Lenoir, J.B. – “J.B. Lenoir ” – [Roots]

These recordings from 1951 ??? 1956 show off Lenoir???s songwriting, guitar playing and sweet boyish voice. Unusual for blues at the time is that some songs tackle national issues such as Eisenhower, the Korean War, and paying taxes. Plenty of hints of early rock and roll.

John Mayall and Elvis Costello, who have covered his songs, cite Lenoir as an influence. Born in 1929, Lenoir died in a car accident in 1967.