King Porter - Special Request (re-up)

Side 1:
01. Russel St Hussel
02. Porter's Ball
03. Shuffling Boogie
04. Russell Street Hustle
05. King Porter Special
06. Bar Fly
07. Come On In
08. Battle Ax

Side 2:
01. Charlie The Boogie Man
02. Bumps Boogie
03. Hey Little Brownie
04. Should Have Rationed Myself
05. Chidtlin' Ball
06. Don't Let Fletcher Getcha
07. Special Request
08. I've Tried

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A re-up (with new cover and label scans) for a fine set of swingin' jump blues. Unusually, this compilation features sides by two completely different artists using the same moniker - "King Porter."

Side 1 features the Detroit based King Porter who was trumpeter James Poe. The two earliest sides, "Russel St. Hussel" and "Porter's Ball" (released in June / July 1948) are rumoured to have Paul Williams present on alto sax, but his name isn't among the musicians named on the label of the release.

Wild Bill Moore is very much present on the remaining Detroit sides. "King Porter Special" / "Shuffling Boogie" (King 4267 - released in February / March 1949) and "Russel St. Hustle" / "Bar Fly" (King 4295 - probably released June / July 1949) were possibly recorded for the local JVB label but sold on to King for release. The Detroit group recorded for King in Cincinnati on June 7th 1949, with one single, "Battle Ax" / "Come On In" being released on King 4333 in January 1950.

Meanwhile in California another King Porter band, led by trumpeter Vernon, "Jake" Porter (who would found the Combo label in the early '50s) was recording for Imperial and this outfit is featured on Side 2. Among the musicians were Marshall Royal, Gene Porter, Gene Philllips, and Bumps Myers. They were part of a group of musicians who recorded for several record companies under various identities, i.e as Gene Phillips and His Rhythm Aces for Modern, and on Imperial as Lloyd Glenn and His Joymakers or King Porter.

The final two tracks in the compilation are a bit of a puzzle. "I've Tried" / "Special Request" was released on West Coast label 4 Star in October 1952, but it's uncertain which of the two combos recorded these sides, or perhaps it was a third outfit using the King Porter name.

It's all good, clean jumpin' and jivin' fun!

King Porter - Special Request

This 1989 Official LP features not one, but two jump groups going under the name of “King Porter and His Orchestra”. Tracks 1 – 8 were recorded between 1947 and 1949 by a Detroit-based group led by trumpet player James Poe. The first two tracks were recorded for the small Paradise label. Tracks 3 to 6 were recorded for Joe Von Battle’s JVB label but sold to King who released them in 1949. Tracks 7 and 8 were recorded for King in Cincinnati. The Paradise sides probably have Paul Williams on alto sax, while the JVB and King sides have Wild Bill Moore on tenor sax.

Meanwhile out on The Coast, another King Porter was recording for Imperial. This was trumpeter/arranger Jake Porter who would found Combo Records a few years later. The group backing him was in fact guitarist Gene Phillips’ band which at various times featured Bumps Myers, Marshall Royal and Lloyd Glenn.

This leaves the last two tracks on the LP which were recorded in 1952 for the 4 Star label. It’s not certain which of the King Porter groups was on these recordings. Perhaps there was even a third band using the name?

As for the music, both bands put in good shifts with plenty of tough tenor work (especially from Wild Bill) on show.

Ripped from vinyl at 320 kbps. Password = greaseyspoon

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1. Russel St Hussel
2. Porter's Ball
3. Shuffling Boogie
4. Russell Street Hustle
5. King Porter Special
6. Bar Fly
7. Come On In
8. Battle Ax
9. Charlie The Boogie Man
10. Bumps Boogie (vocal – Gene Phillips)
11. Hey Little Brownie (vocal – Gene Phillips)
12. Should Have Rationed Myself (vocal – Gene Phillips)
13. Chidtlin' Ball (vocal – Gene Phillips)
14. Don't Let Fletcher Getcha
15. Special Request
16. I've Tried (vocal – Marie Wells)