
Label: Syndicate Chapter
1971
Harmonica, Vocals – Little Walter
Guitar – David Miles (6) (tracks: A1, A4,), Fred Robertson (tracks: B6 to B8), Leonard Caston (2) (tracks: A2), Louis Miles (tracks: A1), Luther Tucker (tracks: A6 to A8, B1 to B8), Muddy Waters (tracks: B5), Robert Lockwood Jr. (tracks: A2 to A8, B1 to B4)
Piano – Otis Spann (tracks: B5 to B8)
Bass – Willie Dixon (tracks: A2 to A8, B1 to B8)
Drums – Fred Below (tracks: A1 to A8, B1 to B4), George Hunter (3) (tracks: B5 to B8)
Tracklist
A1 Too Late
A2 Thunderbird
A3 I Got To Go
A4 One More Chance With You
A5 Flying Saucer
A6 It's Too Late Brother
A7 Just A Feeling
A8 Teenage Beat
B1 Shake Dancer
B2 Temperature
B3 I've Had My Fun
B4 Ah'w Baby
B5 Rock Bottom
B6 Mean Old Frisco
B7 Break It Up
B8 Me And Piney Brown
As one would expect from any collection of Little Walter's '50s releases, this long-out-of-print British import of some of the blues harpist's rare sides is top-notch. Thunderbird will hopefully surface again, because it offers initiates a less-exhaustive alternative to Chess' sprawling yet fine double-CD set of Walter rarities, Blues With a Feeling. Either way, these excellent sides not only show off Walter's incredible harmonica work ("Teenage Beat," "Shake Dancer"), but spotlight his supple vocals as well ("It's Too Late Brother," "I've Had My Fun"). There's also plenty of the electric performances Walter always inspired in his '50s bands (a star-studded list, including Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, and Robert Lockwood Jr.). While Thunderbird languishes in the vaults, check out one of Walter's many single-disc Chess retrospectives; if you get hooked, purchase the Blues With a Feeling set. (Review by Stephen Cook)