Ivory Joe Hunter (October 10, 1914 – November 8, 1974)[1] was an American rhythm-and-blues singer, songwriter, and pianist.

[3] He graduated high school in 1930 and made his first recording for Alan Lomax and the Library of Congress as a teenager, in 1933.

[5] In the early 1940s, Hunter had his own radio show in Beaumont, Texas, on KFDM, for which he eventually became program manager.

Two years later, he recorded further R&B hits; on "I Quit My Pretty Mama" and "Guess Who" he was backed by members of Duke Ellington's band.

With his smooth delivery, Hunter became a popular R&B artist, and he also began to be noticed in the country music community.

He toured widely with a backing band and became known for his large build (he was 6 feet 4 inches tall), his brightly colored stage suits, and his volatile temperament.

[3] Hunter's "Empty Arms" and "Yes I Want You" also made the pop charts, and he had a minor hit with "City Lights" in 1959, just before his popularity began to decline.

The album was recorded in Memphis with a band that included Isaac Hayes, Gene "Bowlegs" Miller and Charles Chalmers.