Track Listing

1. Hound Dog
2. My Man Called Me
3. I Smell a Rat
4. They Call Me Big Mama
5. You Don't Move Me No More [#]
6. Let Your Tears Fall Baby [#]
7. Rock-A-Bye Baby [#]
8. Yes, Baby [#]
9. How Come [#]
10. Nightmare [#]
11. Stop A-Hoppin' on Me [#]
12. Just Like a Dog (Barking up the Wrong Tree) [#]
13. Walking Blues
14. Big Chance
15. Hard Times [#]
16. Laugh, Laugh, Laugh [#]
17. Fish [#]
18. I've Searched The Whole World Over

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28230 in Music
• Brand: MCA
• Released on: 1992-12-22
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.com
The classic "Hound Dog" is usually associated with Elvis Presley, but blues fans know: Presley's recording wasn't the first. That honor belongs to singer Big Mama Thornton, whose own recording of "Hound Dog" was eclipsed by Presley's. Her version is on this collection in all its glory, opening a CD of 17 killer tracks. Thornton's voice, by turns growling and richly melodic, was indeed unusual, and the spare accompaniment on Hound Dog makes it stand out all the more on songs such as "They Call Me Big Mama," "How Come," "The Big Change," "Hard Times," and "The Fish." Thornton had talent and attitude to spare, and both come through loud and clear on this essential collection. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews

Much better than Elvis Presley!
I have heard quite a few rock performers from the 1950s: Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, Big Joe Turner, Carl Perkins, etc. And I must say that this CD is my very favorite CD of 50s music. Hey, I like Elvis Presley, but I realize that Big Mama Thornton was better than him. Her version of "Hound Dog" is so superior to his that it makes me wonder why his was the version that became so popular. And it's not just that one song, either. Instead, all of the songs on this collection are excellent. I suppose that some people would place this CD in the blues categoty, but I say that it is rock. Yes, this CD is rock and roll as it was meant to be. I hope that in 100 years from now when people make lists of the best rock music of the 20th century, the music from this CD will be high on their lists. If you have any interest at all in listening to music from the very birth of rock and roll, then this disc should make a very valuable addition to your collection.

Awesome swingin'n'wailin' jumpin' blues & R+B!!!
Big Mama has a big growlin' voice, I mean she could eat Big Maybelle for breakfast(though Maybelle is an equally versitile and great performer). Mama had a hit in Hound Dog way brfore Elvis, and she sings the heck out of it, making Presley's "hiccuped" version, pale in comparison. This cd is not really rock'n'roll as many people atste in the reviews it is pure 1950's R&B, with honking saxes, it qualifies as jump blues, and you can even jitterbug, lindy hop or jive for dancing purposes. It might be considered pre-rock'n;roll, or she may have been influential, but Mama's no more a rock'n'roller then Ruth Brown or Dinah Washington. Though rockabilly people such as myself like her rough style(think of Ruth Brown or Etta James, without the swettness), and you have Big Mama. My favorite is the straight lindy hopper jump blues "They Call Me Big Mama"(which has been covered very well by newer singer Vandeye Kane). The whole cd is worth repeated listenings, and it's good stuff to play while cruising East L.A. in your lowered 50's Chevy convertible.

big mama could belt out a number!
Although Elvis Presley remains one of my all time favorite singers, I must admit that his version of Hound Dog never felt right to these ears--and now I know why: because Big Mama Thornton's version is right on target and makes sense. This was a song (originally) sung by a woman to a no-good bum of a man. Not only that, she does a better job of it than Elvis, etc.

Hey, what can I say? Some things Elvis sang just didn't go over that well--and, yes, we know, some of his tunes couldn't be done by anyone else--because they were pure Elvis and his alone.

Get this CD by Big Mama Thornton. The lady had it.