R&B in DC 1940-1960: Rhythm & Blues, Doo Wop, Rockin' Rhythm and More (16-CD)

by Various Artists

Limited and numbered edition of 1,500 copies! 16-CD box set (LP-size) with 352-page hardcover book, 472 tracks.

'R&B in DC 1940 - 1960' is a celebration of Washington, D.C.'s contribution to the rise of Rhythm & Blues music from the swing era to the dawn of soul. A comprehensive historical survey places music made by performers with significant ties to the Washington region into the context of the local and national scene. From street corner vocal quartets to national stars – from Billy Eckstine, Baby Dee, TNT Tribble, and The Clovers to Frank Motley, The Crawford Brothers, Lloyd Price, and Don Covay - and the behind the scenes record people, over 120 biographies trace the development of the D.C. Sound.

The exhaustively illustrated documentary by D.C. expert and historian Jay Bruder is based on a chronology drawn from extensive research in contemporary sources. The set includes vignettes on the history of record making in Washington, local record companies, the African-American press, as well as the African-American role in radio and television in the Washington area. It illustrates how Washington's schools, churches, and amateur shows formed a launching pad for local talent and how Washington's clubs and theaters became major destinations on the R&B circuit. 472 audio tracks on 16 CDs, and a 352-page book (LP sized) bring this long overlooked musical community back to life.

• Bear Family Records presents the rise of rhythm 'n' blues in Washington, D.C. - music from the swing era, classic doo-wop of the 1940s and 1950s, rocking rhythm & blues, rock & roll and soul of the early 1960s.
• Classics such as Love Potion No. 9 (The Clovers), Wedding Bells (The Senators) and Georgianna (Lloyd Price), supplemented by local hits, long-forgotten obscure tunes and sought-after rarities.
• R&B in DC - A comprehensive 352-page hardcover LP-sized book by researcher Jay Bruder documents the exciting history of the Washington music scene from the 1940s to the 1960s - with background information on the African-American press, club scene, and nightlife with its movers and shakers, based on years of research and interviews with surviving eyewitnesses.
• Hundreds of long out of print and hard to find recordings drawn from the best available sources, carefully sequenced in order of release, form a comprehensive review of the entire recording scene. This is not just a greatest hits collection.
• R&B in DC - In depth biographies draw attention to long overlooked artists such as The Griffin Brothers with Margie Day, Delores “Baby Dee” Spriggs, Billy Fair, TNT Tribble, Frank Motley Jr., The Three of Us Trio, The Crawford Brothers, Sam Hawkins, and Phil Flowers.
• The story of Quality Records shows how this Washington-based label started by Ahment Ertegun, Herb Abramson, and Max Silverman in 1946 led to the launch of Atlantic Records two years later.
• R&B in DC - The story of Lillian Claiborne and her DC Records operation illustrates her role sustaining Washington’s recording scene from 1947 through the early 1970s.
• Pioneering vocal group recordings by The Progressive Four, The Cap-Tans, The Clovers, The Four Dots, and The Heartbreakers illustrate Washington’s early contribution to the rise of R&B vocal groups.
• R&B in DC - The set includes the 1951-52 RCA Victor sessions by TNT Tribble, Frank Motley, The Heartbreakers, and Jimmy McPhail taken direct from studio masters.
• Early recordings featuring Billy Stewart, Don Covay, and Marvin Gaye show how these artists developed from the D.C. vocal group scene.
• R&B in DC - Hundreds of arcane facts and unexpected connections drawn from contemporary sources and artist interviews provide a new insight into Washington’s role in the development of R&B.