triptych 1 - Reelin' and Rollin'

Big Joe Turner was a blues shouter from Kansas City who was singing rock and roll before people called it that.  Jump blues, swing, boogie woogie, whatever you want to call it, Big Joe had it goin' on.  He stood 6'2" and weighed more than 300 pounds, hence his name.  "Shake, Rattle and Roll" is one of his most popular tracks.

Big Joe Turner

Another big man, Chubby Checker, was born in Spring Gulley, South Carolina.  His breakout song, "The Twist," created a dance sensation in the early 1960s.  He's still performing it today at the age of 69.  Happy birthday, Chubby!

Chubby Checker

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion is a trio out of New York City that plays a primal form of rock and roll that wouldn't have sounded too terribly out of place back in the 1950s -- although lead singer Jon Spencer's stage antics would have likely raised a few eyebrows.  Spencer also appeared in the bands Boss Hog and Pussy Galore, and he's played with blues legends from R.L. Burnsides to Otha Turner.  "Money Back Rock'n'Roll" is vintage Explosion. 

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Click here to download the three tracks:  Reelin' and Rollin'