Classics'
1951-1954 collects 21 sides from the early days of
Ike Turner's long and winding career. The songs were originally released on a variety of top labels like Chess, PRM, Modern, Sun, and Flair and feature
Turner in a variety of settings: in
Kings of Rhythm with
Jackie Brenston on vocals, fronting a big band, backing and duetting with
Bonnie Turner, and playing with
Lover Boy. The songs are a mix of bluesy ballads and hot-wired jump blues with
Turner's piano bopping like soda pop and the beats pretty darn close to rock & roll. The duets with
Bonnie Turner are the most fun; her innocent and perky vocals sound like a kitten about to be eaten by
Turner's wolf. They also feature him on guitar for the first time, and showcase his primitive and fierce style. The instrumentals cut for Flair in 1954 are also lots of fun, as
Turner gets loose on some wild rockers like "Cubano Jump" and "Go to It." Topping it off is 1954's very cool "All Blues, All the Time," which features him soloing in the style of blues masters like
Elmore James,
Muddy Waters,
John Lee Hooker, and
B.B. King.
1951-1954 is just one of many collections that showcase the young
Turner's skills; it is also one of the best.