Various Artists - Rockin' This House: Chicago Blues Piano 1946-1953

There was a time when Chicago blues pianists ruled the roost in the taverns where blues was played. Many homes had pianos, too, and when rent parties were thrown an 88-er could work all night for food and drink, showing off his latest licks to his peers who waited their turn to shine. It was a hand-to-mouth existence but if those hands could stretch an octave or more then the mouth would be provided for. Over half of this 4CD set is devoted to arguably the most internationally famous and successful of these pianists, Memphis Slim (so nicknamed because he was born and raised in Memphis before settling in Chicago). There are also a dozen sides by Slim's mentor, Roosevelt Sykes, and one entire disc of recordings by Eddie Boyd, who found his form later than the other two but eventually had a hugely influential hit with Five Long Years, included here. Accompanists include guitarists Matt Murphy, Henry Townsend and Lonnie Graham, and the famous bassist Willie Dixon.