Eurreal Witford Montgomery
b. April 18th, 1906 in Kentwood (Louisiana)
d. September 6th, 1985 in Champaign (Illinois)
COMPLETE RECORDED WORKS
Document
September 1930 - October 1936
Né à la frontière entre le Mississippi et la Louisiane, il apprend, dès l'enfance, le piano. Sous l'influence du jazzman Jelly Roll Morton, il joue dans les barrelhouses de la région. Little Brother fait aussi partie de nombreux orchestres de Jazz et fait de fréquents aller-retours entre Chicago (où il réside une première fois entre 1928 et 1931) et le sud. Il trouve aussi l'opportunité de graver ses premiers morceaux pour Paramount en septembre 1930 : "No special rider" et "Vicksburg blues". En 1935-36, Little Brother enregistre substantiellement pour Bluebird entre Blues et Jazz : "The woman I love", "Pleading blues", une nouvelle version de "Vicksburg blues", "Tantalizing blues", "Leaving town blues", "Farish Street jive", "Shreveport farewell".
Born on the Mississippi-Louisiana border, he learned to play the piano in childhood. Influenced by jazz musician Jelly Roll Morton, he played in the region's barrelhouses. Little Brother also performed with numerous jazz bands and frequently traveled back and forth between Chicago (where he lived from 1928 to 1931) and the South. He also had the opportunity to record his first tracks for Paramount in september 1930 : "No special rider" and "Vicksburg blues". In 1935–36, Little Brother made significant recordings for Bluebird spanning both blues and jazz : "The woman I love", "Pleading blues", une nouvelle version de "Vicksburg blues", "Tantalizing blues", "Leaving town blues", "Farish Street jive", "Shreveport farewell".
VOCAL ACCOMPANIMENTS & EARLY POST-WAR RECORDINGS
Document
March 1947 / April 1949 / May 1954
Dans ce disque, on trouve, d'abord, les titres que Little Brother Montgomery grava dans les années 30, en tant que sidemen, derrière les chanteuses Irene Scruggs, Minnie Hicks et Annie Turner. On peut écouter également des enregistrements plus tardifs - en leader cette fois - gravés pour les labels Century, Savoy (quatre titres inédits) et Windin' Ball. Les titres Century sont entièrement dévolus au Jazz. Les quatre titres instrumentaux, prévus pour le label Savoy mais restés inédits, présentent Little Brother seul au piano. Enfin, il joue également seul lors de la séance pour Windin' Ball (le label de Birch Smith). Un programme intéressant qu'il faut conseiller avant tout aux fans confirmés.
This album features, first of all, tracks Little Brother Montgomery recorded in the 1930's as a sideman backing singers Irene Scruggs, Minnie Hicks and Annie Turner. It also includes later recordings — this time as a leader — made for the Century, Savoy (four previously unreleased tracks) and Windin' Ball labels. The Century tracks are devoted entirely to Jazz. The four instrumental tracks, intended for Savoy but left unreleased, feature Little Brother solo on piano. He also performs solo during the session for Windin' Ball (Birch Smith's label). It is an interesting collection recommended primarily for dedicated fans.
BLUES PIANO ORGY
Delmark
1946 - 1947
Ces quatre beaux morceaux inédits ne furent édités qu'en 1972 grâce à Bob Koester et son label Delmark. Ils avaient été enregistrés pour le label Disc juste avant sa banqueroute : "Stendhal stomp", "Tremblin' blues", "No special rider" et "Bass key boogie".
These four fine previously unreleased tracks were not issued until 1972 thanks to Bob Koester and his label Delmark. They had been recorded for the Disc label just before it went bankrupt : "Stendhal stomp", "Tremblin' blues", "No special rider" and "Bass key boogie".
BLUES PIANO CHICAGO PLUS
Atlantic
July 1951
Quatre morceaux gravés par Atlantic et les producteurs Ahmet Ertegun et Herb Abramson en particulier les sympathiques "Talkin' boogie" et l'instrumental "Farish Street jive".
Four tracks recorded by Atlantic and producers Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson notably the likable "Talkin' boogie" and the instrumental "Farish Street jive".
UNISSUED BLUES OF THE 50'S FROM COBRA & JOB
Flyright
October 1953
Deux bons titres initialement enregistrés pour le label J.O.B. mais restés inédits : "Keep drinkin'" et "Boogie".
Two fine tracks originally recorded for the J.O.B. label but left unreleased : "Keep drinkin'" and "Boogie".
THE PIANO BLUES UNISSUED RECORDINGS vol.1 : THESE ARE WHAT I LIKE
Magpie
June - August 1960
Ces séances furent gravés en Angleterre à l'initiative du producteur anglais Francis Wilford Smith. Chanteur moyen mais pianiste au jeu souple, Little Brother Montgomery joue seul une combinaison de compositions personnelles et de reprises de classiques, souvent instrumentaux. Un programme intéressant mais qui peut paraitre un peu répétitif par instants.
These sessions were recorded in England at the initiative of british producer Francis Wilford Smith. An average singer but a pianist with a fluid style, Little Brother Montgomery performs a solo set combining original compositions and covers of classics, often instrumental ones. It is an interesting program though it can seem a bit repetitive at times.
THE PIANO BLUES UNISSUED RECORDINGS vol.2 : THOSE I LIKED I LEARNED
Magpie
June - August 1960
TASTY BLUES
Prestige - Bluesville
OBC
URBAN BLUES
Fantasy
July 1960
Pendant le Blues Revival, Little Brother Montgomery enregistra substantiellement. Cette séance organisée pour le label Bluesville (appartenant à Prestige) présente Mongtomery aux côtés du guitariste Lafayette Thomas. Il délivre un excellent programme entre Blues et Jazz (parfois instrumental) avec des titres inspirés comme "Tasty blues", "Pleading blues", "No special rider", "Something keeps worrying me", "Cry cry baby", "Vicksburg blues". L'album est repris entièrement dans le CD "Urban blues" proposé par Fantasy.
During the Blues Revival, Little Brother Montgomery recorded extensively. This session, organized for the Bluesville label (a subsidiary of Prestige), features Montgomery alongside guitarist Lafayette Thomas. He delivers an excellent program that bridges blues and jazz (including some instrumental tracks) with inspired numbers such as "Tasty blues", "Pleading blues", "No special rider", "Something keeps worrying me", "Cry cry baby", "Vicksburg blues". The entire album is included on the CD "Urban blues" released by Fantasy.
CONVERSATION WITH THE BLUES
Decca
July 1960
On trouve dans cette formidable anthologie deux titres issus d'une séance organisée par Paul Oliver en juillet 1960 chez Jump Jackson : "Dud low Joe" et "Vicksburg blues". On entend également Little Brother parler sur quelques courtes pistes sonores.
This superb anthology includes two tracks from the session organized by Paul Oliver in july 1960 at Jump Jackson's place : "Dud low Joe" and "Vicksburg blues". Little Brother can also be heard speaking on a few short audio tracks.
CHICAGO BLUES SESSION
77
Redita
Southland
July 1960
Enregistré dans le garage-studio de Jump Jackson sur LaSalle Street à Chicago par Paul Oliver, le disque est partagé entre Sunnyland Slim et Little Brother Montgomery. Ce dernier offre cinq bons titres notamment "Trembling blues", "My electrical invention blues" et "That's why I keep drinking".
Recorded in Jump Jackson's garage-studio on LaSalle Street in Chicago by Paul Oliver, the record is shared between Sunnyland Slim and Little Brother Montgomery. The latter offers five good tracks notably "Trembling blues", "My electrical invention blues" and "That's why I keep drinking".
THE LA SALLE CHICAGO BLUES RECORDINGS
Wolf
July 1960
LITTLE BROTHER
Columbia
Metronome
Aves
August 1960
De retour sur le sol anglais, Little Brother grave à Londres cette sympathique séance pour le producteur Denis Preston en compagnie de musiciens anglais. Il y a même la collaboration du trompettiste Ken Colyer sur trois titres et du guitariste Alexis Korner sur deux titres. Une tracklist Blues-Jazz intéressante avec "I keep drinkin'", "Chinese man blues", "Old maid blues".
Back on english ground, Little Brother recorded this nice session in London for producer Denis Preston, accompanied by british musicians. The project even features contributions from trumpeter Ken Colyer on three tracks and guitarist Alexis Korner on two. It is an engaging blues-jazz tracklist including "I keep drinkin'", "Chinese man blues", "Old maid blues".
BLUES
Folkways
1960
Little Brother enregistra substantiellement pour le label Folkways de Moses Asch en 1960 et 1961. Dans cette séance placée sous la supervision de Rudi Blesh, il joue seul au piano une belle tracklist entièrement tournée vers le Blues et le Ragtime : "Pleading the blues", "Early one morning", "Crescent City blues", "I ain't no bulldog".
Little Brother recorded extensively for Moses Asch’s Folkways label in 1960 and 1961. In this session, overseen by Rudi Blesh, he performs a fine selection of tracks — all rooted in Blues and Ragtime — on solo piano including "Pleading the blues", "Early one morning", "Crescent City blues", "I ain't no bulldog".
FARRO STREET JIVE
Folkways
Xtra
1960
Ces nouveaux titres pour Folkways furent enregistrés par Raeburn Flerlage (probablement lors des mêmes séances que le précédent "Blues"). On retrouve donc Little Brother seul au piano jouant ses Blues habituels ainsi que des airs traditionnels. Parfois un peu répétitif et monotone, l'album plaira avant tout aux amateurs de piano blues. Dans la version Xtra, on trouve une prise alternative inédite.
These new tracks for Folkways were recorded by Raeburn Flerlage (likely during the same sessions as the previous "Blues" release). We find Little Brother alone at the piano, playing his signature blues numbers as well as traditional tunes. While occasionally a bit repetitive and monotonous, the album will primarily appeal to fans of piano blues. In the Xtra version, we find an unissued alternative take.
SPIRITUALS
Xtra
CHURCH SONGS
Folkways
1961
Comme les deux titres l'indiquent, ces morceaux gravés sous la supervision de Moses Asch pour Folkways sont essentiellement des Spirituals et des Gospel. Pour l'occasion, Little Brother Montgomery est accompagné de choristes et d'un trompettiste. Malgré quelques bons moments, le programme manque de flamme et de ferveur. Bien qu'il s'agisse d'une séance Folkways, elle sera d'abord éditée par Xtra en 1965 (Folkways ne la rééditera que dix ans plus tard).
As the two titles suggest, these tracks recorded under the supervision of Moses Asch for the Folkways label consist primarily of Spirituals and Gospel songs. For this occasion, Little Brother Montgomery is joined by backing vocalists and a trumpeter. Despite a few nice moments, the material lacks fire and fervor. Although it was a Folkways session, it was first released by Xtra in 1965 (Folkways would not reissue it until ten years later).
CHICAGO : THE LIVING LEGENDS
Riverside
OBC
September 1961
Le producteur Chris Albertson et le photographe Steve Schapiro découvrent Little Brother Montgomery dans un club de Chicago. Albertson décide de l'enregistrer quelques jours après avec des musiciens de Jazz et le banjoïste Mike Mac Kendrick. La séance - entre Blues et Jazz - se révèle relativement intéressante et sort sur le label Riverside.
Producer Chris Albertson and photographer Steve Schapiro discovered Little Brother Montgomery at a club in Chicago. A few days later, Albertson decided to record him, accompanied by jazz musicians and banjo player Mike Mac Kendrick. The session — blending blues and jazz — proved to be quite interesting and was released on the Riverside label.
SOUTH SIDE BLUES
Riverside
OBC
September 1961
On trouve ici un titre supplémentaire issu de la séance organisée par Chris Albertson ("New satellite blues").
Included here is an additional track from the session organized by Chris Albertson ("New satellite blues").
RARE GEMS
Roots
1963
On trouve dans cette anthologie quatre morceaux capturés au club Fickle Pickle par Norman Dayron en 1963.
This anthology includes four tracks captured at the Fickle Pickle club by Norman Dayron in 1963.
CHICAGO BREAKDOWN
Takoma
Sonet
1963
RARE BLUES
Takoma
Sonet
1963
I BLUESKVARTER vol. 2 & 3
Jefferson
May 1964
Pour documenter une série d'émissions radiophoniques sur le blues, le suédois Olle Helander fait quelques séjours à Chicago à partir de mai 1964. Il s'installe au Sutherland Lounge pour enregistrer et interviewer les artistes de la ville. Little Brother y est interviewé et joue six excellents morceaux pour lesquels il est accompagné par le guitariste Mike Bloomfield en particulier "West Texas blues", "Up the country blues" et "Suitcase blues".
To document a radio series on the blues, the swedish Olle Helander made several trips to Chicago in may 1964. He settled at Sutherland Lounge to record and interview the artists of the city. Little Brother is interviewed there and performs six excellent tracks for which he is accompanied by guitarist Mike Bloomfield notably "West Texas blues", "Up the country blues" and "Suitcase blues".
THE QUEEN AND HER KNIGHTS
Spivey
April 1965
AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL '66
Fontana
Amiga
October 1966
Little Brother Montgomery fut invité à participer à la tournée de l'American Folk Blues Festival de 1966. Il joue une belle version de "I keep on drinking" avec le batteur Fred Below dans ce recueil.
Little Brother Montgomery was invited to take part in the 1966 American Folk Blues Festival tour. In this collection, he performs a fine version of "I keep on drinking" alongside drummer Fred Below.
AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL '66 vol.2
Amiga
October 1966
On trouve dans ce microsillon un autre titre de Little Brother Montgomery enregistré pendant la tournée de l'American Folk Blues Festival ("Pinetop's boogie woogie").
This record includes another track by Little Brother Montgomery recorded during the American Folk Blues Festival tour ("Pinetop's boogie woogie").
BYE BYE BIRD SOLO BLUES
Scout
October 1966
Little Brother Montgomery joue ici son titre fétiche "Vicksburg blues" (avec le batteur Fred Below) sur la scène de l'American Folk Blues Festival.
Here, Little Brother Montgomery performs his signature song "Vicksburg blues" (with drummer Fred Below) on the stage of the American Folk Blues Festival.
NO SPECIAL RIDER
Adelphi
Genes
WORRIED BLUES
Fat Possum
September 1969
Au creux de la vague depuis quelques années, ayant eu aussi quelques ennuis de santé, Little Brother Montgomery trouve l'opportunité d'enregistrer un nouveau disque grâce au producteur Gene Rosenthal. Pour l'occasion, il est parfois rejoint par la chanteuse Jeanne Carroll et le guitariste Mike Stewart. On apprécie cette belle séance, peu originale, mais très spontanée : "Prisoner bound blues", "Cow cow blues", "New Vicksburg blues", "Oh daddy". Les rééditions Genes et Fat Possum ajoutent deux titres supplémentaires (dont "Muleface blues").
Having experienced a lull in his career for several years, compounded by some health issues, Little Brother Montgomery found an opportunity to record a new album thanks to producer Gene Rosenthal. For the occasion, he was occasionally joined by singer Jeanne Carroll and guitarist Mike Stewart. It is an enjoyable session, if not particularly original, but recorded with spontaneity : "Prisoner bound blues", "Cow cow blues", "New Vicksburg blues", "Oh daddy". Reissues from the Genes and Fat Possum labels include two additional tracks (including "Muleface blues").
HOME AGAIN
Saydisc - Matchbox
January 1972
Cette séance fut organisée par Gef Lucena (fondateur du label Saydisc) au domicile de Little Brother Montgomery sur South Drexel Avenue à Chicago. Il propose des pièces Blues et Jazz parfois interprétées avec sa femme Janet Floberg. Une séance informelle qu'on conseillera avant tout aux complétistes.
This session was organized by Gef Lucena (founder of the Saydisc label) at the home of Little Brother Montgomery on South Drexel Avenue in Chicago. It features Blues and Jazz pieces, some of which are performed with his wife, Janet Floberg. It is an informal session that can be recommended primarily to completists.
DEEP SOUTH PIANO
Storyville
BLUES MASTERS vol.7
Storyville
September 1972
De passage en Europe, Little Brother enregistre pour le label Storyville sur le sol danois en septembre 1972. Seul au piano - comme souvent - il offre une tracklist plus originale que d'habitude avec "I must get mine in front", "Hesitatin' blues", "Miles Davis blues", "Yodlin' blues". Quatre titres inédits figurent sur la réédition CD "Blues masters vol.7" (dont "Shreveport farewell").
While visiting Europe in september 1972, Little Brother recorded for the Storyville label on Danish ground. Performing solo at the piano — as he often did — he presented a more original tracklist than usual featuring "I must get mine in front", "Hesitatin' blues", "Miles Davis blues", "Yodlin' blues". Four previously unreleased tracks are included on the CD reissue "Blues masters vol.7" (including "Shreveport farewell").
BAJES COPPER STATION
Blues Beacon
October 1972
Un concert à Amsterdam (Pays Bas) proposé par le label allemand Blues Beacon. Little Brother, seul au piano, y délivre une prestation routinière, chantant son répertoire habituel sans grande originalité, ni surprise. A la set-list de base, la réédition CD de 1993 a ajouté trois titres inédits.
A concert in Amsterdam (Netherlands) presented by the german label Blues Beacon. Little Brother, alone at the piano, delivers a routine performance, singing his usual repertoire without much originality or any surprises. The 1993 CD reissue adds three previously unreleased tracks to the original setlist.
LITTLE BROTHER MONTGOMERY
Southland
Fall 1972
Cette séance, mise sur pied lors de la tournée européenne de 1972 faite par Little Brother Montgomery, fut enregistrée par Dave Bennett. Les bandes furent confiées à la GHB Jazz Foundation et finirent par être éditées en 2007 par le label américain Southland. Un sympathique moment de Piano Blues avec "Crescent City blues", "Muleface", "Little Brother's little boogie" et des reprises intéressantes de Duke Ellington.
This session, organized during Little Brother Montgomery’s 1972 european tour, was recorded by Dave Bennett. The tapes were entrusted to the GHB Jazz Foundation and were eventually released in 2007 by the american label Southland. It is an enjoyable collection of piano blues, featuring tracks such as "Crescent City blues", "Muleface", "Little Brother's little boogie" alongside some interesting covers of Duke Ellington.
GOODBYE MISTER BLUES
Delmark
September 1973 / April 1975 / January 1976
Ce CD, édité en 1993 par Delmark, rassemble différentes séances entre 1973 et 1976 capturées par Stu Black. Elles présentent Little Brother accompagné par des jazzmen néo-orléanais. Entre Blues et Jazz sous influence de la Nouvelle Orléans, voici un programme consistant et inspiré : "South Rampart Street parade", "Tishomingo blues", "Old maid blues", "Saturday night function", "Wailing blues". Pour information, lors des mêmes séances et avec les mêmes musiciens, Edith Wilson enregistra son album "He may be your man".
This CD, released in 1993 by Delmark, brings together various sessions recorded between 1973 and 1976 by Stu Black. They feature Little Brother accompanied by jazz musicians from New Orleans. Blending blues and jazz with a distinct New Orleans influence, the collection offers a consistent and inspired program, including tracks such as "South Rampart Street parade", "Tishomingo blues", "Old maid blues", "Saturday night function", "Wailing blues". Notably, during these same sessions — and with the very same musicians — Edith Wilson recorded her album "He may be your man".
BLUES LIVE
Trio
Vivid Sound
July 1975
Little Brother Montgomery joua sur le sol japonais en juillet 1975 à l'occasion d'un festival de blues local. Ce rare microsillon, supervisé par Yasufumi Higurashi, reprend les morceaux joués à cette occasion. Un programme sympathique, peu original, mais bien joué et bien enregistré.
Little Brother Montgomery performed in Japan in july 1975 as part of a local blues festival. This rare LP, overseen by Yasufumi Higurashi, features the tracks performed on that occasion. It is an enjoyable set, not particularly original, but well-played and well-recorded.
THE DEVIL'S MUSIC
Red Lightnin'
Indigo
January 1976
Il s'agit de la bande son d'un documentaire sur le Blues réalisé pour la BBC. On trouve deux bons titres de Little Brother : "Vicksburg blues" et "I ain't got no special rider now".
This is the soundtrack of a documentary on the Blues produced for the BBC. There are two good Little Brother titles : "Vicksburg blues" and "I ain't got no special rider now".
AT HOME
Earwig
November 1967 / September 1976 / September 1979 / July 1982
Comme le titre de l'album l'indique, la plupart de ces titres (sauf deux) ont été enregistrés au domicile de Little Brother et de sa femme Janet à Chicago. Parfois seul, souvent accompagné d'une poignée de sidemen, le bluesman y joue ses blues habituels avec verve et inspiration : "Louisiana blues", "Brother Red's boogie", "Suitcase blues", "Yankee doodle blues" (chanté par Edith Wilson) et l'excellent "Mini skirt blues".
As the album title suggests, most of these tracks (with the exception of two) were recorded at the Chicago home of Little Brother and his wife, Janet. Sometimes performing solo, and often accompanied by a handful of sidemen, the bluesman plays his signature blues numbers with verve and inspiration including "Louisiana blues", "Brother Red's boogie", "Suitcase blues", "Yankee doodle blues" (featuring vocals by Edith Wilson) and the excellent "Mini skirt blues".
TISHOMINGO BLUES
JSP
March 1980
Voici un concert capturé dans un club de Londres. Little Brother - malgré une voix affaiblie - joue ses titres habituels, sans grande surprise, entre blues, jazz et ragtime. Un programme un peu routinier et passablement ennuyeux.
Here is a concert recorded at a London club. Little Brother — despite a weakened voice — performs his usual repertoire, with few surprises, spanning blues, jazz, and ragtime. It is a somewhat routine and rather dull program.
PIANO BLUES LEGENDS
JSP
March 1980
Un titre supplémentaire ("Saint Louis blues") provenant du même concert à Londres.
An additional track ("Saint Louis blues") from the same concert in London.
LITTLE BROTHER MONTGOMERY AND THE JAZZ ALL STARS
FM
July 1982
Il s'agit de la dernière séance de Little Brother Montgomery. Ici, il est accompagné de jazzmen emmenés par Leon Kelert. Un programme de jazz avec une qualité sonore assez moyenne. Little Brother fit ses dernières apparitions en public en 1983 et décéda deux ans plus tard.
This is Little Brother Montgomery’s final session. He is accompanied here by a group of jazz musicians led by Leon Kelert. It is a jazz program with rather average sound quality. Little Brother made his last public appearances in 1983 and passed away two years later.