Mr. Bo - If Trouble Was Money

When Detroit blues artist Mr Bo recorded this album in February, 1995 it had been 20 years since he had recorded professionally. Highly regarded for a handful of 45s he had recorded for various Detroit labels during the '50s, '60s and '70s, his recording career had take a long hiatus while his live performing career continued to thrive. Louis Bo Collins was born on April 7, 1932 in Indianola, Mississippi; he moved north to Chicago in 1946 and settled in Detroit in the early 1950s. Befriended by Washboard Willie, his growing interest in performing the blues was encouraged, and he was soon playing house parties throughout Detroit, performing with the likes of Jhn Lee Hooker, Eddie Burns and Little Sonny. Under the name "Mr Bo," Collins began a recording career in 1959 which would eventually be responsible for some of the finest blues ever to come out of Detroit. The singles reveal a singer and guitarist influenced by B B King and T-bone Walker, but they also reveal an artist who created a blues style that was uniquely his own. Perhaps the most enduring recording from this period is "If Trouble Was Money," penned by his brother Little Mac Collins and covered by many since its 1966 release. This disc contains some of the best of Mr Bo's classic songs and some new original compositions. Backed by a strong band with which he had played the past several years, he used these sessions to lay down track after tarc of some of the finest music of his life. Sly, Mr Bo never lived to see this album issued. On September 19, 1995 he succumbed to pneumonia at Detroit's Harper Hostipal. Only 63, Mr Bo's death brought to a close the career of one of Detroit's finest blues artists. The blues on "If Trouble Was Money" serve as a testament to the career of Louis Mr Bo Collins.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• blues
• music