b. August 24th, 1915 in Omaha (Nebraska)

d. June 14th, 1969 in Los Angeles (California)

THE CHRONOLOGICAL WYNONIE HARRIS

Classics

Volume 1 (May 1944 - December 1945)

Volume 2 (December 1945 - July 1947)

Volume 3 (December 1947 - October 1949)

Volume 4 (May 1950 - January 1952)

Il débute comme danseur sur la scène d'Omaha dans les années 30. Sa réputation croit rapidement et il entame une carrière de blues shouter influencé par Jimmy Rushing et Big Joe Turner. Trouvant des engagements à Kansas City, Los Angeles ou Chicago, Wynonie est finalement remarqué par Lucky Millinder qui l'embauche dans son groupe comme chanteur. Ils obtiennent un beau succès avec la reprise de "Who threw the whiskey in the well" en mai 1944. En juillet 1945, il se lance dans une carrière en leader et signe chez Philo, le label des frères Leo & Edward Mesner, enregistrant notamment "Around the clock". Pendant les mois qui suivent, Wynonie passe par divers labels sans s'installer (Apollo, Hamp-Tone, Bullet, Aladdin), délivrant un Rhythm & Blues dynamique et dansant dominé par sa voix forte et excitante. On peut retenir "Wynonie's blues" (avec l'orchestre d'Illinois Jacquet), "Baby look at you", "I gotta lyin' woman" (avec la guitare de Gene Phillips), "Battle of the blues" (avec Big Joe Turner). Dès décembre 1947, Wynonie Harris se fixe chez King, le label dirigé par Syd Nathan. Il y produit le meilleur de son oeuvre pendant une dizaine d'années jusqu'en juillet 1957 : "Blow your brains out", "All she wants to do is rock", "Rock Mr Blues", "Teardrops from my eyes", "Triflin' woman", "Confessin' the blues" sans oublier les reprises de "Good rockin' tonight" et de "Drinkin' wine spo-dee-o-dee".

He began his career as a dancer in Omaha during the 1930's. His reputation grew rapidly and he embarked on a career as a blues shouter, influenced by Jimmy Rushing and Big Joe Turner. After securing engagements in cities like Kansas City, Los Angeles and Chicago, Wynonie eventually caught the attention of Lucky Millinder, who hired him as a vocalist for his band. They achieved significant success with their cover of "Who threw the whiskey in the well" in may 1944. In july 1945, he launched a career as a leader and signed with Philo — a label owned by brothers Leo and Edward Mesner — recording tracks such as "Around the clock". Over the following months, Wynonie moved between various labels (Apollo, Hamp-Tone, Bullet, Aladdin) without settling at any single one, delivering dynamic, danceable Rhythm & Blues driven by his strong, electrifying voice. Notable tracks from this period include "Wynonie's blues" (with Illinois Jacquet's orchestra), "Baby look at you", "I gotta lyin' woman" (featuring Gene Phillips on guitar) and "Battle of the blues" (with Big Joe Turner). In december 1947, Wynonie Harris settled at King, the label run by Syd Nathan. There, he produced the best work of his career over the next decade, up until july 1957 with songs such as "Blow your brains out", "All she wants to do is rock", "Rock Mr Blues", "Teardrops from my eyes", "Triflin' woman", "Confessin' the blues" as well as covers of "Good rockin' tonight" and "Drinkin' wine spo-dee-o-dee".

ROCK MR BLUES

Rev-Ola

October 1949 - October 1956

Son travail pour le label King entre 1947 et 1957 s'impose comme son zénith artistique. Sa voix forte et excitante s'affirme particulièrement dans les tempos rapides. Il bénéficie aussi de l'apport de remarquables musiciens comme "Hot Lips" Page, Hal Singer, Tom Archia, Sonny Thompson. De nombreuses perles voient le jour pendant cette fructueuse période : "Blow your brains out", "All she wants to do is rock", "Rock Mr Blues", "Good rockin' tonight", "Drinkin' wine spo-dee-o-dee", "Teardrops from my eyes", "Triflin' woman", "Confessin' the blues", "Lovin' machine", "Down boy down", "Quiet whisky". Mais, la mode des blues shouters s'éteint doucement au début des années 50. Après 1954, Wynonie, en manque de succès, n'enregistre presque plus. Sa dernière séance pour King a lieu en juillet 1957.

His work for the King label between 1947 and 1957 stands as the artistic pinnacle of his career. His strong, electrifying voice shines particularly brightly on uptempo tracks. He also benefited from the contributions of outstanding musicians such as "Hot Lips" Page, Hal Singer, Tom Archia, Sonny Thompson. Many gems emerged during this fruitful period : "Blow your brains out", "All she wants to do is rock", "Rock Mr Blues", "Good rockin' tonight", "Drinkin' wine spo-dee-o-dee", "Teardrops from my eyes", "Triflin' woman", "Confessin' the blues", "Lovin' machine", "Down boy down", "Quiet whisky". However, the trend for blues shouters gradually faded in the early 1950's. After 1954, lacking commercial success, Wynonie recorded very little. His final session for King took place in july 1957.

ROULETTE ROCK 'N ROLL vol.2

Sequel

August 1960 - January 1961

Sur cette anthologie, on retrouve quatre morceaux inédits de Wynonie Harris enregistrés pour le label Roulette dont l'intéressant "Saturday night".

This anthology features four previously unreleased tracks by Wynonie Harris recorded for the Roulette label including the interesting "Saturday night".

SHOUTIN' SWINGIN' & MAKIN' LOVE

Chess

August 1964