1951-54

This is the first volume of recordings by Ike Turner under his own name - from Memphis to Clarksdale - includes his earliest recordings for Chess, RPM, Sun and Flair. In addition, it includes the recordings by "Mary Sue," from the same April 1952 Memphis session backed by Phineas Newborn's band that had produced Ike and Bonnie's duet version of "My Heart Belongs To You." The 1954 Clarksdale session resulted in the tracks issued as by "Lover Boy" (RPM 409), although previously credited to Ike Turner as vocalist, are now believed to be by either Dennis Binder or Billy "The Kid" Emerson with Ike on piano and guitar. The CD concludes with the remarkable instrumental medley "All The Blues, All The Time," during which Ike imitates the guitar styles of 8 blues classics.