Katie Webster Deluxe Edition CD

KATIE WEBSTER constist of early recordings originally released on Flyright LPs (530 & 613).

All tracks have been digitally remastered using 20-bit technology.

Katie Webster plays barrelhouse boogie-woogie, New Orleans R&B, Gulf Coast swamp pop, deep bayou blues and Southern gospel-flavored soul like nobody's business; her 35 years of professional piano work has appeared on at least 500 singles, including the original version of "Sea of Love," and countless albums. Music critics and fans around the world acknowledge her as the premier female blues piano player anywhere. Alligator Records' Deluxe Edition collects 15 of her very best tracks from her three albums since 1988, and there isn't a filler track to be found. Webster never once failed to deliver on her sassy and sensuous blend of barrelhouse boogie-woogie. Some of the high points of Deluxe Edition include several duets -- "Love Deluxe" with Vasti Jackson and the classic "Who's Making Love," which finds Kim Wilson (the Fabulous Thunderbirds) and bluesman Robert Cray jamming with the Boogie Queen. Wilson also accompanies Bonnie Raitt and Webster to wail "On the Run." Other standout tracks include her remake of "Sea of Love" and the non-vegetarian "A Little Meat on the Side." "The Love You Save" and "Two Fisted Mama" are sure to go down in the music history books as prime examples of Webster's swamp boogie styles. But perhaps the best cuts of the 15 are the blues-rich vocals and sax of "Try a Little Tenderness," a sure winner, and "Never Let Me Go," a torch-bearing ballad. Alligator's Deluxe Editions are just that -- the best songs by the best artists in their catalog. And Katie Webster ranks right there at the top of that rich list. ~ Michael B. Smith

Webster is at her full bayou-bred boogie-blues best here, when she was the queen of south Louisiana's swamp sessioneers. Webster's own late-'50s/early-'60s output for producer J.D. Miller was no less captivating; her self-named dance number "The Katie Lee" and "Mama Don't Allow" that uproots the Gary U.S. Bonds party vibe to New Orleans are two of the best items on the 20-track disc. There's also her blues-drenched "No Bread, No Meat" and a nice version of "Sea of Love" (Webster added the gently rolling piano to Phil Phillips's original hit). ~ Bill Dahl

Katie Webster plays barrelhouse boogie-woogie, New Orleans R&B, Gulf Coast swamp pop, deep bayou blues and Southern gospel-flavored soul like nobody's business; her 35 years of professional piano work has appeared on at least 500 singles, including the original version of "Sea of Love," and countl

Includes liner notes by Bruce Iglauer.

Personnel includes: Katie Webster (vocals, piano, organ); Vasti Jackson (vocals, guitar); Kim Wilson (vocals, harmonica); Robert Cray, Bonnie Raitt, Anson Funderburgh (guitar); Gus Thornton, Raphael Semmes (bass).

Producers: Katie Webster, Bruce Iglauer, Vasti Jackson, Ice Cube Slim, Kim Wilson.

Compilation producers: Bob DePugh, Bruce Iglauer, David Forte.

Engineers include: Justin Niebank, Jay Shilliday, David Axelbaum.

Personnel: Katie Webster (vocals, piano, organ); Vas-tie Jackson (vocals, guitar); Kim Wilson (vocals, harmonica); Dave Gonzales, Andrew "Jr. Boy" Jones, Anson Funderburgh, Robert Cray, Bonnie Raitt (guitar); Joe Sublett (saxophone); Andrew Love (tenor saxophone); Wayne Jackson (trumpet, trombone); Scott Campbell , Gerald Warren, Tony Coleman, Morris Jennings (drums).

Audio Mixers: David Axelbaum; David Brickson; Jay Shilliday.

Liner Note Author: Bruce Iglauer.

Recording information: Digital Recorders, Nashville, TN (1988-1991); Jasper Sound Studio, Austin, TX (1988-1991); Kiva Studios, Memphis, TN (1988-1991); Sound Studios, Aus (1988-1991); Streeterville Studios, Chicago, IL (1988-1991); Sunnyside Studios, Los Angeles, CA (1988-1991).

Photographers: David Horowitz; Robert Barclay; James Fraher; Stuart Brinin; Lisa Seifert; Paul Natkin; Paul Laraia; Ken Settle; John Gibbs Rockwood; Jack Vartoogian; Bruce Iglauer.