Classic Hits 1938-52 is a five-disc, 123-track collection of
Big Joe Turner's earliest recording sessions before finding stardom with his mid-'50s R&B sides. While this JSP set isn't extravagant, it's a luxury to have
Turner's sides for National, Aladdin, Freedom, MGM, and Imperial remastered and together in one collection. The final disc also includes the Boss of the Blues' first recordings for
Ahmet and
Nesuhi Ertegun of Atlantic Records: "Chains of Love," "Sweet Sixteen," "Poor Lover's Blues," and "Still in Love (With You)."
Turner tackles blues, swing, and fiery up-tempo jump blues, assisted by
Pete Johnson,
Wynonie Harris,
Pee Wee Crayton,
Budd Johnson,
Dave Bartholomew,
Fats Domino,
Joe Houstin,
Albert Ammons,
Don Byas,
Art Tatum, and
Hot Lips Page. While this is a collector's dream, the casual listener would do better with
Big, Bad & Blue: The Big Joe Turner Anthology on Rhino.