The Great British Rhythm And Blues Barrelhouse And Boogie Bonanza 1962-1968

Released in 1982 on the Decca label, this compilation serves as a retrospective document of the early 1960s British blues boom. It was curated to capture the raw, club-based energy of artists who were heavily influenced by American rhythm and blues, boogie-woogie, and barrelhouse piano traditions. The collection focuses on the transitional period when groups in the United Kingdom were moving from faithful covers of American blues standards toward the more aggressive sounds that would define the British Invasion.

The album functions as a historical survey of a specific subculture, featuring tracks that reflect the influence of mentors like Alexis Korner and the output of various bands that frequented the London club circuit during the early 1960s. The design and liner notes were intended to appeal to enthusiasts of roots-based rock and blues history, aiming to preserve the gritty, unpolished aesthetic of the original recording sessions. Upon its release, it was regarded by music historians as a useful archival set, helping to contextualize the roots of the blues-rock explosion that subsequently reshaped global popular music.