Pee Wee

Pee Wee Crayton, a popular L.A.-based blues singer and guitarist, recorded frequently between 1947-57 but this 1970 session was his first full album and ended an eight-year drought in the studios. At 55, Crayton performed some country-flavored tunes and soul ballads but is at his best on the simpler straightahead blues such as a spirited "Let the Good Times Roll," the atmospheric instrumental "Blues After Hours," "Things I Used to Do" and "S.K. Blues" which at 6:24 is easily the longest performance of the brief 41-minute set. Although not a major stylist, Crayton is in good form throughout his date.

Joe Turner with Pee Wee Crayton & Sonny Stitt - Everyday I Have The Blues (1975) {Pablo 0025218663427 rel 2006}
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© 1975, 2006 Pablo / Fantasy / Universal | 0025218663427
Blues / Jazz / Jazz Blues / Urban Blues / Jump Blues

This CD reissues one of Big Joe Turner's better Pablo releases. In 1975 Turner's voice was still strong and he had a compatible four-piece group that featured veteran guitarist Pee Wee Crayton. With guest Sonny Stitt contributing typically boppish solos on tenor and alto, Turner sings mostly familiar material (including "Stormy Monday," "Piney Brown" and "Shake, Rattle and Roll") plus his recent "Martin Luther King Southside." Recommended.

Pee Wee Russell - The Individualism Of Pee Wee Russell (1952) {Savoy Jazz Japan SV-0271 rel 1995}
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© 1952, 1995 Savoy Jazz / Denon Records / Nippon Columbia Japan | SV-0271
Jazz / Swing / Mainstream Jazz / Clarinet

In December 1950, Russell nearly died from the effects of years of excessive drinking and limited eating. By the time of the Boston engagement that resulted in this double LP, he was 90 percent recovered. Leading a strong sextet that boasted fine solos from trombonist Eph Resnick and the great young trumpeter Ruby Braff, Russell performs mostly veteran, Dixieland standards during these extended workouts, avoiding clichés and playing his typically unique ideas with spirit and enthusiasm.

Pee Wee Crayton - The Modern Legacy. Volume 1 (1996) {Ace CDCHD632 rec 1948-1951}
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© 1948-51, 1996 Modern Recordings / Ace Records | CDCHD 632
Blues / Jump Blues / Texas Blues / Electric Blues

As an overview of Crayton's work for Modern from 1948-51, this might not be ideal, as only about half of it appeared on singles during that time; the rest was mostly unissued until the 1980s and 1990s, some making their first appearance on this CD. It also means that some of his Modern singles, including his biggest hit for the label (the ballad "I Love You So"), aren't here, as they were saved for another Ace volume of Crayton's Modern sides. Those considerations aside, this is superior Los Angeles jump blues, with the rare vault sides holding up about as well as what came out on singles.

Pee Wee Russell - New Groove & The College Concert (2013) {Columbia–Impulse!–Solar 4569938 rec 1961-1966}
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© 1961-66, 2013 Columbia / Impulse! / Solar Records | 4569938
Jazz / Bop / Clarinet

This edition contains two amazing original albums by the great Pee Wee Russell. New Groove (Columbia CS-8785) presents him fronting his own quartet accompanied by trombone, and a piano-less rhythm section of bass and drums. The second LP, The College Concert of Pee Wee Russell and Henry Red Allen (Impulse AS-9137), appears here for the first time ever on CD. It features the clarinettist in a quintet format co-led by Allen, backed by an impressive modern rhythm section composed of Steve Kuhn on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Marty Morell on drums. As a bonus, “Mariooch”, which marks the only quartet song featuring Russell from the larger group album Jazz Reunion.

Pee Wee Bluesgang (Peewees) is a five-member band, that plays Blues Rock. Founded in 1977 in Iserlohn, PeeWees were playing primarily own compositions. Its members were the singer and frontman Richard Hail, guitarist Thomas Hesse, bass player Heribert Grothe, drummer Siehoff Martin and saxophonist Karlos Boes. Two years after its inception they released their first LP. By participating in open-air concerts abroad, the band became well known far beyond the borders of Germany. There were tours with Chicken Shack, Canned Heat, Jack Bruce and the Stray Cats, among others. In 1980 they performed in Poland. In 1981 the Pee Wee Blue Gang played at WDR's Rockpalast in Cologne. The band released 17 albums so far. In 2010 PeeWee Bluesgang celebrated their comeback. Since then there is a different line-up.