Chuck Berry - No Money Down

Chess 1615, 1955

His third single for Chess, and he's already livin' large. I'm surprised he didn't ask for GPS.

Wanda Jackson - It's The Same World (Wherever You Go)

Decca 29677, 1955

One of her first records, recorded at Decca after initially being turned down by Capitol. She's still singing fairly straight Country here, something that would change after a few more tours with Gene Vincent and Elvis.

Muddy Waters - I'm Ready

Chess 1579, 1954

This disc obviously had a hard life, but it still delivers the goods.

It's been said that you weren't really a Chess artist in the fifties until Willie Dixon wrote your signature tune.  This certainly was Muddy's.

Willie's on here of course (his upright bass really cuts through the decades of wear), along with the usual suspects at the time: Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, Otis Spann, Fred Below.