Sorry gassman, Bie Joe DID NOT play the piano on any of his own recordings. That would be Vann "Piano Man" Walls (you can hear Joe say "play it Vann" at the end of the cut). He was the piano player for the Atlantic Records studio band during this time and even made some recordings for Atlantic under his own name. He could boogie-woogie with the best of them. Also - Pete Johnson played on many of Big Joe's recordings as well over the many years (late 20's on thru 1956) they worked together!
I was a big fan. I saw him perform just before he died in the 80's. He was very ill - maybe 350-400 lb., couldn't see or walk very well, no teeth, but sing? He didn't appear to have lost any of that gift. I am so glad that there are You Tube posts so that younger folks can see and hear him when he was at the top of his game.
Big Joe was one of the first stars I seen at my very first Rock concert back in May 1956 when I was a freshman in high school. On the bill was Bo Diddley, The Platters, Clyde McPhatter. LaVern Baker, Bill Haley and the Comets, The Drifters, The Flamingos, and the Teen Queens. What an introduction to this rock n' roll to this green white kid! Got my groove by the time I was a sophomore though!
my grandmother wouldn't allow us to play this in the house, she called it rag time.everthing I am I owe to her .1898 she was great moral teacher.and she wasn't a victim, she allways said treat em nice and go on,