VARIOUS ARTISTS
Central Rocks!: The Central Avenue Scene 1951-58 #2 (Ace Records; CD)
     A companion volume to 2003's Straight To Watts (CDCHD 868), this compilation extends further out into the rock 'n' roll years than that earlier release, but features largely the same or similar performers from Jake Porter's Los Angeles based Combo Records. Porter was a swing era veteran who settled in Los Angeles when the decline of the big bands left him unemployed at the end of the 1940s. His Combo label, begun as simply an outlet for his own work with the Jake Porter Combo, soon tapped in to the wealth of talent that had washed up on the West Coast during and after WWII.
     Many of the first artists and musicians employed by Porter were, understandably, those he had come into contact with during his big band days. Ernie Fields, Jack McVea, Floyd Turnham, Brother Woodman and Rozelle Gayle, were all old jazzers that were yet young enough to update their jump tunes into sax-led honkers and shouters. One of Porter's first successes was tenor sax maniac Chuck Higgins, a younger musician who made up in energy and enthusiasm what he lacked in technique. Higgins' older brother Fred (known as "Daddy Cleanhead") here sings the cool answer song 'Real Gone Hound Dog' and the furious 'Big Fat Mama'. A saxophonist like Higgins, Texan Joe Houston was also a successful artist for Combo later in the 1950s; here he blows the sinuous 'Curfew' from 1959 (despite the CD's subtitle!). Mirroring the trend of white rock 'n' roll, as the 1950s drew on sax-dominated R&B gave way to a more guitar-led sound, and this is displayed by the electrifying Robbin Ray and the more laid-back Cledus Harrison.
     With a healthy haul of seven previously unissued takes and masters (including a priceless first take of Combo's greatest hit, 1954's 'Ko Ko Mo' by Gene & Eunice) and the usual attractive 12-page booklet annotated by California expert and resident Jim Dawson, this release is another important reissue from Ace Records and an essential purchase for any fan of 1950s black music.
www.acerecords.co.uk
Dave Penny

DOC WATSON
Good Deal! Doc Watson In Nashville (Ace/Vanguard Records; CD)
Doc Watson & Son (Ace/Vanguard Records; CD)
     Although born in 1923, Arthel "Doc" Watson did not make his recording debut until 1960. He had been playing guitar since 1936 and was part of the legendary Clarence Ashley's String Band; a group that played New York City in 1960, recording for Folkways and sparking off the huge folk music revival of the early 1960s. In 1962 Doc split from Ashley to record for Vanguard Records, the company with whom he would remain for the next decade.
     Most comfortable in a solo or duo setting, Doc was nevertheless matched with a country band - in fact THE country band - when 'Good Deal!' was recorded in March 1968 with the Nashville A-team which included Grady Martin (guitar), Tommy Jackson (fiddle) and Floyd Cramer (piano). The setting may be unfamiliar, but not Doc's repertoire, chosen from traditional old timey war-horses like the ancient 'Shady Grove', 1930s country hits from the likes of Jimmie Rodgers, Roy Acuff, Cliff Carlisle and The Carter Family, and old minstrel/vaudeville showstoppers such as 'Alabama Jubilee' and 'Bye Bye Blues'. Hot picks must be the powerful 'Train That Carried My Girl From Town' (solos by Don Stover on banjo, Grady Martin on guitar and the twin fiddles of Tommy Jackson and Buddy Spicher) and the rocking 'Step It Up And Go' (solos from the fiddles, Stover, Cramer and Doc in its short sub two minute span).  
     The Doc Watson & Son LP was issued in 1965 and features Doc (vocal/guitar/harmonica) accompanied by his 15 year old son, Merle on second guitar. Named after dad's hero Merle Travis, astonishingly son Merle had been playing the instrument for less than a year at the time of this recording, and acquits himself very well - even measured against the yardstick of his virtuoso father! With a repertoire mainly taken, as usual, from traditional music ('Little Sadie', 'Fiddler's Dram' etc) and based on blues ('Weary Blues', 'Rising Sun Blues' etc), diversification is provided by the novelty solo harmonica piece 'Mama Blues', the Delmore Brothers' sprightly 'Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar' and some touching country-gospel with 'We Shall All Be Reunited' and the unaccompanied 'Faithful Soldier'. Best track tho', is the slow-burning instrumental 'Memphis Blues' - an all-too-short one and a half minute masterpiece.
     Ace have already issued the toe-dipping sampler Best Of Doc Watson (VCD 79535) for curious newcomers, while fans will also treasure the attractive box set, The Vanguard Years (VCD4 155).
www.acerecords.co.uk
Dave Penny