Time: 64:14
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2004
Styles: R&B
Art: Front, tray
1. Whole Lotta Nothing (2:25)
2. Greyhound (2:43)
3. Bad, Bad Whiskey (2:17)
4. Do The Pig (2:20)
5. I've Got A Right To Love My Baby (2:28)
6. Mama Rufus (2:21)
7. You're Driving Me Crazy (2:21)
8. Rufus (2:08)
9. Midnite Session Parts 1 & 2 (4:24)
10. Skippy (1:52)
11. Too Much (2:23)
12. Thompin' (2:25)
13. Soul Sister (3:28)
14. Sundown (2:37)
15. Your Tender Lips (3:07)
16. Fragile (2:45)
17. Willie Mae (2:27)
18. Rufus Jr (2:22)
19. Finger Licking (1:41)
20. Head Bad (1:35)
21. When Guitar Rings (1:49)
22. Love Love Love (1:52)
23. Watermelon Man (2:26)
24. Jump (2:40)
25. Bad, Bad Whiskey (Alt. Take) (2:31)
26. Whole Lotta Something (2:34)
With ten tracks from rare 1961-1966 singles, three cuts that only appeared on a compilation, and 13 previously unreleased recordings (one of them a previously unissued alternate take of their single "Bad, Bad Whiskey"), this is a more comprehensive anthology of this obscure group than anyone could have envisioned. As exhaustive as the archivism might be, it's fairly routine early-'60s-styled R&B-rock (even on the mid-'60s recordings), anchored by bluesy riffs and a small combo organ-grounded sound on both vocal and instrumental numbers. In some ways it's similar to the energetic (if oft-unimaginative) grinds churned out by numerous Northwest bands in the same era, though the Merced Blue Notes leaned perhaps a bit more to the more modern, funkier grooves being opened up by groups like Booker T. & the MG's.
Were these guys funky? Sure - they spin out tough bluesy guitar licks, penetrating organ, occasional blues harmonica, and (on the non-instrumentals) raw vocals. Did they have interesting material? Not so much - the tunes were often elementary and derivative. They shine brightest when the organ gets most assertive and the singing lets loose in a fashion that many rock and soul labels would have toned down, as heard on the unissued fast shuffle "Greyhound" or the 1966 instrumental "Rufus," where the Booker T resemblance grows. Booker T. & the MG's, however, to take one point of reference, had far better riffs and arrangements, and to be harsh it's not too much of a surprise that these cats didn't break out of their region, as much entertainment as they must have provided at local shows and dances. /Richie Unterberger, AllMusic
Were these guys funky? Sure - they spin out tough bluesy guitar licks, penetrating organ, occasional blues harmonica, and (on the non-instrumentals) raw vocals. Did they have interesting material? Not so much - the tunes were often elementary and derivative. They shine brightest when the organ gets most assertive and the singing lets loose in a fashion that many rock and soul labels would have toned down, as heard on the unissued fast shuffle "Greyhound" or the 1966 instrumental "Rufus," where the Booker T resemblance grows. Booker T. & the MG's, however, to take one point of reference, had far better riffs and arrangements, and to be harsh it's not too much of a surprise that these cats didn't break out of their region, as much entertainment as they must have provided at local shows and dances. /Richie Unterberger, AllMusic
Get Your Kicks On Route 99 mc
Get Your Kicks On Route 99 zippy