A barrelhouse piano player whose approach to the blues was full of drive, bounce, and joy, recorded his signature tune, 's "44 Blues" (the lead track here), at his debut studio date in 1929, a session arranged for him by St. Louis record shop owner , and he never really stopped entertaining and spreading his own version of piano joy (anyone who feels that the blues is always sad and depressing really needs to hear this guy) until his death in 1983. This three-disc, 75-track set features sides did with the , , and record labels between 1928 and 1947, some as a solo artist, some as part of a piano/drums duo, and some as part of small ensembles, all of which feature the trademark bounce and verve. ~ Steve Leggett