Carl's Blues – Carl Perkins

Our audio excerpts starts with the melody. The recording itself starts with four measures of rhythm section. Carl's great mood-setting piano improvisation from the beginning is notated in the C treble clef lead sheet. They take it at a groovy slow tempo that's always a challenge to keep from rushing. Here's your chance to get your concert A-flat blues chops together.

In the beginning of 1957, Carl was still 28. He didn't turn 29 until August 16 of that year. But by 1957 he had already become quite in demand, recording at least 25 sessions that year as well as appearing on four television broadcasts. He only recorded 3 more sessions, in January, 1958, and died at 29 on March 17, 1958. A tragic loss of an artist at a young age.

Note that his earlier recording of Carl's Blues on "Introducing Carl Perkins - 1956" was not this song, but a different one with the same title.

For more information about recordings of Carl Perkins, check out Noal Cohen's Jazz History website.