Tempo-Tone Records
| Tempo-Tone Records | |
|---|---|
| Active years | 1948-1949, 1976 |
| founder | Irving Taman |
| Seat | Chicago |
| Genre (s) | Blues , rhythm and blues |
Tempo-Tone Records was an American blues record label that was founded in 1948 and existed until 1949.
The short-lived label Tempo-Tone, for which only about three recording sessions and probably two more unknown sessions were held, is considered legendary for the early recordings of the most important musicians of the Chicago post-war blues , such as Muddy Waters and Little Walter at the beginning of their careers, as well the involvement of musicians like Chicago blues scene like Sunnyland Slim , Floyd Jones , Baby Face Leroy Foster and Jimmy Rogers .
Tempo-Tone was founded by Irving Taman (1920-1992), who owned a restaurant called Irv's Boulevard Lounge (301 North Sacramento corner Fulton Street). Around 1948/49 he started the Tempo-Tone company with musicians who performed in his restaurant, such as the pianist Sunnyland Slim in October 1948, in whose band Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Floyd Jones and Baby Face Leroy Foster played as a singer. In 1976 Taman reactivated his label briefly for an R&B recording with singer Blanche Jackson ( Getting High on Love ).
The sessions
The sessions took place at Universal Recording Studio, Chicago on May 14, 1949.
| Recording dates | Label number | Pieces | Artist | Line-up, accompanist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, May 14, 1949: |
TT 1001 | Hard Times, School Days | Floyd Jones Vocal with Sunny Land Slim and His Sunnyland Boys | Sunnyland Slim (p); Floyd Jones (voc, eg); Muddy Waters (eg); Elga Edmonds (d) |
| Chicago, May 14, 1949: |
TT 1002 | You Don't Have to Go (unpublished), I'm in Love with a Woman | Sunnyland Slim & His Sunnyland Boys | Sunnyland Slim (p); Jimmy Rogers (voc, eg); Muddy Waters (eg); Elga Edmonds (d) |
| Chicago, May 14, 1949 |
TT 1003 | Blue baby, I want my baby | Little Walter Vocal with Sunny Land Slim and Muddy Water ( sic ) Accompaniment | Sunnyland Slim (p); Little Walter (hca, voc); Muddy Waters (eg); Baby Face Leroy Foster (eg); Elga Edmonds (d); ensemble (voc -1) |
| Chicago, May 14, 1949 |
TT 1004 | Red Headed Woman, Boll Weevil Blues | Sunnyland Slim & His Sunnyland Boys | Sunnyland Slim (p); Baby Face Leroy Foster (eg, voc); Muddy Waters (eg); Elga Edmonds (d) |
| Chicago, May 14, 1949 |
TT 1005 | Frozen Ground, Down the Road | Sunnyland Slim & His Sunnyland Boys | Lonesome Sam (voc); Sunnyland Slim (p); Baby Face Leroy Foster (eg); Muddy Waters (eg); Elga Edmonds (d) |
| Chicago, May 14, 1949 |
TT 1006 | (Title unknown) | Bruce Heller Trio | (Musician unknown) |
Individual evidence
- ^ A b c Robert L. Campbell & Robert Pruter: The Tempo-Tone Label ( Memento from June 23, 2006 in the Internet Archive )