Watching the success of indie labels like Atlantic, Chess, Specialty, Imperial, and others, industry giant RCA decided to re-enter the Rhythm & Blues field. RCA had dominated blues recording during the late 1920s and '30s, but the company dropped most of its blues artists, along with many of its country artists, during wartime raw materials rationing. In 1954, RCA decided to get back in the game -The bands were always top-notch, including session genius Mickey Baker as well as bandleaders Paul Williams and Buddy Lucas. In an exclusive deal with RCA/Sony in New York, Bear Family acquired access to the entire Groove catalog, restoring the masters to pristine sound and finding rare and unpublished photos. Award-winning R&B historian Bill Dahl wrote the extensive essays.
- 1 Lost Jawbone
- 2 Goin' Back Home
- 3 The Ups
- 4 No Dice
- 5 Hold Me Baby
- 6 Louise
- 7 Love Blues
- 8 There Goes That Train
- 9 'Taint right
- 10 Don't Leave Me
- 11 41 Highway
- 12 Tell Me Baby
- 13 I Got Drunk
- 14 Romance In The Dark
- 15 I Need A Good Woman
- 16 What Makes Me Love You So
- 17 Hoolin' Blues No. 2
- 18 You've Been Good To Everybody
- 19 Catfish
- 20 Beantown Boogie
- 21 Lonesome Bedroom
- 22 Lonely Road Blues
- 23 Throw This Old Dog A Bone
- 24 I Need Help
- 25 I Took You In Baby
- 26 Won't You Forgive Me
- 27 Story Of My Life
- 28 I Wash My Hands
- 29 I'll Live My Life Alone
- 30 Juice Head Woman
- 31 Sentimental Blues
- 32 Into Each Heart (Some Tears Must Fall)
- 33 Wait Till Next Year, Baby
