Henry Townsend and Roosevelt Sykes Blues Piano and Guitar: Washington University, Graham Chapel, 1973

Henry Townsend and Roosevelt Sykes
Blues Piano and Guitar: Washington University, Graham Chapel, 1973
Omnivore Recordings

Having recently been delighted by Omnivore's expanded reissue of Henry Townsend's wonderful Nighthawk album, "Mule," Omnivore has brought out this album of previously unissued performances recorded at a concert at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Roosevelt Sykes was one of the greatest blues pianists of all time and recorded prolifically on his own and backing other musicians, while Townsend had a recording career that spanned nine decades. The two first met in St. Louis in the 1920s with Sykes gave Townsend pointers on playing the piano. In 1930, Sykes took Townsend and Walter Davis to a Paramount recording session. In 1931, Sykes and Townsend traveled to Louisville, Kentucky. The two remained lifelong friends and this concert performance was the first of several reunions before Sykes passed away in 1983.

Based on this recording, this was a magical evening with both artists performing a diverse group of numbers from their repertoire. Both were also at the top of their game. Townsend sounds and plays with considerable vigor on these recordings. He strongly reworks Clifford Gibson's "Tired of Being Mistreated," his own "Henry's Worry Blues," and with his wife, Vernell joining on a vocal, "Why We Love Each Other So." Then there is also a fine rendering of "Sloppy Drunk," and a superb rendition of "Tears Come Rollin' Down" with Vernell taking the lead vocal. He switches to piano for "All My Money Gone."

Sykes' performances open with his "Night Time Is the Right Time," and among his strong performances are "Driving Wheel," "The War Is Over" (also known as "Sunny Road") which is one of two performances on which Townsend adds his guitar behind Sykes piano and vocal, "Ice Cream Freezer," "Sweet Home Chicago" and an R-rated "Dirty Mother For You (You Don't Know)." Among his other performances is a barrelhouse boogie-woogie of "Boot That Thing," and an exuberant, robust rendition of Fats Waller's "Honeysuckle Rose."

This two-disc release, with 30 performances, captures the two at the top of their form. LeRoy Jodie Pierson, who produced this release with Cheryl Pawelski, contributed the liner notes along with several rare photographs to this outstanding release.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review appeared in the March-April 2018 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 383). Here is a video of Roosevelt Sykes playing.