BUTTERBOY : Various Artists British Blues roots . . . . .

Shake That Thing! The Blues in Britain 1963-1973 [2023] (3 x CDs)

BRITISH BLUES

VA - Shake That Thing! The Blues in Britain 1963-1973 [2023] (3 x CDs)

“Shake That Thing! The Blues in Britain 1963-1973” is a stellar compilation that encapsulates the British blues scene during a pivotal decade. Released in 2023, this 3-CD box set is a goldmine for blues lovers, featuring 73 tracks that highlight the profound impact of American blues on British musicians.

The compilation’s meticulous research and curation stand out, offering a mix of well-known and obscure tracks that paint a comprehensive picture of the genre’s evolution in the UK. You’ll find legendary artists like Alexis Korner, John Mayall, and Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, alongside hidden gems from acts like The Purple Gang and The Panama Limited Jug Band.

Tracks featuring iconic musicians such as Rod Stewart, Jimmy Page, and Eric Clapton add historical significance. For instance, Rod Stewart’s collaboration with Long John Baldry on “Up Above My Head I Hear Music In The Air” and Eric Clapton’s vocals on “Ramblin’ On My Mind” are highlights that showcase the early days of these now-legendary artists.

The compilation also excels in showcasing the diversity within the British blues scene. From the psychedelic folk blues of Trader Horne to the raw, traditional blues of Alexis Korner, there’s a rich variety of styles and influences on display. In fact, key British artists run the stylistic gamut of R&B, electric blues, country blues, folk blues, blues rock, jug band music, Gospel, hokum, and ragtime.

This “Shake That Thing! The Blues in Britain 1963-1973” compilation focuses on all facets of the blues in the UK during the genre's most popular era.  It is a must-have for any blues aficionado. It offers a deep dive into the history of British blues and provides a listening experience that’s both educational and immensely enjoyable. (Butterboy)

Tracklisting

CD1

01 Cyril Davies His Rhythm & Blues All-Stars - Country Line Special 2:20
02 Long John Baldry - Up Above My Head I Hear Music In The Air 2:51
03 Rod Stewart - Good Morning Little School Girl 2:07
04 Davy Graham - Goin' Down Slow 2:28
05 Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated - Preachin' The Blues 2:19
06 Alex Harvey - Honey Bee 4:09
07 John Renbourn - Louisiana Blues 3:00
08 Beverley Martyn - Me & My Gin 4:06
09 John Mayall With Eric Clapton - Ramblin' On My Mind 3:08
10 Animals - See See Rider 4:01
11 Purple Gang - Boot Leg Whisky 3:19
12 Ten Years After - Don't Want You Woman 2:37
13 Ian A. Anderson - Cottonfield Blues 2:32
14 Ian A. Anderson & Elliot Jackson - Shake 'em On Down 2:42
15 Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac - The World Keep On Turning 2:30
16 Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac - Hellhound On My Trail 2:01
17 Savoy Brown - Vicksburg Blues 4:04
18 Simon & Steve - Say No To The Devil 2:56
19 Panama Limited Jug Band - Cocaine Habit 2:31
20 Mike Cooper & Ian A. Anderson - The Inverted World 2:35
21 Missouri Compromise - Dark Road Blues 2:48
22 Chicken Shack - See See Baby 2:25
23 Wizz Jones - Spoonful 3:27
24 Dave Kelly - A Few Short Lines 3:34
25 Al Jones - Searchin' The Desert For The Blues 2:01
26 Alexis Korner - Steal Away 4:44 

 

CD2
01 Jethro Tull - Day The Sun Won't Shine For You 2:47
02 John Martyn - Goin' Down To Memphis 3:08
03 Deviants - Blind Joe Mcturk's Last Session 1:22
04 Pentangle - Turn Your Money Green 3:01
05 John Mayall's Bluesbreakers - Laurel Canyon Home 4:35
06 Dr. K's Blues Band - Crippled Clarence 2:01
07 Bert Jansch - Blues 2:43
08 Shakey Vick - Come On In My Kitchen 3:21
09 Jellybread - Driving Wheel 3:37
10 Jo-Ann Kelly - Moon Goin' Down 4:04
11 Ralph Mctell - (My) Baby Keeps Staying Out All Night Long 1:55
12 Killing Floor - Lou's Blues 2:38
13 Clague - Bottle Up & Go 3:11
14 Steve Rye - Bread Of Heaven 2:44
15 Fran Mcgillivray - It Hurts Me Too 2:40
16 Prager, Rye & Hall - Stop Breakin' Down 2:57
17 Mike Cooper - See Me Running 2:34
18 Tom Robinson - No Whiskey 2:43
19 Little Brother Dave - No More Doggin' 3:02
20 Sam Mitchell - Leaf Without A Tree 4:58
21 Duffy Power - City Women 2:26
22 Gerry Lockran - Evil Hearted Man 2:03
23 Occasional Word - Megaphone  I'm So Glad 4:07
24 Tramp - Too Late Now 2:41
25 Bronx Cheer - Prison Wall Blues 2:07 

 

CD3
01 Blue Blood - Black Mountain Blues 2:25
02 Siren - Bertha Lee 3:18
02 John James - Picture Rag 3:05
04 Brett Marvin And The Thunderbolts - Haven't Any Hay 2:14
05 Andy Roberts - John The Revelator 2:04
06 Medicine Head - Walkin' Blues 3:10
07 Black Cat Bones - Death Valley Blues 3:55
08 Red Dirt - I've Been Down 2:33
09 Trader Horne - Down And Out Blues 4:36
10 Incredible String Band - Robot Blues 4:10
11 Climax Chicago Blues Band - Country Hat 1:58
12 Roger Hubbard - Cigarette Blues 3:02
13 Taste - Gambiln' Blues 6:19
14 Humble Pie - Rollin' Stone 5:59
15 Mungo Jerry - San Francisco Bay Blues 3:40
16 Jackie Mcauley - Poor Howard 2:00
17 Strange Fruit - Shake That Thing 2:34
18 Kevin Coyne - Evil Island Home 5:01
19 Tight Like That - How You Want Your Rolling Done 5:26
20 Dave Ellis - Interlude 1:21
21 Rory Gallagher - Bankers Blues 4:46
22 Dave Peabody - Last Of The Good Time Guys 2:09

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This is nice and fascinating to boot . . . . a search into early British Blues n roots thereof!

I saw the tracklist and wondered a bit but it is worth checking out Butterboy’s thesis here . . . . . some gems and some well know and some hidden!