Johnny Otis Duke & Peacock Part 1 – Various Artists

johnaalex
Aug 26
3 min read

Released August 2025 on Jasmine Records - Home - Jasmine Records (jasmine-records.co.uk )

Reviewed August 2025 by Jailhouse John

The role of Johnny Otis, aka “The Godfather of R&B” is quite rightly regarded as one of the founding fathers of Rock ‘n’ Roll. This is the first of two CDs that show how his musical direction and band shaped the music of the late 40s and early 50s.

Review

Seven artists are featured with Willie Mae (Big Mama) Thornton having the lions share with eleven tracks. The most famous of her tracks, “Hound Dog” is the original of the massive hit for Elvis, but it has a lot more attitude than Mr P’s version. Big Mama’s ability has a blues shouter comes to the fore with the rocker “They Call Me Big Mama” which kicks off the CD. Other rockers from this incredible lady include “Rockabye Baby”, “I Ain't No Fool Either” and “I Smell A Rat”. Her more mellow side and fine talent as a blues singer are ably demonstrated with “Walking Blues”, “I Just Can't Help Myself”. “Nightmare”, “I've Searched The World Over”, “The Big Change” and “Willie Mae's Blues/Troubles”. My favourite of that six is “The Big Change” where Big Mama’s vocals are supported by some nice bluesy guitar playing and the work of Johnny Otis on the vibraphone.

The artist with next highest number of tracks is the Georgia Peach himself, Little Richard with four. “Maybe I'm Right” was issued c/w “I Love My Baby” on the Peacock label in 1957. The later of the two tracks is the rocker and there are signs of his vocal style that feature so strongly in his best-known recordings for Specialty. “Directly From My Heart To You” is another blues number but the A side of that Peacock single, "Little Richard's Boogie" is a nice rocker.

Johnny Ace was christened John Alexander, but despite that still went on to be a fantastic singer and he has three recordings in this set. “Yes, Baby” is a fine jump blues rocker. “Please Forgive Me “ and “Saving My Love For You” are the type of blues songs that Johnny sang so beautifully.

Johnny Otis comes to the fore for two tracks, the rocker “Rock Me Baby”. “Young Girl” switches between a ballad and rocker which is a nightmare for a club DJ, but good to listen to.

Joe "Mr. Google Eyes" August has the two side of his Duke release from 1956, “O What A Fool” and “Play The Game”. The A side is a good R&B stroller. “Play The Game” is a bluesy ballad with Johnny’s vibraphone being the main instrument.

In 1953 Joe Fritz had “Honey, Honey” issued on Peacock with “The Woman I Love” on the B side. The A side is the one for the rockers amongst us. The B side is a blues ballad.

Bring the set, and this review to a close are two recordings from Junior Ryder that were released in 1954 on the Duke label. “Sad Story” as it name suggests is a heartfelt blues tune whereas the B side may start slow but does get going to be a danceable R&B number.

Summary and recommendation

Apart from the historical significance of some of these tracks, there is some mighty fine music and this collection deserves a place in your collection, and for less than a tenner how can you go wrong?

Reviewed by Jailhouse John Alexander

Track List

Track, Title, Artist

1, They Call Me Big Mama, Willie Mae (Big Mama) Thornton

2, Walking Blues, Willie Mae (Big Mama) Thornton

3, Hound Dog, Willie Mae (Big Mama) Thornton

4, I Just Can't Help Myself, Willie Mae (Big Mama) Thornton

5, Nightmare, Willie Mae (Big Mama) Thornton

6, Rockabye Baby, Willie Mae (Big Mama) Thornton

7, I've Searched The World Over, Willie Mae (Big Mama) Thornton

8, O What A Fool, Joe "Mr. Google Eyes" August

9, Play The Game, Joe "Mr. Google Eyes" August