Sil Austin - Swingsation: Sil Austin (1999)

As rare as it is to get to hear take-no-prisoner barwalking tenors and hear that great 50's organ/tenor sound, what makes this session even more delightful is the presence of two under-recorded Jazz/R&B studio legends... Mickey Baker, considered by many the missing link between Jazz and Rock and Roll guitar, and Doc Bagby, the heavy shouting Hammond Organ player (see his BATTLE OF THE ORGANS CDs.)
Though the cuts on this particular SWINGSTATION volumes are a lot more rockin' than swinging (say as compared to the Red Prysock volume), the energy and dynamics are wild... and Bagby's unique organ sound is a thrill to listen to. He's somewhere between the hard swinging soul of Bill Doggett and Wild Bill Davis and the pop sounds of Baby Face Cortez ! ! !
All in all, each track sizzles over with pure bluesy shuffle stroll and rock 'n rollin juke box exhuberence and no track misses ! So while we're on the topic, my only question is this - - since VERVE has gotten these winners from the vault, when's LITTLE RICHIE VAROLA comin' out ??