Bo Diddley
Recorded
1955–1958
Released
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Bo Diddley’s debut album was more of a singles compilation, recorded between March 1955 and January 1958, so the backing bands vary from track to track: Otis Spann or Lafayette Leake on piano, Willie Dixon on bass, Frank Kirkland or Clifton James on drums, and multiple harmonica players, including Little Walter, Lester Davenport, and Billy Boy Arnold. These were all Chicago bluesmen, and this is amped-up, primal blues mostly set to Diddley’s trademark rhythm, a 3–2 Afro-Latin beat like a caveman clave. His yawping vocals and massively reverbed guitar made him sound larger than life, and tracks like “Bo Diddley,” “I’m a Man,” “Who Do You Love?” and “Before You Accuse Me” carried more threat than the work of Chuck Berry. Even his love songs like “Pretty Thing” and “Dearest Darling” are weirdly intimidating.