Charles Brown (Blues): Cryin' Mercy auf 2 CDs

Best remembered as being a pioneer of the Californian West Coast 'cool blues' sound back in the late '40s, the legendary blues piano player and singer Charles Brown started his lengthy performing career as a contemporary of Nat King Cole - and while Cole may have been the one to ultimately achieve 'household name' status, Brown himself became a highly respected figure within the jazz and blues world, influencing such names as Ray Charles, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and Bonnie Raitt with his polished style and memorable music. Although largely ignored by music fans - and indeed the music business generally - during the '60s and for much of the '70s - Brown achieved a considerable 'comeback' during the last two decades of his life and, at the time of his death in 1999, was due to be installed into the prestigious Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in the United States, a long overdue accolade. Charles Brown also left behind a rich legacy of recordings, 55 of which are included on this excellent new double-CD, charting some of his finest musical moments.