Houston Boines

{{Short description|American blues singer and harmonica player (1918–1970)}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Houston Boines

| alias = *Houston Baines

  • Huston Boines

| associated_acts = {{hlist|Charley Booker|Ike Turner|Little Milton}}

| label = {{hlist|RPM|Rhythm & Blues|Sun}}

| genre = {{hlist|R&B|Memphis blues|delta blues}}

| birth_place = Hazlehurst, Mississippi, U.S.

| death_place = Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|1970|11|08|1918|12|30}}

| birth_date = December 30, 1918

| occupation = Pianist, singer, songwriter

| instrument = Harmonica

}}

Houston Boines (December 30, 1918 – November 8, 1970) was an American blues singer and harmonica player. Boines, accompanied by guitarist Charley Booker, was recruited by talent scout Ike Turner to record for Modern Records in 1952. He also recorded for Sun Records in 1953.

Biography

Boines was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, on December 30, 1918. He was still living in Hazelhurst when he enlisted in the United States Army in January 1941, before the United States entered World War II. After his service, he played with guitarists Charley Booker, Houston Stackhouse, and Eddie Cusic.{{Cite web|title=Houston Boines biography|url=https://www.last.fm/music/Houston+Boines/+wiki|website=Last.fm|language=en|access-date=2020-05-22}}

In 1952, musician and talent scout Ike Turner brought Boines to record for the Biharis Brothers at Modern. Boines signed to their subsidiary Blues & Rhythm Records.{{Cite magazine|date=February 16, 1952|title=Biharis Add New Label|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1952/Billboard%201952-02-16.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=22}} Turner accompanied Boines on piano during the session in Greenville, Mississippi, in January 1952. He also backed Charley Booker on a few tracks during that session. Boines' record Going Home / Relation Blues was released on Blues & Rhythm. The single "Superintendent Blues" / "Monkey Motion" was released on Modern's subsidiary RPM Records in August 1952.{{Cite magazine|date=August 23, 1952|title=Rhythm & Blues Record Reviews|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1952/Billboard%201952-08-23.pdf|magazine=Billboard|pages=35}}

Boines met guitarist Little Milton in Leland, Mississippi. Milton brought Boines to record for Sam Phillips at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. During a session in December 1953, backed by Milton on guitar and Ike Turner on piano, Boines recorded two tracks, including "Carry My Business On." They remained unissued until the latter appeared on the compilation Sun: The Roots Of Rock: Volume 2: Sam's Blues in 1976.{{Cite web|title=1953 Sun Sessions 2|url=http://www.706unionavenue.nl/86140925|website=706 Union Avenue Sessions|language=nl-NL|access-date=2020-05-22|archive-date=2020-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118082759/http://www.706unionavenue.nl/86140925|url-status=dead}}

Boines broadcast on the radio program King Biscuit Time on KFFA in Helena, Arkansas. Houston Stackhouse, recalled that Boines was still playing in local clubs later in life, ''but he just faded on out. He'd drink so much." Death records in Mississippi reveal that a man named therein as Huston Boines died on November 8, 1970, in Jackson; it is presumed to be Houston Boines. Stackhouse also confirmed that Boines died around that time.

Discography

= Singles =

  • 1952: "Superintendent Blues" / "Monkey Motion" (RPM 364){{Cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/artist/houston-boines|title=Houston Boines Discography - UK - 45cat|website=45cat.com|access-date=10 May 2021}}
  • 1952: "Going Home" / "Relation Blues" (Blues & Rhythm 7001){{Cite web|url=http://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/artist/houston-boines|title=Houston Boines Discography - Vinyl Albums - - Vinyl Albums|website=45worlds.com|access-date=10 May 2021}}

= Album appearances =

  • 1976: Howlin' Wolf, Little Milton, Houston Boines – Sun: The Roots Of Rock: Volume 2: Sam's Blues (Charly)
  • 2003: The Modern Downhome Blues Sessions, Volume 2: Mississippi & Arkansas 1952 (Ace){{Cite web|title=The Modern Downhome Blues Sessions, Vol. 2: Mississippi and Arkansas|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-modern-downhome-blues-sessions-vol-2-mississippi-and-arkansas-mw0000322739|website=AllMusic|access-date=May 22, 2020}}
  • 2010: Ike Turner – That Kat Sure Could Play! The Singles 1951 to 1957 (Secret Records Limited)

References

{{Reflist}}