Although generally best known to the masses for his 1958 hit with the Bo Diddley beat, "Willie and the Hand Jive," Johnny Otis has had a remarkable career. For more than 50 years, Otis has been a drummer, vibraphonist, bandleader, record producer, talent scout, label owner, nightclub impresario, disc jockey, TV variety-show host, author, rock & roll star, painter, and entrepreneur in the health-food business. Born in Northern California in 1921 to Greek-American parents (his real name is John Veliotes), Otis felt more comfortable with the African-American culture that surrounded him in his formative years and adopted it as his own. The Complete Savoy Recordings is a 3-CD compilation that stylishly presents his beginnings as a bandleader and talent scout. As amply displayed here, Otis deserves his place in the upper tier of rhythm & blues pioneers. Through his work with and discoveries of such renowned talent as Jimmy Rushing, Little Esther Philips, the Robins (some of whom went on to form the Coasters), Mel Walker, Marilyn Scott, Linda Hopkins, Bill Doggett, and Jay McNeely, Otis has had a profound influence on American music.
CD 1
1 Harlem Nocturne
2 Jimmy's Round The Clock
3 My Baby's Business
4 Preston Love's Mansion
5 Midnight In The Barrelhouse
6 Boogie Guitar
7 Ain't Nuthin Shakin
8 Hangover Blues
9 Get Together Blues
10 I'm Not Falling In Love With You
11 If It's So Baby
12 Our Romance Is Gone
13 If I Didn't Love You So
14 Rain In My Eyes
15 Double Crossing Blues
16 Headhunter
17 Going To See My Baby
18 The Little Red Hen
19 New Orleans Shuffle
20 The Turkey Hop (Part 1)
21 The Turkey Hop (Part 2)
22 Blues Nocturne
23 Cry Baby
24 Lover's Lane Boogie
25 I Found Out My Troubles
26 Misery
CD 2
1 I'm Through
2 I'm Living O.K.
3 There Ain't No Use Begging
4 You're Fine But Not My Kind
5 Helpless
6 Cool And Easy
7 Mistrustin' Blues
8 Dreamin' Blues
9 Cupid's Boogie
10 Just Can't Get Free
11 My Heart Tells Me
12 Lost Dream Blues
13 Deceivin' Blues
14 Lonely Blues
15 Strange Woman
16 Freight Train Boogie
17 Good Time Blues
18 Sunset To Dawn
19 Wedding Boogie
20 Faraway Christmas Blues
21 Love Will Break Your Heart
22 Rockin' Blues
23 I Don't Care
24 I Dream
25 Beer Bottle Boogie
26 Uneasy Blues
CD 3
1 It Can Never Happen Again
2 Gee Baby
3 Fool's Gold
4 Feel Like Crying Again
5 Heartache, Here I Come
6 Turn The Lights Down Low
7 Hold Me Close
8 Gonna Take A Train
9 Doggin' Blues
10 Chitlin' Switch
11 Warning Blues
12 Warning Blues
13 Hunter Hancock Theme
14 Mambo Boogie
15 New Love
16 Just Ask Another Flame
17 I'll Ask My Heart
18 It Ain't The Beauty
19 All Night Long
20 Help Me Blues
21 Walkin' Shoe Blues
22 Honky Tonk Boogie
23 Because I Love My Baby So
24 Wheres My Baby
25 Three Magic Words
