Rounder Records producer Scott Billington is preparing an expanded version of James Booker’s classic 1982 album, Classified. The new version will include nearly twice as much music as the original album, which marked one of the few times that the late pianist’s erratic genius was channeled in the studio. It was also one of the first local productions by Billington, who went on to make landmark albums with Beau Jocque, Irma Thomas, Davell Crawford and many others.

Rounder Records set to release James Booker "Classified" re-issue with unreleased music.

The new Classified issue will be a single CD or double vinyl with 22 tracks, ten of which were unreleased. Among the discoveries are a version of “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby,” with Booker playing organ with the studio band, and solo-piano alternate versions of “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” and “If You’re Lonely” – plus a six-minute slow blues, “I’m Not Sayin’.”  The more eclectic side of Booker’s repertoire will be represented by his takes on “Warsaw Concerto” –  a Richard Addinsell composition that became a hit for Liberace – and the theme from the film, The Godfather.

The expanded Classified is expected to hit the stores later this year.