Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues, 1945-1970

This two-CD, 36-song collection of seminal R&B sides recorded in and around Nashville is a treasure trove of great songs, singers and musicians. While most achieved regional recognition at best, this is the foundation upon which much of modern R&B was built. From the boogie-blues piano of Cecil Gant’s “Nashville Jumps” (1946) and the plaintive, strummed guitar and four-part harmonies of the Prisonaires’ “Just Walkin’ in the Rain” (1952), which became a national hit in 1955 for Johnnie Ray, to the lascivious invocation of Arthur Gunter’s “Baby Let’s Play House” (1954), which provided young Elvis Presley with his first hit when he covered it a year later—these songs are all worthy of placement on this celebratory archive. And they’re guaranteed to provide the perfect soundtrack to many a backyard barbecue or after-hours party. Copious liner notes on the history of each song are an added bonus.