JD McPHERSON - I WISH YOU WOULD / STEAL AWAY (single)

Please find an adaptation of this review in Spanish at

elrockandrollyyo.blogspot.com

SIDE A = I Wish You Would   SIDE B = Steal Away

Vee-Jay Records / VJR36236-01

Before his second album (that will be reviewed here soon), JD McPherson offers us this limited edition little marvel on the historic Vee-Jay Records label with a couple of covers from two Rhythm'n'Blues and blues classics: "I Wish You Would" and "Steal Away".

But before going for the record itself, lets take a quick glance at the history of Vee-Jay Records, that was founded in the city of Gary, Indiana, in 1953 by Vivian Carter and James C Bracken and specialized in Rhythm'n'Blues, Blues, Jazz and Rock'n'Roll. Some of the names that recorded for the label are those of Billy Boy Arnold, Jimmy Reed, Memphis Slim, John Lee Hooker, The Spaniels, El Dorados, Gene Chandler, Four Seasons, Little Richard, Big Jay McNealy... August 1966 saw the closing of the company, though it had some later comebacks in different cities and aiming to different music styles.

After saying all that and being the label of the record one of the old Vee-Jay designs, note that the copyright of this single is from Rounder Records.

"I Wish You Would" was first published in 1955 on the very own Vee-Jay Records as recorded by Billy Boy Arnold. The Oklahoma singer offers a cover with a similar tempo than the original but without the harmonica, leaving the lead of the song to the electric guitar (and to the voice, of course). Up-tempo Blues or Rhythm'n'Blues, JD is at his best with this kind of rhythms and it makes you begin tapping your feet without notice.

"Steal Away" is a Blues recorded in 1963 by Jimmy Hughes and published a year later in the Fame label from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, being the song that launched the career of this artist. JD McPherson remains true to the original, keeping even the organ. A Blues ballad with a more quiet rhythm that the one of the Rhythm'n'Blues from side A.

By the way, it must be highlighted that the record comes with a card giving a code for the download of both songs in digital format.

Maybe this record is just a curiosity, but it is for sure a new proof of the good work of Mr. McPherson.

One of the original label designs

of Vee-Jay Records has been

used for this 7".