Ike Turner Rocks CD

Ike Turner Rocks CD

Sometimes you have to separate the man from the music - seldom a wiser course of action than in the case of Ike Turner.
No matter your feelings regarding the man himself, the recordings he made during the 1950s rocked with an unbridled vengeance, whether Ike was laying down supple boogie piano underpinnings or whammy bar-laden guitar magic.
This collection largely concentrates on when his band, The Kings of Rhythm, operated like a welloiled machine and Ike was the picture of polished professionalism.
He and The Kings bounced from one label to the next (Chess, Modern, Federal, Cobra and Sue Records are all amply represented), spotlighting an array of extraordinary vocalists.
Many of them are showcased on this set, beginning with Jackie Brenston’s immortal Rocket 88, a 1951 R&B chart-topper and a genuine rock and roll landmark.
Dennis Binder, Billy Gayles, Clayton Love, Tommy Hodge, and Jimmy Thomas all had big, booming voices when they fronted Ike’s combo - a must, since Turner was going insane behind them on his lethal axe.
That was especially true on the band’ 1956/'57 Federal sides - I’m Tore Up, Sad As A Man Can Be and Gonna Wait For My Chance are downright intimidating in their rollicking intensity.
Several splendid instrumentals from The Kings of Rhythm’s 1961 album Dance represent a last stand for the band’s initial phase.
This is truly some hellraising stuff!