Big Al Blake & The Hollywood Fats Band – Mr. Blake's Blues

 

 

 

 Big Al Blake & The Hollywood Fats Band – Mr. Blake’s Blues (1997)

 

updated 11/07/2026

 

 

 

 

 Blue Collar Music 1997 – BCM 7108

 

 Album Description

Mr. Blake’s Blues brings together blues harmonica player, vocalist, 
guitarist and songwriter Big Al Blake with members of the legendary 
Hollywood Fats Band. Released on Blue Collar Music in 1997, 
this album celebrates traditional blues through a spirited combination 
of West Coast swing, Chicago blues, 
boogie-woogie and electric harmonica-driven grooves.

Featuring pianist Fred Kaplan, bassist Larry Taylor, drummer Richard Innes,
 and guitarists Junior Watson and Kid Ramos, the album captures the 
chemistry of experienced musicians deeply rooted in the blues tradition. 
Blake delivers expressive vocals and harmonica, balancing 
original compositions with interpretations of classic blues material.

Highlights include “Old Time Boogie,” “Papa’s Boogie,” “Shelby Ford Blues,” 
“Rock Me Baby,” and “The Honeydripper.” The recording combines a vintage
 blues sensibility with energetic ensemble playing, making it a rewarding 
album for collectors of West Coast blues, 
harmonica blues and rare 1990s blues recordings.

Album Notes

Mr. Blake’s Blues is a notable reunion of musicians associated with 
the Hollywood Fats Band, the influential Southern California 
blues group formed around guitarist Mike “Hollywood Fats” Mann. 
Following Mann’s death in 1986, Blake continued to pursue the 
blues tradition and reunited with fellow band members for this recording.

The album features a mixture of original songs and established blues 
compositions, with a strong emphasis on harmonica, piano, guitar and 
a tight rhythm section. It is a fine addition to collections devoted to 
traditional electric blues, West Coast blues and 
the legacy of the Hollywood Fats Band.

Musicians and Line-up

Big Al Blake – Lead vocals, harmonica, guitar
Junior Watson – Guitar
Kid Ramos – Guitar
Fred Kaplan – Piano
Larry Taylor – Bass
Richard Innes – Drums

Production and Recording Information
Producer: Al Blake
Additional production credit: Fred Kaplan
Recording dates: March 16, 1996 – March 18, 1997
Recording studios: Lyon Recording Studio, Newport Beach, California; 
Peace In The Valley Recording, Arleta, California
Recording engineers: Marvin McNeil and Joe Bellamy

tracklist:

1        Old Time Boogie
Written-By – A. Blake*
2:59
2        He Don't Love You     4:14
3        Papa's Boogie
Written-By – A. Blake*
4:34
4        Hoppin' Toad     4:04
5        Shelby Ford Blues
Written-By – A. Blake*
3:41
6        Leavin' California
Written-By – A. Blake*
4:00
7        Rock Me Baby
Written-By – A. Crudup*
3:25
8        The Honeydripper
Written-By – R. Sykes*
3:45
9        Santa Ana's Blowin'
Written-By – A. Blake*
3:23
10        Jalopy To Drive
Written-By – A. Blake*
4:21
11        A Rambler & A Rollin' Stone
Written-By – A. Blake*
4:00
12        Easy (Very Greazy)
Written-By – W. Horton*
2:53

 

 

Link available upon request

 

Johnny "Hammond" Smith – Soul Talk (1969)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Johnny "Hammond" Smith – Soul Talk (Prestige PR 7681)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prestige records 1969 ‎– PR 7681

 

 description:

Released in 1969 on Prestige Records, Soul Talk is a superb soul-jazz 
album led by Hammond organist Johnny “Hammond” Smith. Recorded 
at the legendary Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 
the album captures the warm, bluesy sound of late-1960s jazz, combining 
swinging rhythms, expressive organ playing, 
soulful saxophone and tight instrumental interplay.

Smith is joined by saxophonist Rusty Bryant, guitarist Wally Richardson, 
bassist Bob Bushnell and drummer Bernard Purdie. Together, the musicians
 create an infectious groove that moves between funky organ jazz, 
blues-inflected improvisation and a soulful interpretation of 
Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s classic song “This Guy’s in Love with You.”

The title track, “Soul Talk,” is a highlight, showcasing Smith’s distinctive Hammond
 organ sound and the group’s relaxed but driving rhythm section. Other selections,
 including “All Soul,” “Up to Date” and “Purty Dirty,” demonstrate the band’s ability
 to balance hard-swinging grooves with melodic sophistication.

Produced by Bob Porter and recorded by Rudy Van Gelder, Soul Talk remains an 
appealing example of the Prestige label’s late-1960s soul-jazz catalogue. It is 
an essential listening choice for fans of Hammond organ jazz, 
funky grooves and classic American jazz vinyl.

Line-up and musicians

- Johnny “Hammond” Smith — Hammond organ
- Rusty Bryant — alto saxophone, tenor saxophone and Varitone
- Wally Richardson — guitar
- Bob Bushnell — Fender electric bass
- Bernard “Pretty” Purdie — drums

Recording date    May 19, 1969
Recording studio    Van Gelder Studio
Location    Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA
Producer    Bob Porter
Recording engineer    Rudy Van Gelder

tracklist:

A1    Soul Talk
Written-By – Johnny "Hammond" Smith    
A2    All Soul
Written-By – Curtis Lewis     
B1    Up To Date
Written-By – Johnny "Hammond" Smith    
B2    Purty Dirty
Written-By – Wally Richardson    
B3    This Guy's In Love With You
Written-By – Bacharach/David

 

 

 

Link available upon request

 

 

 

 

Johnny "Hammond" Smith – The Stinger

Johnny "Hammond" Smith – The Stinger (Prestige PR 7408)

updated 11/06/2026

Prestige records 1965   ‎– PR 7408

Album Description

Released in 1965 on Prestige Records, The Stinger showcases 
the distinctive Hammond organ playing of jazz musician 
Johnny “Hammond” Smith. Recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio 
in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, this six-track album blends soul jazz, 
blues, swinging rhythms and earthy organ grooves.

Smith leads a compact quintet featuring tenor saxophonists Houston Person 
and Earl Edwards, guitarist Floyd Smith, and drummer John Harris. 
The two saxophonists appear on different tracks, adding 
contrasting textures to the album’s sound.

From the energetic title track and the funky drive of “Benny’s Diggin’” to 
the blues-inflected atmosphere of “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” the record 
captures the warm, groove-oriented sound of mid-1960s Prestige jazz. 
It is an appealing LP for collectors of Hammond organ jazz, rare groove, 
bluesy jazz and vintage soul jazz.

Line-up and Musicians

Johnny “Hammond” Smith – Hammond organ
Houston Person – tenor saxophone on tracks 1, 4 and 6
Earl Edwards – tenor saxophone on tracks 1, 2, 3 and 5
Floyd Smith – guitar
John Harris – drums

Production and Recording
The Stinger was recorded on May 7, 1965, at Van Gelder Studio 
in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. The session was produced by 
Cal Lampley and engineered by Rudy Van Gelder, whose recordings 
became a defining part of the Prestige jazz catalog.

Trackslist:

A1        The Stinger
Written-By – Smith*
    6:40
A2        There Is No Greater Love
Written-By – Jones*, Symes*
    5:30
A3        Brother John
Written-By – Smith*
    3:55
B1        Cleopatra And The African Knight
Written-By – Smith*
    4:55
B2        You Don't Know What Love Is
Written-By – Raye*, DePaul*
    6:50
B3        Benny's Diggin'
Written-By – Smith*
    4:15

Link available upon request