EU-only release. One of America's finest Blues singers, the impressive Willie Mae 'Big Mama' Thornton is probably best known as the originator of 'Hound Dog', Elvis Presley's most successful single, and 'Ball 'n' Chain', one of Janis Joplin's signature songs. Thornton's performances on the Blues, R&B, and Rock circuits riveted audiences. Her booming voice, sometimes 200-pound frame, sexually explicit lyrics and exuberant stage manner had people stomping their feet and shouting encouragement. This quintessential collector's edition contains 29 fabulous remastered studio tracks she made for different labels, such as Peacock, Duke, Irma and Bay-Tone, between 1950 and 1961. These songs mark some of the finest works from the golden age of Rhythm & Blues. Highlights include the aforementioned Rock 'n' Roll anthem, 'Hound Dog', plus explosive numbers like 'Rock-A-Bye Baby', 'Don't Talk Back', 'I Smell a Rat', and 'Stop A-Hoppin' on Me'. This is the essential material upon which Big Mama Thornton's legend was built.