It is somehow fitting that a musician responsible for such gutsy, uncompromising music was born and raised in the Watts district of Los Angeles, CA.
"Deacon" Big Jay McNeely helped establish rock & roll by hammering out a stream of jump records that were perfect for dancing and carousing purposes. Most of these tunes are grandstand blowouts, tempered with occasional slow and substantial essays in blue like "Deacon's Groove (Cool Blood)." Between the rips and roars it's interesting to examine the personnel involved in all of these dynamite recordings.
John Anderson seems to have been
McNeely's primary trumpeter, while the trombones were handled by either
Earl Hines alumnus
John "Streamline" Ewing or the mighty
Britt Woodman, a musician greatly admired by
Charles Mingus. The combination of
Woodman's trombone and
Jay's brother
Bob McNeely's baritone sax is powerful, creating a vertigo effect during "The Deacon's Hop." Beginning with the Exclusive Records session of February 1949,
Leonard "Tight" Hardiman was established as the drummer, with Charles McNiles socking the bongos on "Blow Big Jay" and the relatively laid-back "Tondelayo."
Jimmy O'Brien plays exceptionally fine piano behind
Clifford Blivens' blues shouting on "Midnight Dreams" and "Junie Flip." He is featured on "K & H Boogie" and adds spice to the mix throughout this exciting collection. Bassist
Ted Shirley sings gruffly on "Roadhouse Boogie."
McNeely's debut session for Aladdin Records provided him with greater exposure and apparently inspired him to blow hotter than ever, while his brother roared almost demonically behind him on the baritone. "Let's Split" sounds almost identical to the 1950
Johnny Otis hit "Turkey Hop." Its apparent sequel, "Real Crazy Cool," seems downright demented! Generally speaking, this is good time music that won't quit.