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Which Booker albums are the must haves?
It's kinda hard to pick just 3 albums.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
The Piano Prince of New Orleans (1976)
King of the New Orleans Keyboard (1985)
Spiders on the Keys - Live at the Maple Leaf (1993)
The Lost Paramount Tapes (1997)
New Orleans Piano Wizard: Live! (1977)
Resurrection of the Bayou Maharajah (1993)
Classified (Remixed & Expanded) (2013)
James Booker Manchester (1977)
Junco Partner (1976)
Gonzo: Live (1976)
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

You'd need to find someone who knows them all to get a proper answer. I've got Classified and Junco Partner, but don't know the others. Black Minute Waltz, from Junco Partner, is certainly a kick, tho' hardly representative of his style, in general.

Hi

First off if its worth mentioning that there is an excellent book of Booker transcriptions you can buy. I hasten to add they are quite difficult!

Of the recordings you mention I own:
Junco Partner
Spiders
Resurrection
The Lost Paramount Tapes

Comments:-

Junco Partner - is the best recorded. The Piano sound is great and Booker was apparently flying high when it was recorded! The sleeve notes with the album are very interesting. George Winston gives some technical explanation about Booker's various playing styles. The recording is solo Piano, with vocals on some tracks. It was the first Booker album I bought and having just put it on again, it brought tears to my eyes immediately.

Spiders / Resurrection - These recordings were never intended for release and were made live at the Maple Leaf bar between 1977 and 1982. The recording quality is well, average at best. However there are magical moments to be found. The version of "Sunny Side of the Street", on Spiders is a favourite, as is "All By Myself" on Resurrection. Interestingly there is edit in All By Myself if you listen carefully. On these dates with just a Piano he would stop mid song sometimes if distracted by something. The sleeve notes are very entertaining, quite a few funny stories. I think Spiders is all solo Piano. Resurrection is Piano and Vocals.

The Lost Paramount Tapes - recorded in 1973. This is Booker with a full band of top notch New Orleans players. The Piano he chose for the recording is a little spinet that has a Harpischord edge to it. But you don't notice that after a while. Again there numerous great moments. Although recorded in the studio the album was recorded live except for Booker's B3 overdubs.

I haven't heard the other albums so can't comment on them. I wouldn't want to give up any of the 4 albums I have.

Based on the quality of the 4 albums I own I don't think you'd go wrong with buying any 3 from that list.

Anyway I hope that helps a little.

Cheers

Simon

Yes, and I do like his classical improvisations, especially the Chopin ones!

Thanks for that! It's on the way from Amazon and yes, I am expecting it to be difficult. He's so good at playing stuff that would normally need 4 hands.

Here are links to the book and a couple of websites that offer transcriptions:
1. Book - The James Booker Collection
2. Website - Blues Piano Sheets
3. Website - James Booker Transcriptions

tend to rush / Simon_b - Thank you for the info on the albums you own, that was a help. I've narrowed down the album choices a bit. Here's where I'm at now:

-- -- -- VERY GOOD ratings on iTunes -- -- --

The Piano Prince of New Orleans (10 songs)
- Solo performances
- Recordings from Hamburg performances

Spiders on the Keys (13 songs)
- Solo performances
- Recordings from Maple Leaf Bar (related to Resurrection of the Bayou Maharajah)

The Lost Paramount Tapes (11 songs)
- Performances with an All-star cast of New Orleans musicians

Blues & Ragtime from New Orleans (10 songs)
- Solo performances
- Recordings from Hamburg performance

-- -- -- GOOD to VERY GOOD ratings on iTunes -- -- --

Classified Remixed and Expanded (22 songs)
- Comes with digital booklet

-- -- -- GOOD ratings on iTunes -- -- --

King of the New Orleans Keyboard (19 songs)
- These songs are ‘peppier’ and not so serious. A ‘fun’ set.
- Solo performances

New Orleans Piano Wizard: Live! (9 songs)
- Solo performances

Junco Partner (10 songs)
- Solo performances
- 1st album after he finished his prison sentence

-- -- -- OKAY ratings on iTunes -- -- --

Resurrection of the Bayou Maharajah (11 songs)
- Solo performances
- Lots of Medleys
- Recording from Maple Leaf Bar (related to Spiders on the Keys)

James Booker: Manchester ’77 (13 songs)
- Solo performances
- Poorest of the recordings, though Booker still comes across as interesting

Classified (12 songs)
- original album
- there is a newer remixed and expanded version (see above)

You need EVERY piano record Booker ever made. Period.

Thats right.