Mercy Dee Walton

In 1953, prodigious pianist Mercy Dee Walton cut the weary and warbly R&B hit "One Room Country Shack" for Specialty Records. The legendary Mose Allison had a hit with that same song in 1957, helping to further the recognition of this Texan-cum-Californian. Although Walton's move to the West Coast was a typical transition for Texas blues players at the time, he managed to keep that hot and sweaty style tangible in his playing. His songs ranged from hyper, up-tempo blues drivers such as "Come Back Maybellene" to more sultry, base songs such as "Dark Muddy Bottom." Walton's near weeping vocals on these numbers were some of the most underrated and remarkable performances in Piano Blues.