In a career that spans seventy years and embraces several hundred recordings, Johnny Otis has been musician, author, DJ, TV broadcaster, minister, songwriter, bandleader, singer, talent scout and producer and has achieved maximum success with whatever he’s turned his hand to. As he approaches his 90th birthday, Ace is delighted to present a two volume CD overview that spans almost 30 of his years as a musical catalyst. “Midnight At The Barrelhouse” kicks of with prime examples of Johnny’s earliest work as a bandleader and runs though to the start of his time as part of Capitol Records’ rock‘n’roll roster. Even though he is not always the featured performer on these tracks, all of them bear his input and indelible imprint in some way. Among its many highlights are the original versions of R&B standards ‘Willie And The Hand Jive’, ‘Double Crossing Blues’, ‘Tough Enough’ , ‘So Fine’ and ‘Every Beat Of My Heart’. Also included is Johnny’s Show’s 1957 UK Top 10 rocked up revival of ‘Ma! He’s Making Eyes At Me’ – a bigger hit here than in the USA. As ever, the music is accompanied by a booklet that overflows with period photographs and label shots to complement its lengthy essay. 1.1. HARLEM NOCTURNE –Johnny Otis, his drums and orchestra 2. MIDNIGHT IN THE BARRELHOUSE - Johnny Otis Orchestra 3. JOHNNY OTIS SIGNATURE - Johnny Otis And His Orchestra 4. GOOD OLD BLUES - Johnny Otis Orchestra 5. BOOGIE GUITAR - Johnny Otis Orchestra 6. DOUBLE CROSSING BLUES - Johnny Otis Quintette 7. THE TURKEY HOP PART TWO - Johnny Otis Orchestra 8. WEDDING BOOGIE - Johnny Otis Congregation 9. OOBY DOO - Johnny Otis and his Orchestra 10. MISS MITCHELL - Johnny Otis and his Orchestra 11. ROCK ME BABY - Johnny Otis and his Orchestra 12. ROBEY'S BOUNCE - Johnny Otis and his Orchestra 13. JOHNNY OTIS SIGNATURE - Johnny Otis 14. HEY! HEY! HEY! HEY! - Johnny Otis And His Orchestra 15. TOUGH ENOUGH - Johnny Otis and the Jayos 16. THE MIDNIGHT CREEPER PTS 1 & 2 - Johnny Otis And His Orchestra 17. HOUND DOG - Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton 18. SHORTNIN' BREAD - Johnny Otis 19. CATTLE TRAIN - Johnny Otis And His Orchestra 20. SO FINE - The Sheiks 21. EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART - The Royals 22. SHAKE IT LUCY BABY - The Johnny Otis Show 23. MA! (HE'S MAKING EYES AT ME) - The Johnny Otis Show 24. BYE BYE BABY - The Johnny Otis Show 25. THE JOHNNY OTIS HAND JIVE AKA WILLIE AND THE HAND JIVE - The Johnny Otis Show