door in".
Here's a concert captured on stage in a San Francisco club in early 1979. Eddie is in fine form on vocals and saxophone in this solid but unoriginal set list. Noteworthy are the pleasant cover of "One room country shack" or "I took the front door in".
KANSAS CITY SHOUT
Pablo
April 1980
Eddie a souvent tourné au sein de l'orchestre du jazzman Count Basie. Dans ce disque, il joue trois titres en leader dont une belle version de son "Cherry red".
Eddie often toured with jazz musician Count Basie's orchestra. On this album, he plays three songs as a leader including a nice version of his "Cherry red".
FUN IN LONDON
JSP
BLUES, BOOGIE & BEBOP : MEAT'S TOO HIGH
JSP
May 1980
Pour ce premier album gravé à Londres pour le label anglais JSP de John Stedman, Eddie délivre un album entièrement instrumental et tourné vers le saxophone jazz. On apprécie les longues pièces "Straight away" et "The theme" (non repris dans la version CD "Blues, boogie & bop : Meat's too high").
For this first album recorded in London for John Stedman's english label JSP, Eddie delivers an entirely instrumental album focused on jazz saxophone. We appreciate the long pieces "Straight away" and "The theme" (not included on "Blues, boogie & bop : Meat's too high" CD version).
I WANT A LITTLE GIRL
Pablo
February 1981
Un bel album entre Blues et Jazz pour le label Pablo. Eddie est notamment entouré du guitariste Cal Green. On peut ressortir les morceaux "Blues in the closet", "No good for me", "Worried mind blues" ou la longue relecture de "Stormy monday".
A nice album blending blues and jazz for the Pablo label. Eddie is notably accompanied by guitarist Cal Green. We can point out "Blues in the closet", "No good for me", "Worried mind blues" and the extended reinterpretation of "Stormy monday".
EDDIE "CLEANHEAD" VINSON & ROOMFUL OF BLUES
Muse
CLEANHEAD BLUES
BMG
January 1982
Une belle séance réunissant Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson et Roomful of Blues (Greg Piccolo, Rich Lataille, Ronnie Earl, Al Copley et consorts) pour un puissant set de blues cuivré (quelque part entre Jazz et West Coast blues). Dans ce programme consistant, on apprécie "House of joy", "He was a friend of mine", "No bones", "Past sixty blues", "Farmer's daughter blues".
A nice session featuring Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson and Roomful of Blues (Greg Piccolo, Rich Lataille, Ronnie Earl, Al Copley and others) for a powerful set of brassy blues (somewhere between jazz and West Coast blues). This consistent program includes "House of joy", "He was a friend of mine", "No bones", "Past sixty blues", "Farmer's daughter blues".
MR CLEANHEAD'S BACK IN TOWN
JSP
BLUES, BOOGIE & BEBOP : MEAT'S TOO HIGH
JSP
March 1982
Ce second album pour JSP place Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson à la tête de bons musiciens anglais (en particulier le guitariste Les Davidson). Voici un album beaucoup plus varié qu'à l'accoutumée avec de bons moments comme "Meat's too high", "Somebody else has taken my place", "Investigation blues", "If you were my buddy" et l'instrumental "Travelling". Tous les titres de l'album sont repris dans la version CD.
This second album for JSP features Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson at the helm of some fine english musicians (particularly guitarist Les Davidson). This is a much more varied album than usual with nice moments like "Meat's too high", "Somebody else has taken my place", "Investigation blues", "If you were my buddy" and the instrumental "Traveling". All the tracks from the album are included on the CD version.
AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL '85
L+R
Bellaphon
May 1985
I LOVE THE BLUES THEY HURT SO GOOD
Blues Network
October 1985
AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL - LIVE 85
L+R
October 1985
Une version de "Hold it right there" sur une scène allemande.
A version of "Hold it right there" on a german stage.
BLUES IN THE NIGHT vol.1 & 2
Fantasy
May 1986
Voici un concert rassemblant le saxophoniste Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson et la chanteuse Etta James (celle-ci chante sur une bonne moitié des titres). Eddie - presque 70 ans - se montre en forme au chant et au saxophone. Il est bien supporté par d'excellents musiciens comme Red Holloway, Jack Mac Duff ou Shuggie Otis. Un programme plaisant et varié - quoiqu'un peu long - et une chaude ambiance confèrent à cette performance un charme particulier.
This concert brings together saxophonist Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson and singer Etta James (the latter sings on a good half of the songs). Eddie, almost 70 years old, is in fine form on vocals and saxophone. He is well supported by excellent musicians such as Red Holloway, Jack Mac Duff and Shuggie Otis. A pleasant and varied program — albeit a little long — and a warm atmosphere give this performance a special charm.
OSCAR PETERSON + HARRY EDISON + EDDIE "CLEANHEAD" VINSON
Pablo
November 1986
A nouveau sous la bannière Pablo, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson est ici associé à deux jazzmen : le pianiste Oscar Peterson et le trompettiste Harry Edison. Il s'agit d'une séance de jazz tout instrumentale produite par Norman Granz plutôt sympathique. Belle participation du guitariste Joe Pass.
Once again under the Pablo banner, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson is teamed here with two jazz musicians : pianist Oscar Peterson and trumpeter Harry Edison. This is a rather pleasant all-instrumental jazz session produced by Norman Granz. A nice contribution from guitarist Joe Pass.