Back in the '40s, a variety of things were done with the 12-bar format. Southern (Mississippi, Texas, or otherwise) was '40s (as well as '20s and '30s ) at its most rural, raw and basic; , on the other hand, had an urban sophistication and a -minded, dance-oriented outlook. swung unapologetically hard, and there is plenty of hard-swinging exuberance on This CD focuses on two of the shouters who recorded for the independent in the late '40s and early '50s: and . The singers don't perform together, and (which spans 1948-1950) is what is now called a split CD. Neither nor was a huge name in -- neither was as well known as , , or . But both of them had small followings, and both were enjoyably gutsy shouters along the lines of . All 22 of the tracks on this 2002 CD (seven of which were previously released) are examples of early -- early as in pre- , pre- . The that performed was part of early (which was called "race music" before producer coined the term in 1949), and back in the day, early was heavily influenced by . In fact, one of the musicians who accompanies is tenor saxophonist , a superb improviser. Those who have only a casual interest in would do well to look for a best-of collection by , but is easily recommended to the more seasoned /early enthusiasts. ~ Alex Henderson