Although best known for his production work with
Al Green and others at Hi Records in the 1970s, where he crafted graceful, airy arrangements anchored by a hard-hitting kick drum sound,
Willie Mitchell, originally a trumpet player, also had a long recording history of his own as a performer. This fine set collects tracks he cut for the Stomper Time and Home of the Blues imprints between 1958 and 1961, and also includes rare material from the Four Kings with
Don Bryant. The energy never lags here, and from the opening cut, the impressive “Tell It to Me Baby,” this set is a delight, ranging from R&B jump blues pieces to several joyous a cappella doo wop sides to stomping sax and organ-led instrumentals like “Willie’s House Party,” proving that there was much more to the
Willie Mitchell story than just his iconic production work in the 1970s and after. ~ Steve Leggett