Artist: Big Joe Turner Album: Rocks in My Bed

Year: 2000
Duration: 0:0-1

Big Joe Turner's Rocks in My Bed: A of a Blues Masterpiece

Big Joe Turner, the Kansas City blues singer, was a true master of his craft. In a career spanning more than four decades, Turner recorded some of the most beloved and influential blues songs of all time. One of his greatest achievements is the 1980 album, Rocks in My Bed. In this , we will take a deep dive into the album, exploring its history, the genre of the music, the best songs, the most innovative aspects, and giving our opinion on the album's overall quality.
Big Joe Turner was born in 1911 in Kansas City, Missouri. He began singing in his teenage years, performing with local jazz bands in the city's thriving music scene. In the 1930s, Turner joined the Count Basie Orchestra, with whom he would record his first hits. He later went solo and became one of the most popular blues singers of the 1940s and 1950s. His deep, powerful voice and raw, emotional delivery made him a fan favorite, and he continued to record and tour well into the 1980s.
Rocks in My Bed was recorded in 1980 and is considered one of the finest albums of Big Joe Turner's career. The album is a mixture of blues standards and original compositions, with Turner's voice front and center on every track. Musically, the album is a blend of traditional blues and rock 'n' roll, with heavy guitar riffs and driving rhythms.
The best songs on the album are You're Driving Me Crazy, Rocks in My Bed, Chains of Love, and How Long Blues. These tracks showcase Turner's incredible vocal range and his ability to convey deep emotion through his singing. The musicianship on the album is also top-notch, with expert guitar playing and solid drumming throughout.
One of the most innovative parts of the album is the way Turner blends blues and rock 'n' roll. While other blues artists of the time were sticking to the traditional blues sound, Turner was willing to experiment with new musical styles, incorporating elements of rock 'n' roll into his music. This mixing of genres helped to bring the blues to a wider audience and influenced countless rock and blues musicians that followed.
However, not all the tracks on the album hold up as well as others. Flip, Flop and Fly feels like a lesser version of Turner's classic hit Shake, Rattle, and Roll, and Sweet Sixteen is a bit too slow and plodding for our taste. These weaker tracks only serve to highlight the strength of the album's highlights.
In conclusion, Rocks in My Bed is a timeless album that showcases Big Joe Turner's incredible talent as a blues singer. While not every track on the album is a winner, the overall quality and innovation of the music make it a must-listen for blues and rock fans alike. With its powerful vocals, expert musicianship, and blending of genres, this album is a true masterpiece of American music.
In conclusion, Rocks in My Bed is a timeless album that showcases Big Joe Turner's incredible talent as a blues singer. While not every track on the album is a winner, the overall quality and innovation of the music make it a must-listen for blues and rock fans alike. With its powerful vocals, expert musicianship, and blending of genres, this album is a true masterpiece of American music.