The Blue Flagships - Live (Feat. Jimmy 'T99' Nelson) (2004) [CD Rip]

Originally put together as an ad-hoc accompanying band for the highly successful European tour (1963) "Legends of Rhythm & Blues" featuring Red Holloway, The Blue Flagships lead by saxophonist Duke Seidmann reformed for a series of concerts in Switzerland and Germany during 2004 to accompany Texas blues legend Jimmy 'T99' Nelson.

Between 1951 and 1961, Jimmy 'T99' Nelson cut some of the greatest sides in the history of rock and roll or, as it was known in those days, rhythm and blues. Two of his tunes were substantial hits: "T99 Blues" and "Meet Me With Your Black Dress On," one of the sexiest performances ever recorded. Most of the others, every bit as good, never got played on the radio or promoted effectively. Had people heard them, they would have stormed record stores to buy them. Jimmy is now 87, but still performing and in as good a voice as he ever had.

Born in Philadelphia in 1919, Nelson's earliest musical experience was in church. "You talk about rock and roll - that's where it comes from!" In 1941, Nelson caught Big Joe Turner performing at a club in Oakland, CA. Suddenly, everything changed. "I knew right then and there I wanted to sing the blues." Turner mentored Nelson on everything from vocal technique to stage presence to dealing with club owners. Big Joe often toured with Nelson and recorded some of his originals. Nelson absorbed every nuance from Big Joe and, to this day, his performances epitomize the shouting, swinging style that Big Joe pioneered.

Personnel: Jimmy 'T99' Nelson, Tommie Harris, Christina E. Jaccard - (vocals), Duke Seidmann - (tenor saxophone, vocals), Wendelin Salzmann - (baritone & tenor saxophone), Gordon "Sax" Beadle - (tenor saxophone), Norbert Schneider, Alex Schultz - (guitars), David Ruosch - (piano), Daniel Gugolz - (bass), Peter Müller - (drums)