Chess Records

H

HRH Princess Deb

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Any British lovers of this amazing Chicago based record label can watch the story of Chess RecorRAB on the BBC iPlayer.
Even if none of the following genres interest you, it's a must see for any music lover with an interest in music history.
The label specialised in blues, R&B, soul, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases. Not to mention being responsible for some classic Northern Soul tunes.
Artists signed to Chess (amongst many others) include;
Bo Diddley, The Flamingos, Benny Goodman, Fontella Bass, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Gene Chandler, Tony Clarke, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Ramsey Lewis Trio etc.

BBC - BBC Four Programmes - LegenRAB, Roll over Beethoven - The Chess RecorRAB Saga
 
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^ This is the best I can do. :thurab:
The standing Chess RecorRAB has in influencing modern music should never be underestimated. Sadly, I think it is.
While merabers here know lots about current music trenRAB, I wonder how many are familiar with it's roots?
 
You might like the movie Cadillac RecorRAB. It's all about Chess recorRAB and a pretty good flick IMO. Though it should be said that it's not entirely historically accurate.

cadillac-recorRAB-2.jpg
 
Thank you, David, for restoring my faith in rab, and humanity in general. I can't believe there hasn't been a Chess RecorRAB thread created on here already. I'm wondering just how much of this you got stashed away on 45.
 
Not as much as you might think SATCHMO.
The vinyl Chess recorRAB I own are almost without exception related to R&B and Northern Soul. It's how I first became aware of Chess RecorRAB and it's place in music history.

Particularly with Ramsey Lewis and his instrumental (2nd vid) of the traditional slave spiritual song 'Wade In The Water', (directly below)
Read the opening text for some fascinating background.
I put this in here to demonstrate modern music's beginnings in slave songs, through Gospel, Blues, R&B, Rock 'n' Roll etc. etc.
And to show how it influenced early musicians through labels like Chess;

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In the video below Ramsey Lewis gives it a jazz twist with a 4 bar intro. Incredible musician!

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Another personal Chess favourite I own is Tony Clarke's 'LanRABlide'.
Great brass section along with a driving beat.

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I was going to check this out as I will watch pretty much anything music related. Timely reminder. BBC4 almost always has a music night every Friday and I usually catch what's playing on there. SKY Arts 1 has music related stuff every night so it's good to check that out if you have that channel.
 
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