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An in depth look at the recordings of this fine R&B/
pop/ jazz vocalist featuring 40 tracks on two CDs recorded between 1945
and 1953. Though largely forgotten today she had a number of hits in the
40s including a #1 hit with I Want To Be Loved (But Only By You)
for Manor, with backing by The Four Tunes. Over the next decade she
would go back to this style with backing by The Tunes as well as other
groups like The Five Kings and The Striders. SAVANNAH CHURCHILL: All Alone/ All Of Me/ And So I
Cry/ Can Any One Explain ( (No No No)/ Daddy Daddy/ Don't Grieve, Don't
Sorrow, Don't Cry/ Don't Try To Explain/ Don't Worry About Me/ Foolishly
Yours/ Get Yourself Another Guy/ How Could I Know/ I Can't Get Up The
Nerve To Kiss You/ I Cried/ I Don't Believe In Tommorrow/ I Want To Be
Loved (But Only By You)/ I Want To Cry/ I'll Never Be Free/ I'll Never
Belong To Anyone Else/ I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry/ I'm Too Shy/ If I
Didn't Love You So/ In Spite Of Everything You Do/ Is It Too Late/ It's
No Sin/ Just Whisper/ My Affair/ My Memories Of You/ Once There Lived A
Fool/ Raining Down In Sunshine Lane/ Savannah Sings The Blues/ Sincerely
Yours/ Tell Me So/ The Devil Sat Down And Cried/ The Gypsy Was Wrong/
Try To Forget/ Waiting For A Guy Named Joe/ Walking By The River/
Wedding Bells Are Breaking Up That Old Gang Of Mine/ When You Come Back
To Me/ Would You Hurt Me Now
Two CDs, 53 tracks, highly recommended
If you are
familiar with the name Les Cooper it's most likely for his great R&B
instrumental Wiggle Wobble with Cooper on piano and hot sax from
Joe Grier which was an R&B hit in 1962. But Cooper was more than a one
hit wonder as this fine collection shows. Born in Virginia in 1931 he
started performing gospel in his teens in a group with Johnny "Buddy"
Barnes as lead. In the late 40s the two moved to New York and teamed up
with baritone singer Bobby Dunn to play the clubs. In 1953 with the
addition of William Goodman as bass they formed the doowop group The
Empires who recorded a number of fine sides for various labels over the
next three years and these comprise the first 22 tracks on disc 1. After
the group split up Cooper strated working for Bobby Robinson as talent
scout, writer and arranger and was involved with recording vocal groups
and the rest of the first disc features recordings by three of these
groups - The Charts, Ladders and The Kodoks. Disc two is a change of
pace opens with his big hit Wiggle Wobble and continues with a
rare Palace LP from 1961/62 by "Bobby Dunn with Les Cooper & His
Twisters" with Cooper on piano. Essentially a twist album - two thirds
of the tracks are hard driving instrumentals and feature an excellent
band and the rest feature solid vocals by Bobby Dunn. This is followed
by two more tracks from the group featured on Wiggle Wobble which
is probably the same band as on the Palace LP. For a complete change of
pace the last twelve tracks are all gospel featuring Bobby Dunn as
leader of a gospel quartet The Sensationals - also from a rare Palace LP
and are excellent. An excellent compilation with informative notes by
Opal Louis Nations. (FS) THE CHARTS: Deserie/ Zoop/ LES COOPER & THE SOUL
ROCKERS: Dig Yourself/ Twistin' (One More Time)/ Wiggle Wobble/ BOBBY
DUNN & THE SENSATIONALS: Climbing Up The Hill/ Father/ I Can't Begin To
Tell You/ I Must Tell Jesus/ I Want To Rest/ It's Me/ Jesus Is With Me/
My God Called Me This Morning/ One Day When The Lord Will Call Me/
Praise God/ Somebody Is Always By My Side/ Try Him And See/ BOBBY DUNN
WITH LES COOPER & HIS TWISTERS: Do The Twist/ I've Got Love In My Heart
For You/ Les Cooper's Twist/ Shimmy Baby/ The Chinese Twist/ The Congo
Twist/ The Latin Twist/ Twist With The Twisters/ Twisting On The Hill/
Twisting With Joyce/ What A Thrill!/ You Are The One/ THE EMPIRES: By
The Riverside/ Corn Whiskey/ Don't Touch My Girl/ I Want To Know/ Linda/
Magic Mirror/ Make Me Or Break Me/ My Baby, My Baby/ My First Discovery/
Ragged And Hungry/ Shirley/ Somebody Changed The Lock/ Tell Me Pretty
Baby/ Whispering Heart/ If I'm A Fool/ Zipperty Zip/ Looking For Love/
Till We Meet Again/ Magic Mirror/ Tonight And Forever/ THE KODOKS
(KODAKS): Guardian Angel/ Teenager's Dream/ THE LADDERS: Counting The
Stars/ I Want To Know
16 tracks, recommended
The name Bettye Crutcher is
probably familiar to those anoraks among us who scrutinize the
songwriting credits on albums; first and foremost, she co-wrote Johnnie
Taylor's 1968 smash, Who's Making Love, but along with Raymond
Jackson and Homer Banks (collectively known as We Three), Crutcher
racked up some impressive credits in the late 60's/early 70's by
delivering songs to Carla Thomas, Darrell Banks, Chuck Brooks, the
Staple Singers, and Booker T. & the MGs. After she split from We Three
in 1971, Crutcher wrote with other writers and solo (among those who
recorded songs from this period were the Emotions, Shirley Brown, and
William Bell) before recording her first and only LP in late '73 and
early '74. Released in April 1974 on Stax's Enterprise subsidiary, the
album, which makes its' CD debut here, didn't receive much support from
the Stax promotion machine but it has retained a reputation among
collectors and Hip Hop artists, who have frequently mined the LP's
grooves for samples. Bettye has a lightweight voice compared to other
Stax women like Mavis Staples and Carla Thomas, but she makes the most
of it on funky, proto-disco songs like Sugar Daddy/ As Long As You
Love Me/ Sunday Morning's Gonna Find Us in Love, and A Little Bit
More Won't Hurt. As the album contains a mix of uptempo numbers and
ballads, it reveals itself as a typical mid-70's R&B album. The last six
songs are previously unreleased bonus tracks that might have been
recorded in 1972 or '73, and seem more commercial than anything on the
LP proper, especially So Glad to Have You and We've Got Love
On Our Side. In sum, this album will be of interest more to Soul
collectors than the casual fan-ie well crafted and worth a listen, but
nothing essential to a non-fan. (GMC)
Two CDs, 53 tracks, highly recommended
Excellent cross
section of recordings by this poplar and influential performer who used
his musical talents to help in his successful bid to become governor of
Louisiana in 1944. His early sides from 1929 to 1934 featured on disc
one and the first part of disc 2 find him as a singer steeped in the
blues and influenced by Rogers but unlike Rodgers was fond of bawdy and
double entendre songs like She's A Hum Dum Dinger/ Bearcat Mama From
Horner's Corner/ Pea Pickin' Papa/ Sewing Machine BLues and, of
course, Tomcat And Pussy Blues as long as plenty of less
salacious material. He is usually accompanied by guitar and steel guitar
- a couple of these feature the great African-American slide guitarist
Oscar Woods. By 1936 he had abandoned his wicked ways and started
recording more standard country fare accompanied by larger groups and
are excellent with fine steel guitar from Charles Mitchell, Bill Harper
on fiddle and others. In 1940 he recorded the song You Are My
Sunshine - one of the most popular of all country and popular songs
and it was a massive hit and was used by Davis as promotion during his
gubernatorial run and eventually became the state song of Louisiana.
Though credited to Davis and Charles Mitchell it was originally recorded
by The Rice Brothers a year earlier and Davis bought the rights from
them. Overall an excellent and varied collection that avoids most of
Davis's more sentimental songs. Excellent sound with informative notes
and full discographical information. (FS) JIMMIE DAVIS: 1982 Blues/ A Woman's Blues/ Alimony
Blues/ Arabella Blues/ Bang Bang/ Bearcat Mama From Horner's Corner/
Davis Limited/ Davis' Salty Dog/ Do You Ever Think Of Me/ Down At End Of
Memory Lane/ Easy Rider Blues/ Get On Board Aunt Susan/ Good Time Papa
Blues/ Goodbye Old Booze/ High Behind Blues/ Home Town Blues/ I Hung My
Head And Cried/ I Just Dropped In/ I'm Gonna Write Myself A Letter/ In
My Cabin Tonight/ Just A Girl That Men Forget/ Keyhole In The Door/
Lonely Hobo/ Market House Blues/ Midnight Blues/ My Mary/ Nobody's
Darlin' But Mine/ Old Timer (with Charles Mitchell's Orchestra)/ Organ
Grinder Blues/ Out Of Town Blues/ Pea Pickin' Papa/ Penitentiary Blues/
Pi-Rootin' Around/ Prisoner's Song/ Red Nightgown Blues/ Ridin' Down The
Arizona Trail/ Rockin' Blues/ Saturday Night Stroll/ Sewing Machine
Blues/ She Left A Runnin' Like A Sewing Machine/ She's A Hum Hum Dinger/
She's A Hum Hum Dinger (From Dingersville)/ Shirt Tail Blues/ Sweet
Lorene/ That's Why I'm Nobody's Darling/ The Last Letter/ The Shotgun
Wedding/ There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder/ There's Evil In Ye
Children/ Tomcat And Pussy Blues/ Wampus Kitty Mama/ When A Boy From The
Mountain/ You Are My Sunshine
17 tracks, almost highly recommended
Solid set of
electric Chicago blues from this duo originally issued on the tiny Razor
label in 1979 and reissued here on CD for the first time with four bonus
previously unissued tracks. Guitarist John Embry and singer & bassist
"Queen" Sylvia Embry were married for a while but were divorced by the
time they recorded this album but work together seamlessly. Sylvia was a
powerful vocalist, a little reminiscent of Big Mama Thornton but ot as
flexible and wrote most of the songs here. John was a very fine
guitarist whose techniques drew on the older 50s Chicago stylings as
well as the more energetic 70s techniques. They are backed by a small
energetic combo. Though no great originals they turn in a solid and
entertaining set with fine singing and playing and some decent original
songs. (FS)
Two CDs, 46 tracks, very highly recommended
A superb
collection featuring all the singles cut by the incredibly talented Don
Gibson for MGM and RCA between 1956 and 1962. Gibson was a wonderfully
soulful singer and one of the finest songwriters in Nashville and many
of his songs have become country standards. He first recorded in 1949
and his early recordings made little impact. This set picks up the story
in 1956 when he had his first country hits with the fabulous Sweet
Dreams - a songs that has been recorded by hundreds of artists in
almost every musical style. In 1957 he he moved to RCA where under the
guidance of Chet Atkins he was to an enviable string of hits in both the
country and pop charts. Gibson always epitomized the positive aspects of
the late 50s/ early 60s "Nashville Sound." He and producer Atkins (whose
stinging lead guitar graces much of the RCA material here) achieved a
sound that flattered Gibson's voice without fiddles and steel. All the
great RCA hits are here starting with the incredible double sided Oh
Lonesome Me/ I Can't Stop Loving You - both sides reaching the
country and pop charts. Other classics include Blue Blue Day/ Look
Who's Blue/ Lonesome Old House/ Just One Time/ Sea Of Heartbreak, a
remake of Sweet Dreams and more - all written by Gibson. And
manyof the flipsides are almost as good - Too Soon To Know (a
Gibson original, not the Orioles standard)/ I Couldn't Care Less/
Legend In My Time (not a hit for Gibson but since recorded my many
artists)/The Same Street and others. Gibson's music neatly
straddled the line between country and pop without ever becoming
schlocky. Includes informative notes by Bob Fisher. (FS) DON GIBSON: A Legend In My Time/ A Stranger To Me/
Ah-Ha/ Baby We're Really In Love/ Big Hearted Me/ Blue Blue Day/ Don't
Tell Me Your Troubles/ Everything Turns Out For The Best/ Far, Far Away/
Give Myself A Party/ Heartbreak Avenue/ I Ain't A Studyin' You Baby/ I
Ain't Gonna Waste My Time/ I Believed In You/ I Can Mend Your Broken
Heart/ I Can't Leave/ I Can't Stop Loving You/ I Couldn't Care Less/ I
Let Her Get Lonely/ I Love You Still/ I May Never Get To Heaven/ I Must
Forget You/ I Think Its Best (To Forget Me)/ I'm Gonna Fool Everybody/
I'm Movin' On/ It Happens Everytime/ Just One Time/ Lonesome Number One/
Lonesome Old House/ Look Who's Blue/ Oh Lonesome Me/ Run Boy/ Sea Of
Heartbreak/ Sittin' Here Cryin'/ So How Come No One Loves Me/ Sweet
Dreams/ Sweet Dreams/ The Road Of Life Alone/ The Same Old Trouble/ The
Same Street/ The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise/ Too Soon To Know/
What A Fool I Was For You/ What About Me/ Who Cares/ You're The Only One
For Me
A Man Like Me Me Is Hard To Find -
Rarities and Gems
● CD $17.98
Two CDs, 30 tracks, 117 mins, highly recommended
Superb
collection of sides by the greatest of all Texas country bluesman - much
of it not readily available on CD and some on CD for the first time. It
opens with his four incredible and very rare sides recorded for TNT in
1953 and featuring some of his most ferocious electric guitar playing.
There are four superb solo acoustic cuts from 1959 recorded for Mac
McCormick and originally issued on Tradition. In 1960 Lightnin'
travelled to New York to record for Bobby Robinson acoustically
accompanied by bass and drums and there are five sides from that session
including that two that were not originally issued. There are There are
four superb electric tracks from the 1964 LP "Live At The Bird Lounge" -
an album that has never been reissued on CD in its entirety but
certainly deserves to be - the performances are tremendous. In 1968
Lightnin' returned to recording for an African American audience and
recorded a series of popular singles and LPs for Stan Lewis's Jewel
label and there eight tracks from these sessions - two with a small
group and six solo sides that were originally unissued and previously
only available on a long out of print Westside double CD. The last five
sides are not identified but some are from sessions cut for Roy Ames in
1968 with LIghtnin' accompanied by a drummer and on the great World
Is In A Tangle by Elmore Nixon on piano. Fine notes by Bill Dahl. An
excellent collection that actually lives up to its title (a rarity for
the Fuel label!) (FS)
Two CDs, 27 tracks, recommended
Two live performances
from 1965 by the Delta blues legend. The first disc features a
performance at Oberlin College right after he had recorded his Columbia
album and finds Son in good spirits giving lengthy introductions to each
song which are fascinating the first time but you probably won't want to
hear every time. Most of the songs are one he recorded for the album
including Levee Camp Moan/ Empire State Express/ Preachin' The Blues/
John The Revelator, most accompanied by his steel bodied National
and a couple unaccompanied. His vocals are powerful and the guitar work
is exciting though he seems to run out of steam later in the show
resulting in a few clams. Sound quality is excellent. The second disc
was recorded live at the Gaslight Cafe in New York on January 3, 1965
not too long after his rediscovery. Son is in good, if not great, form
on a collection includingPony Blues/ Preachin' The Blues/ Son's
Blues/ Death Letter Blues/ I Shall Not Be Moved/ Empire State Express/
Louise McGhee and others. Son's performances on the first set seem a
little tentative but are stronger and more assured on the second. A
couple of the songs are cut short (presumably recorder ran out of tape)
and there is noticeable tape hiss on the quieter moments. While not
essential performances these are a worthwhile addition to the legacy of
this blues giant. These performances have been reissued before but this
is the first time they are issued with the cooperation of the House
estate and sound quality is better than on previous issues. (FS)
4 discs, 79 tracks, 252 min, essential
One of the first
as well as one of the last of the great honking tenor players, the Cajun
Jacquet got his fame in the Lionel Hampton Orch in '41-42, especially
with the groundbreaking Flying Home. Moving to L.A., this set
begins with 4 tracks from the 1st "Jazz At The Philharmonic" concert in
'44, each one clocking in at around 10 min. & featuring an all-star
aggregation including Jack McVea, Nat King Cole, JJ Johnson & Les Paul.
Most of the rest of the recordings are great small group recordings for
Philo/Aladdin & Apollo. However, in the mid-40s Jacquet became a star of
the Count Basie Orch & while in NY did some small group stuff with
Basie-ites for Savoy. Plenty of fine small-group jazz, R&B & ballads
with such stalwarts as (in L.A.) Johnny Otis, Charlie Mingus, Sir
Charles Thompson, Henry Coker, Bill Doggett, & his brother Russell
Jacquet, &, while with Basie, such Basie-ites as Freddy Green, Joe
Newman & Shadow Wilson. A notable exception is a Jacquet Orch date for
Aladdin with a 17-piece orch including Miles Davis, Fats Navarro (as
"Slim Romero"!), Dicky Wells, Big Nick Nicholas, even Leonard Feather! By
'47 Jacquet made the majors, with a series of dates for Victor from
'48-51. Ends with the beginning of his long association with
Mercury/Clef (later part of Verve). This set comes with slipcase & full
40-page booklet that gives a history & song-by-song/ solo-by-solo
coverage. (GM)
23 tracks, highly recommended
Wonderfully exuberant
string band music from Georgia featuring two groups led by raucous
fiddler and vocalist Earl; Johnson - The Dixie Entertainers and The
Clodhoppers - both feature Johnson with banjo player and vocalist Emmett
with Byrd Moore providing guitar with the former group and Lee Henderson
with the latter. The material is a mix of covers of currently popular
string band tunes, traditional pieces, comic songs and few originals and
includes both songs and instrumental breakdowns - Ain't Nobody's
Business/ Bully Of The Town/ Johnson' Old Grey Mule/ I Don't Love
Nobody/ Red Hot Breakdown/ They Don't Roost Too High For Me/ Poor Little
Joe, etc. Infectious music with fine sound and informative notes by
Tony Russell. (FS)
Exciting and original album from Alabama singer/
guitarist King who accompanied by a solid down home band lays down a
basic rhythm and sings original songs. The songs have a political
message usually dealing with racial inequalities and oppression and
sometimes bringing it down to a local level by dealing with the
residents of Pickens County, Alabama where he lives. The vocal approach
is different with King doing a call and response duet with second
vocalist Willie Lee Halbert.
31 tracks, very good
Roy Smeck was, indeed, a wizard of
strings and could play just about any stringed instruments and in the
1920s record a dazzling selection of music played on ukulele, steel
guitar, banjo and guitar (a selection of these recordings are available
on Yazoo 1052 - $16.98). Although the liner notes are evasive, these
recordings are from much later in his career, drawn from three albums
recorded for ABC in the late 50s/ early 60s. The first 11 tracks
features Roy on ukulele backed by some brilliant jazz guitarists like
Joe Puma, Tony Mottola, Al Casementi and George Barnes with bass and
drums. There are 12 tracks with him playing banjo with a Dixieland
flavored band and seven with him playing Spanish guitar accompanied by
two guitars and drums. The material is mostly standards along with a few
originals - Twelfth Street Rag (a remake of his first hit)/I
Ain't Got Nobody/ Humoresque/ Sweet Georgia Brown/ Chinatown, My
Chinatown/ Happy Polka/ Blue 'n' Blues, etc. The playing throughout
is impeccable but there is not fire in the performances and I would
class this as high quality easy listening music. (FS)
2 CDs, 21 tracks, 89 mins, highly recommended
There are
certain artists that just sound great almost all of the time, artists
whose style and sound are instantly recognizable, Willie Nelson is one,
Pops Staples was another. Pops' beautiful, soulful, raspy, vocals, and
the wonderful tremolo on that guitar of his always sound great to me.
While certainly most of Pops' greatest work was in the 1960's and '70s
with The Staples Singers, these solo records of his from the early
1990's are mighty good as well. This features a great mix of Blues,
Soul, and Gospel and really showcases all that was great about Pops.
Features fine backing musicians, with occasional big name guests like Ry
Cooder, Jim Keltner, and of course Mavis Staples. Highlights include the
haunting The Downward Road, a great take on People Get Ready
(a song he was born to sing,) Miss Cocaine/ I Shall Not Be Moved,
and much more. (JM)
24 tracks, 72 mins, highly recommended
The second volume of
this brilliant singer and piano player features 24 tracks recorded
between June 1930 and June 1931. Sykes was busy hopping from label to
label recording under the name of Willie Kelly for Victor, Dobby Bragg
for Paramount and Easy Papa Johnson for Melotone. As prolific as he was
his music was consistently outstanding with great singing, varied and
imaginative piano work and interesting and meaningful lyrics. Two tracks
feature his accompaniments to the relatively undistinguished singer St.
Louis Bessie. The sound here is mostly excellent and their are brief,
informative notes, by Chris Smith. Piano blues at its finest. (FS) ROOSEVELT SYKES: 3-6 And 9 Listen/ 32-20 Blues Listen/
As True As I've Been To You/ Big Time Woman/ Conjur Man Blues/ Cotton
Seed Blues/ Don't Put The Lights Out/ Don't Squeeze Me Too Tight/
Drinkin' Woman Blues/ Give Me Your Change Listen/ Hard Luck Man Blues/
He Treats Me Like A Dog/ I Love You More And More Listen/ Kelly's 44
Blues Listen/ Kelly's Special/ Meat Cutter Blues/ Nasty But It's Clean/
No Good Woman Blues/ No Settled Mind Blues/ Papa Sweetback Blues/ Side
Door Blues/ Thanksgivin' Blues/ We Can Sell That Thing/ You So Dumb
Two CDs, highly recommended
Blessed with two distinctive
lead voices in Sonny Til and George Nelson, this pioneer Baltimore vocal
group, along with The Ravens, blazed the R&B trail for the many 50's
vocal groups to follow. The Orioles began to record in 1948 and enjoyed
chart success with their first release, It's Too Soon to Know.
Other successes followed in the early 50's, culminating with their
biggest hit, Crying in the Chapel in 1953. And even though the
vocal group sound had begun to change by then, Til and his associates
continued to record in pretty much their original style but with more up
to date backup through early 1956. Previous reissues of The Orioles have
concentrated on their most successful period for Jubilee culminating in
the incredible 7 CD box set on Bear Family with 152 tracks (Bear Family
15682 - $145.98) but this excellent set includes some of their later
recordings. The first 37 tracks are devoted to their Jubilee sides and
includes all their biggest hits plus a couple of Sonny Til's duets with
Edna McGriff and their version of the R&B hit Yes Indeed with a
lead vocal by Jackie "Moms" Mabley. This is followed by four fine sides
recorded for Vee-Jay in 1956/57 which pretty much is in the same vein as
their later Jubilee Records. Sonny Til returned to Jubilee as a solo act
in 1960 though the four tracks here by him are pretty forgettable. The
final 12 tracks reissues the rare LP of recordings made for the Charlie
Parker label in 1962. Backed by a new incarnation of the Orioles, Til
shows that his voice still had that ethereal beauty that made him such a
big influence. Backed by a solid band of New York sidemen they turn in a
very fine set of performances - mostly remakes of their Jubilee numbers
but also including some newer songs.An excellent collection with
informative notes by Bob Fisher. (FS) SONNY TIL & EDNA MCGRIFF: Good/ I Only Have Eyes For
You/ Once In A While/ SONNY TIL & THE ORIOLES: A Kiss And A Rose/ Baby I
Love You So/ Baby Please Don't Go/ Back To The Chapel Again/ Bad Little
Girl/ Barbara Lee/ Barfly/ Come On Home/ Crying In The Chapel/ Deacon
Jones/ Don't Cry Baby/ Don't Mess Around With My Love/ Don't Tell Her
What Happened To Me/ Fair Exchange/ Feeling Low/ For All We Know/
Forgive And Forget/ Getting Tired Tired Tired/ Happy Go Lucky Local
Blues/ Hey! Little Woman/ Hold Me Squeeze Me/ Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss
Me/ How Blind Can You Be/ I Challenge Your Kiss/ I Just Got Lucky/ I
Maybe Wrong/ I Miss You So/ I Need You So/ I'd Rather Have You Under The
Moon/ In The Chapel In The Moonlight/ In The Mission Of St. Augustine/
It Ain't Gonna Be Like That/ It's Gonna Be A Lonely Christmas/ It's Too
Soon To Know/ It's Too Soon To Know/ Live It Up/ Lonely Christmas/
Longing/ Night And Day/ Secret Love/ See See Rider/ Shimmy Time/ Shrimp
Boats/ Sugar Girl/ Teardrops On My Pillow/ Tell Me So/ The First Of
Summer/ The Wobble/ There's No One But You/ Waiting/ What Are You Doing
New Years Eve/ What Are You Doing New Years Eve/ Write And Tell Me Why/
Yes Indeed
3 CDs, 54 tracks, 184 mins, very highly recommended
The
next Coen brothers movie "Inside Llewyn Davis" will be loosely based on
Dave Van Ronk's autobiography, "The Mayor Of MacDougal Street." So there
has been a lot of interest brewing about the life and music of Van Ronk.
Smithsonian Folkways has put together a fine collection here to take
advantage of that interest and help spread the gospel of Dave Van Ronk.
Of the 54 tracks here, 16 are previously unreleased. Material ranges
from a 1958 live performance - a year before his first solo album for
Folkways to a 2001 studio session, just a few months before his death.
Highlights are many, but some of my favorites are: His renditions of
Folk standards like In The Pines/ Please See That My Grave Is Kept
Clean/ Hesitation Blues (based on Rev. Gary Davis' arrangement),
St. James Infirmary, etc. Then there are excellent covers like his
take on Billie Holiday's God Bless The Child, Mississippi John
Hurt's Spike Driver Blues, and Bob Dylan's "Buckets Of Rain." On
top of all that, Dave Van Ronk could write a rip roarin' tune of his
own, and you get great takes of Losers/ Garden State Stomp/ Had More
Money, and many more. Collection comes with a thick booklet full of
excellent liner notes, recording information, etc. Fans of American Folk
music will certainly love this, but I also think that fans of any
American roots music will find a lot to love here as well. (JM)
24 tracks, 70 mins, essential
Complementing Acrobat 9012
("Bob Geddins' Big Town Record Story" - no longer available) this is
another superb collection of West Coast blues and gospel produced by the
brilliant African-American entrepreneur Bob Geddins. This volume
features most of the recordings made for his Cava-Tone label which he
operated from 1946 through 1948 producing some sensational music - quite
a bit of it ending up reissued on other Geddins labels as well as other
West Coast labels like Gilt Edge, Aladdin and RPM. It features two of
Lowell Fulson's earliest recordings with Lowell and his country blues
guitar accompanied only by his brother Martin. There are several sides
featuring the brilliant West Coast blues singer Jimmy Wilson including a
great rendition of Nobody's Business with an amazing narration
from bass singer Elbrige Vann who also takes the lead on an unexpected
rendition of Ghost Riders In The Sky. Wilson is also featured as
lead vocalist on two of the four cuts by the superb gospel group The
Rising Star Gospel Singers. Geddins was very fond of slow, doom laden
blues and there are some great examples here from Jimmy McCracklin,
Ulysses James, Emery Franklin, Roy Hawkins and The West Side Trio - the
latter's So Tired I Could Cry will sound very familiar to Otis
Rush fans. For blues guitar lovers you'll hear some great backup work on
these tracks from Ulysses James (a little known but outstanding
musician), Robert Kelton and Lafayette Thomas! About the only weak part
of this set are the rather lame cuts by Saunders King - three are dull
pop ballads and the fourth is a silly jive number that doesn't really go
anywhere. Otherwise this is a great set with excellent sound and
detailed notes from Opal Louis Nations. Next up on the menu is a CD of
Geddins's Irma label due in about a month. (FS) LOWELL FULSON: Lonesome Blues/ My Baby Left Me/ Prison
Bound/ Stormin' And Rainin'/ BOB GEDDINS CAVALIERS: Ghost Riders/
Nobody's Business/ ROY HAWKINS: Ain't No Fault Of Mine/ They Raided The
Joint/ ULYSSES JAMES: Poor Boy/ SAUNDERS KING: Big Fat Butterfly/ Nobody
Wants Me/ September Song/ When Your Lover Has Gone/ JIMMY MCCRACKLIN:
Bad Luck And Trouble/ Jimmy's Blues/ Railroad Blues/ THE RISING STAR
GOSPEL SINGERS: Brother Moses/ I Trust In God/ Telephone Line/ While The
Blood Is Running Warm In Your Veins/ THE WEST SIDE TRIO: So Tired I
Could Cry/ West Side Jump/ JIMMY WILSON: Mistake In Life/ It's A Sin To
Tell A Lie
9 tracks, 38 mins, highly recommended
Powerful and
moving music issued in the 1960s and early 70s on 45 rpm records. Unlike
some its neighbors, the music of Yemen is largely unaffected by Western
musical styles and so we have something raw and honest. Most of the
recordings feature solo vocals accompanied by oud playing with some
tracks also featuring percussion - the opening track Ya Mun Dakhal
Bahr Al-Hawa by Fatimah Al-Zaelaeyah features only percussion
accompaniment and is mezmerizing in its raw power. Most of the 45s were
found in or around the capital city of Sana'a and are stylistically
dominated by Sana'ani Lyric Poetry. The music here is not always easy to
listen to with its starkness but careful listening is very rewarding. CD
comes with 16 page booklet with extensive notes by compiler Chris
Menist. (FS)
Let's Soul Dance - Black Dance Crazes
From Late 50/ ear
● CD $18.98
2 CD, 63 tracks, highly recommended
The History of Soul
label has done an exemplary job of compiling rare R&B and soul music
from myriad sources, and here they've done it again with this collection
of dance songs. According to the liner notes, the Dance Craze era was at
its height during the years 1960-1961-1962 and came at a time when old
style R&B was losing its appeal to Black record buyers, who were being
dazzled by the proto-soul coming out of Detroit, New York, Chicago, and
the Deep South. However, dance music still sold records, and the artists
of the time were not slow to capitalize on the trend. Most of the dances
of the time are covered via assorted tracks-the Mashed Potato, the Watusi, the Twist, The Horse, the Slop, the Hully Gully, the Pony, The
Madison, the Popeye-by everyone from James Brown (Mashed Potatoes USA),
the Isley Brothers (Teach Me How to Shimmy), and Dee Dee Sharp (The
Wah-Watusi) to the Olympics (The Slop), King Coleman (Do
the Hully Gully), Marvin Gaye (Hitch Hike), and Don Covay (Pony
Time). Naturally, there's roll call of people well known to R&B
fans: Chubby Checker, the Coasters, the Contours, Bobby Marchan, Hank
Ballard, King Curtis, Willie Mitchell, and Bill Doggett to name a few.
Heck, even a couple of blues guys-Magic Sam and Freddie King-join the
fun and deliver two down and dirty cuts (Do the Camel Walk and
The Bossa Nova Watusi Twist, respectively). But what would
compilations like these do without the unsung names - The Van Dykes, The
Vibrations, Nat Kendrick, Maximilian, The Rollers, and Al Brown's
Tunetoppers-who gave their all only to be forgotten in the mists of
time. Interestingly, while dance craze king Chubby Checker is well
represented, his biggest hit The Twist is here in its original
form by Hank Ballard; similarly, the Isley Brothers' more famous version
of Twist and Shout is passed over for one by The Top Notes. But
that's ok, because this is still one heck of a CD set for anyone
interested in the black dance music from the years 1957 to 1962. (GMC)
ARTHUR ALEXANDER: A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues/ FRANK
BALLARD: Do Wa Diddi/ HANK BALLARD AND THE MIDNIGHTERS: The Twist/ EDDIE
BO: Now Let's Popeye Pt 2/ THE BRACELETS: Waddle Waddle/ LONNIE BROOKS:
The Popeye/ JAMES BROWN: Mashed Potatoes U.S.A./ Shout And Shimmy/ AL
BROWN'S TUNETOPPERS: The Madison Pts 1 And 2/ THE CANJOES: Dance The
Boomerang/ THOMAS "LITTLE JR." CANNADAY: Sloppy Twist/ CARL AND LITTLE
REV LATTIMORE: Carl's Dance Party/ CHUBBY CHECKER: Slow Twistin'/ The
Fly/ THE COASTERS: The Climb/ BRICE COEFIELD: Cha-Cha Twist/ KING
COLEMAN: Do The Hully Gully/ Let's Shimmy/ THE CONTOURS: Shake Sherrie/
LITTLE JOE COOK AND THE THRILLERS: Let's Do The Slop/ DON COVAY: Pony
Time/ KING CURTIS AND HIS NOBLE KNIGHTS: Twistin' With The King/ J.C.
DAVIS: The Chicken Scratch/ The Splib Pt 1/ THE DELLS: The (Bossa Nova)
Bird/ BILL DOGGETT: (Let's Do) The Hully Gully Twist/ THE DUTONES: The
Bird/ THE FIVE DU-TONES: Shake A Tail Feather/ The Flea/ THE FLARES:
Foot Stomping Pt 1/ THE GAY JAYS: The Chicken Back Pt 2/ MARVIN GAYE:
Hitch Hike/ GENE THE HAT: Hush Puppy/ Pass The Bug/ BENNY GORDON AND THE
SOUL BROTHERS: Camel Walk/ WILBERT HARRISON: The Horse/ GEORGE HUDSON:
Do The Bug/ The Roach/ HERBERT HUNTER: Twist It Up/ THE ISLEY BROTHERS:
Teach Me How To Shimmy/ The Drag/ NAT KENDRICK AND HIS SWANS: (Do The)
Mashed Potatoes (Part 1)/ Dish Rag Pt 1/ FREDDIE KING: The Bossa Nova
Watusi Twist/ LIL RAY (JIMENEZ) AND THE PREMIERS: Shake Shout And Soul/
MAGIC SAM: Do The Camel Walk/ BOBBY MARCHAN: Booty Green/ MAXIMILIAN:
The Snake Maximilian/ BIG JAY MCNEELY WITH LEON HAYWOOD: The Squat/
WILLIE MITCHELL: The Crawl/ THE OLYMPICS: (Baby) Hully Gully/ The Slop/
The Stomp/ THE BOBBY PETERSON QUINTET: The Hunch/ THE ROLLERS: The
Continental Walk/ DEE DEE SHARP: Mashed Potato Time/ The Wah-Watusi/ THE
TOP NOTES: Twist And Shout/ THE VAN DYKES: Stupidity/ THE VIBRATIONS:
Let's Pony Again/ The Watusi/ ANDRE WILLIAMS: Bacon Fat/ The Greasy
Chicken
4 CDs, 101 tracks, essential
Previously JSP 7725 and out
of print for a couple of years is reissued by popular demand with a new
number. A compilation which features the musical talents of a plumber's
assistant, a blacksmith, a one legged road sweeper and a midget is
always likely to be distinctive, but this is special. JSP have issued
the complete recordings of Gus Cannon's Jug Stompers along with
recordings of The Memphis Jug Band in superb sound (JSP 7745 - $28.98),
and now offer a companion set which includes Gus' first recordings as
Banjo Joe. When you add the complete pre war recordings of Furry Lewis,
Frank Stokes and Robert Wilkins, some rough, tough urban blues from
Little Buddy Doyle and a classic of slide guitar from Allen Shaw, you
have a combination that is hard to beat. Of the Memphis masters Furry
Lewis' blues, like most performers, were built around a few core musical
ideas which he varied by changing tunings, using slide on tracks like
Cannon Ball Blues or, as on I Will Turn Your Money Green,
complex picking patterns. His lyrics were interesting too, the blues
often featuring a tongue in cheek tough guy humour, but some of his best
efforts were inspired reworkings of old ballads like Billy Lyons And
Stack O'Lee and Kassie Jones. By contrast Robert Wilkins
produced finely honed, immaculately performed blues which experimented
more with the melodies and format of songs rather than their musical
accompaniment. His tales of separation, loss and trouble with the law
were sometimes set to incongruously jaunty tunes so that, as with Frank
Stokes, exposure can leave the brain permanently rewired. It can be
difficult for example to hear the pop standard Ain't Nobody's
Business If I Do without thinking of the Stokes' version: a
different, older song but one which in Frank's hands wipes the floor
with the Tin Pan Alley upstart. Essentially though Frank Stokes' music
with its ragtime elements was music to dance to, built around his
outstanding guitar duets with Dan Sane. His last session with violinist
Will Batts was different, yet still produced classic performances like
Right Now Blues, a simple but very effective song, beautifully
sung by Stokes, which reflects on a difficult relationship with
ambivalent emotions, part assertive, part pleading. There are no such
subtleties on Gus Cannon's first recordings, which draw on his medicine
show background and virtuoso banjo playing. His memorable version of
Poor Boy, with Gus playing slide on his five string banjo, is
another highlight. Sound quality is very good, and despite the fact that
there is still noticeable background noise on many tracks these complete
works have never sounded better. All reveal JSP's talent for
"de-clicking" which makes any residual noise much more tolerable. Neal
Slaven's nicely organized, informative notes concentrate on biographical
details and memories of Beale Street in its heyday, and there are some
good photos too. With historically important songs, great performances,
exemplary sound and presentation this set really has everything,
including Mr Lewis' own brand of humour. So mama get your hatchet, kill
the fly on your baby's head, and enjoy one of the best reissues of this
excellent series. (DPR) BANJO JOE (GUS CANNON): Can You Blame The Colored Man/
Jazz Gypsy Blues/ Jonestown Blues/ Madison Street Rag/ My Money Never
Runs Out/ Poor Boy, Long Ways From Home/ THE BEALE STREET SHEIKS (STOKES
& SANE): Ain't Goin' To Do Like I Used To Do/ Beale Town Bound/ Blues In
'd'/ Chicken You Can Roost Behind The Moon/ Fillin' In Blues-part 1/
Fillin' In Blues-part 2/ Half Cup Of Tea/ Hunting Blues/ It's A Good
Thing/ It's A Good Thing/ Jazzin' The Blues/ Jumpin' On The Hill/ Last
Go Round/ Mr Crump Don't Like It/ Rockin' On The Hills Blues/ Sweet To
Mama/ Wasn't That Doggin' Me/ You Shall/ You Shall/ LITTLE BUDDY DOYLE:
Bad In Mind Blues/ Grief Will Kill You/ Hard Scuffin' Blues/ Lost Baby
Blues/ Renewed Love Blues/ She's Got Good Dry Goods/ Slick Capers Blues/
Sweet Man Blues/ Three-sixty-nine Blues/ FURRY LEWIS: Big Chief Blues/
Billy Lyons And Stack O'lee/ Black Gypsy Blues/ Cannon Ball Blues/
Creeper's Blues/ Dry Land Blues/ Everybody's Blues/ Falling Down Blues/
Furry's Blues/ Good Looking Girl Blues/ I Will Turn My Money Green (take
1)/ I Will Turn My Money Green (take 2)/ Jelly Roll/ John Henry (the
Steel Driving Man) (take 1)/ John Henry (the Steel Driving Man) (take
2)/ Judge Harsh Blues (take 1)/ Judge Harsh Blues (take 2)/ Kassie
Jones, Part 2/ Mean Old Bedbug Blues/ Mistreatin' Mama/ Mr Furry's
Blues/ Rock Island Blues/ Sweet Papa Moan/ Why Don't You Come Home
Blues/ FURRY LEWSI: Kassie Jones, Part 1/ ALLEN SHAW: I Couldn't Help
It/ Moanin' The Blues/ FRANK STOKES: 'tain't Nobody's Business If I
Do-part 1/ 'tain't Nobody's Business If I Do-part 2 (take 1)/ 'tain't
Nobody's Business If I Do-part 2 (take 2)/ Bedtime Blues/ Bunker Hill
Blues/ Downtown Blues (take 1)/ Downtown Blues (take 2)/ Frank Stokes'
Dream/ How Long/ I Got Mine/ I'm Going Away Blues/ It Won't Be Long
(take 1)/ It Won't Be Long (take 2)/ Memphis Rounders Blues/ Mistreatin'
Blues/ Nehi Mamma Blues/ Old Sometime Blues/ Right Now Blues/ Shiney
Town Blues/ South Memphis Blues/ Stomp That Thing/ Take Me Back/ What's
The Matter Blues/ ROBERT WILKINS: Alabama Blues/ Black Rat Blues/ Dirty
Deal Blues/ Falling Down Blues/ Get Away Blues/ I Do Blues/ I'll Go With
Her Blues/ Jail House Blues/ Long Train Blues/ Losin' Out Blues/
Nashville Stonewall Blues/ New Stock Yard Blues/ Old Jim Canaan's/
Police Sergeant Blues/ Rolling Stone, Part 1/ Rolling Stone, Part 2/
That's No Way To Get Along
18 tracks, 41 mins, highly recommended
Norton just keeps
unearthing great stuff to put out in this excellent series. This volume
features one scorchin' hot instrumental after another. If you close your
eyes and listen real hard, you can hear the ocean, even though you are
in El Paso... Highlights include: the title track by Los Vampiranos, The
Monarcs (sp?) with Talisman and Forever Lost,Chi-Wa-Wa
by The Fortunes, and Chuck Sledge with Caterpillar Crawl and a
sparkling rendition of La Bamba. The bastard sons of Dick Dale
meet Ritchie Valens' second cousins and a good time is had by all. (JM)
17 tracks, 41 mins, highly recommended
Here's another
fine collection of (mostly) Surf tunes done by land-locked West Texans.
Highlights include The Beach Nuts with their primitive attack on The
Last Ride and a cover of Dick Dale's Surf Beat '65, The
Scavengers with an appropriately haunting version of Ghost Riders In
The Sky '65, and Wipe In by Imposters, a joke take on Wipe
Out, but done with enough scorchin' hot guitar and drums to give the
original a run for its money. You also get some killer Garage rock with
My Love by The Things. All in all this is another spot on
collection from the folks at Norton. (JM)
16 tracks, 45 mins, highly recommended
While we may
never know exactly what happened on that fateful day in Dallas 50 years
ago, we do know that Kennedy's death devastated millions of Americans.
Many of those so deeply affected channeled their emotions into their
art. Here's a collection of tribute songs, all heartfelt, some
hilarious, all representing a fascinating and unique slice of Americana.
The fact that Hasil Adkins is the best known artist on here, and
probably was the biggest name among them in the 1960s as well, shows you
the nature of these recordings. Artists ranging from pretty good Country
music: Johnny Dee A Tribute To President Kennedy, to entreatingly
stiff (I guess that you would call it Folk music) of: Bill Kushner
J.F.K. & That Terrible Day. Don't expect the wild & crazy Hasil
Adkins on his tracks here, both versions of Memories Of Kennedy
are somber recitations, even if the second version is a awash in swampy,
twangy guitar. The vast majority of tracks here are in the Country vein,
which is unique in that these recordings probably represent the last
time that a myriad of Southern voices sang the praises of a Democratic
president.Well all except for Lee Harvey Was A friend Of Mine by
Homer Henderson and The Dalworthington Garden Boys, which is a song in
defense of Oswald, possibly the first JFK conspiracy record, and
amazingly, one of the best songs on here, kind of sounds like Doug Sahm,
go figure. Good job by Norton rounding up a whole mess of totally
obscure 45s, most of which I have never seen on any compilation. Looking
forward to their RFK, MLK, and Malcolm X tributes that I hope will be
coming in later years. (JM) HASIL ADKINS: Memories Of Kennedy/ Memories Of
Kennedy/ JOHNNY DEE: A Tribute To President Kennedy/ JAMES DOTSON: A
Tragedy In Dallas/ HOMER HENDERSON: Lee Harvey Was A Friend Of Mine/
BOBBY JENZEN: Two Brothers/ THE JUSTICE BROTHERS: The Tragedy Of John F.
Kennedy/ JIM KLINK: The Death Of John F. Kennedy/ BILL KUSHNER: J.F.K. &
That Terrible Day/ BUDDY PASTUCK: John F. Kennedy/ HONORABLE BOB PETERS:
A Sunny Day In Dallas/ HAYDEN PRIVETT: The Death Of John F. Kennedy/
RALPH RYAN: The Death Of John F. Kennedy/ THE SOUTHERN GOSPEL BAND: The
Death Of John F. Kennedy/ JOHNNY TUCKER: Mr. Kennedy/ LOWELL YODER:
Don't Blame The State Of Texas
2 CD, 40 tracks, highly recommended
Until now, we've
presented exceptional country collections from the Omnivore label; now
we bring you a fine set of obscure southern soul from the Minaret
Records label. While Minaret had been established in 1962 as a mostly
country and rock 'n' roll label, it was Finley Duncan-along with his
Playground Recording Studio, located in the unlikely place of a Florida
Panhandle town-that steered the label into firm soul territory.
Minaret's most notable R&B signing was Big John Hamilton, and his tracks
make up the bulk of this compilation; although, Big John hits it out of
the park on ballads like The Train/ I Have No One/ Before the Next
Teardrop Falls (he wipes the floor with Freddy Fender), and Take
This Hurt Off Me, on the more uptempo stuff like Big Fanny or
Pretty Girls he's just ok. Elsewhere, Hamilton and Doris Allen
make fine duet partners on Let a Little Love in, doing their best
William Bell/ Judy Clay imitation; Allen doesn't do too badly on own her
own, belting out A Shell of a Woman. As for the other artists,
Johnny Dynamite (The Night the Angels Cried), Gable Reed (I'm
Your Man), Willie Gable (Eternally), Genie Brooks (Helping
Hand), and Leroy Lloyd and the Dukes (Sewanee Strut) are the
ones who deliver the goods. Two CDs of this stuff might be considered a
bit excessive, but I'd rather have two CDs worth of Minaret soul than
none at all and it comes with a 20 page booklet with informative notes
by the industrious Bill Dahl along with some great photos and label
shots. (GMC) DORIS ALLEN: A Shell Of A Woman/ Kiss Yourself For Me/
GENIE BROOKS: Fine Time/ Helping Hand/ Juanita/ South Side Of Soul
Street/ WILLIE COBBS: Don T Worry About Me/ I Ll Love Only You/ COUNT
WILLIE WITH LRL AND THE DUKES: I Ve Got To Tell You/ THE DOUBLE SOUL:
Blue Diamonds/ I Can T Use You/ JOHNNY DYNAMITE: Everybody S Clown/ The
Night The Angels Cried/ WILLIE GABLE: Eternally/ Row, Row, Row/ BIG JOHN
HAMILTON: Before The Next Teardrop Falls/ Big Bad John/ Big Fanny/
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do/ Free Me/ How Much Can A Man Take/ I Got To
Get Myself Somebody/ I Have No One/ I Just Want To Thank You/ If You Re
Looking For A Fool/ Just Seeing You Again/ Lift Me Up/ Love Comes And It
Goes/ Pretty Girls/ Take This Hurt Off Me Fool/ The Train/ A Place In My
Heart/ Let A Little Love In/ JOHN HAMILTON & DORIS ALLEN: Bright Star/
Them Changes/ LEROY LLOYD AND THE DUKES: A Taste Of The Blues/ Sewanee
Strut/ LRL AND THE DUKES: Double Funk/ GABLE REED: I M Your Man/ Who S
Been Warming My Oven
3 CDs, 60 tracks, highly recommended
Bethlehem Records'
time was brief-1954 to 1962-but during its' heyday the label was the
springboard for many big names in Jazz and pop. The New York label had
two identifying characteristics: willingness to allow artists complete
creative freedom, and a distinctive style for its' album artwork,
courtesy of designer Burt Goldblatt. Founded in New York, the recording
was mostly done in Los Angeles and the artists were a mix of new faces
and established acts-with Nina Simone (who's first LP for Bethlehem was
much acclaimed) and Julie London epitomizing the former, while Mel Torme
fell into the latter category. All three are represented here with the
stellar tracks Love Me Or Leave Me (Simone), Lulu's Back in
Town (Torme), and A Foggy Day (London), while other names
equally shine: Bobby Troup (That Old Black Magic), Herbie Mann (Chicken
Little), Zoot Sims (Doggin' Around), Guitar Crusher (I
Once Loved You Baby) - in fact, all of Disc 3 is primo stuff-Dexter
Gordon (Darn That Dream), Carmen McRae (Tip Toe Gently),
and Charlie Mingus (51st Street Blues). For an old school jazz
lover, this CD is a gold mine and the price is right, so what are you
waiting for! (GMC) SALLIE BLAIR: Come By Sunday/ Then I'll Be Tired Of
You/ BETTY BLAKE: Let There Be Love/ Out Of This World/ ART BLAKEY & THE
JAZZ MESSENGERS: Right Down Front/ RUBY BRAFF: This Can't Be Love/ PETE
BROWN: The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise/ CONTE CANDOLI: I Can't Get
Started With You/ They Can't Take That Away From Me/ PAULA CASTLE: Why
Can't I/ CHRIS CONNOR: All This And Heaven Too/ How Long Has This Been
Going On/ JOE DERISE: A Fine Romance/ DUKE ELLINGTON: Ko-Ko/ BUD
FREEMAN: Newport News/ DEXTER GORDON: Autumn In New York/ Darn That
Dream/ GUITAR CRUSHER: I Feel The Pain/ I Once Loved You Baby/ JOHNNY
HARTMAN: September Song/ Stella By Starlight/ JAZZ CITY WORKSHOP: Autumn
Leaves/ J.J. JOHNSON: Mad About The Boy/ LENNY JOHNSON: Walk Ginny Walk/
JULIE LONDON: A Foggy Day/ You're Blasé/ HERBIE MANN: Chicken Little/
Love Is A Simple Thing/ CARMEN MCRAE: If I'm Lucky/ Tip Toe Gently/
CHARLIE MINGUS: 51st Street Blues/ PAT MORAN QUARTET: Lullaby Of The
Leaves/ What A Difference A Day Makes/ AUDREY MORRIS: If You Could See
Me Now/ OSCAR PETTIFORD: Jack The Bear/ Scorpio/ JOHNNY RICHARDS: For
All We Know/ BETTY ROCHé: September In The Rain/ Summertime/ SAL
SALVADOR: I Cover The Waterfront/ I Love You/ You Stepped Out Of A
Dream/ CHARLIE SHAVERS: But Not For Me/ Windy/ NINA SIMONE: Central Park
Blues/ Love Me Or Leave Me/ My Baby Just Cares For Me/ ZOOT SIMS: Doggin
Around/ Jive At Five/ THE SIX: Itchy Fingers/ Shifty/ SOCOLOW: My Heart
Stood Still/ JACK TEAGARDEN: Original Dixieland One Step/ SONNY
THOMPSON: Loco Limbo/ MEL TORMé: Cheek To Cheek/ Let's Call The Whole
Thing Off/ Lulu's Back In Town/ BOBBY TROUP: Jamboree Jones/ That Old
Black Magic/ EDDIE "CLEANHEAD" VINSON: Hold It Right There
3 CDs, 75 tracks, 178 mins, recommended
For better or
worse, George Goldner (the inventor of the $100 handshake) was a giant
in the independent music business of the 1950s and '60s. Gone records
was one of his many labels and the put out records by Ral Donner
(probably their biggest selling artist,) Johnny Rivers, Richard Barrett
& The Chantels, Johnny Jack, etc. I'm not a fan of any of those artists,
but if you are, then there is plenty from them here for you to enjoy.
This big 3 CD set also features great early tracks by The Isley
Brothers, good later tracks from Bill Haley and The Comets, and some of
the best tracks The Dubs ever did, plus the lovely Doo-Wop ballad
King Of Fools by Sam Hawkins. Gone was the first label to release a
single for the Four Seasons under that name, and both of those tracks
are here. Also includes good tracks by The Channels - That's My
Desire and more, The Kokomos, The Uniques, and much more. (JM)
Two CDs, 40 tracks, highly recommended
RPM was a label
formed by The Bihari Brothers in 1950 as a subsidiary of their Modern
label and over a period of seven years issued a slew of great blues
recordings of which this is a small sampling. The label struck gold when
it signed a young B.B. King when after several releases that generated
local sales he topped the R&B charts with the classic Three O'Clock
Blues which is featured here along with three great lesser known
titles. There are lots of other great blues artists here including
Lightnin' Hopkins, "Little Eddie" Kirkland (with John Lee Hooker who
frequently played with Eddie adding interjections), Johnny Wright (the
great The World Is Yours with incredible guitar from Ike
Turner)Howlin' Wolf (some of his very first recordings) "Little George"
Smith, Johnny "Guitar" Watson. All this material has been out on Ace but
it's a nice, low priced sampler, chock full of really great blues. (FS)
SUNNY BLAIR: Five Foot Three Blues/ JUNIOR BROOKS:
Lone Town Blues/ DRIFTING SLIM: Good Morning Baby/ My Sweet Woman/
LOWELL FULSON: Doin' Time Blues/ Some Old Lonesome Day/ ROSCOE GORDON:
City Women/ Cold, Cold Winter/ Dime A Dozen/ Dream Baby/ LIGHTNIN'
HOPKINS: Beggin' You To Stay/ Don't Keep My Baby Long/ Jake Head Boogie/
Lonesome Dog Blues/ HOWLIN' WOLF: Crying At Daybreak/ Morning At
Midnight/ My Baby Stole Off/ Passing By Blues/ B.B. KING: B.B. Blues/ I
Wonder/ Mistreated Woman/ Three O'Clock Blues/ LITTLE EDDIE KIRKLAND:
It's Time For Lovin' To Be Done/ That's All Right/ JIMMY MCCRACKLIN:
Love When It Rains/ Your Heart Ain't Right/ MUMBLES: Jumpin' Blues/
JIMMY NELSON: Baby Child/ Bad Habit Blues/ Fine Little Honey Dripper/
T-99 Blues/ WILLIE NIX: Try Me One More Time/ LITTLE GEORGE SMITH: Blues
In The Dark/ Blues Stay Away/ Telephone Blues/ JOHNNY "GUITAR" WATSON:
Don't Touch Me/ She Moves Me/ Three Hours Past Midnight/ Too Tired/
JOHNNY WRIGHT & IKE TURNER'S ORCHESTRA: The World Is Yours
This Is The Night - The End Records
Story, 1957-1962
● CD $11.98
2 CD, 50 mins, very highly recommended
Started by
legendary promoter George Goldner in 1957, End Records was ground zero
for the girl group sound-thanks to The Bobbettes and The Chantels - and
loomed very large in the doo wop world by playing host to the likes of
The Flamingos, Little Anthony & the Imperials, The Starlighters, The
Dubs, Lewis Lymon & the Teenchords and more. And then there's some early
Miracles tracks that End distributed, after Goldner made a deal with
Berry Gordy, as well as recordings from Little Richard after he
rediscovered the Lord and denounced rock 'n' roll. Sure, the seminal
cuts are here - I Only Have Eyes For You, Tears on My PillowGot
a Job, Teach Me Tonight, Maybe - but they don't tell
the whole story; just listen to The Harmony Grits' Gee, The
Toledos' This is the Night, The Dreamlovers' If I Should Lose
You, Little Anthony's Shimmy Shimmy Ko-Ko-Bop, and The Shell
Brothers' Whispering Winds to realize that the label had quite a
lot going for it than the three or five songs we're told are classics.
End Records time was brief (Goldner sold the label, and its subsidiary
Gone, to music biz hustler Morris Levy in 1962), but while it lasted it
more than held its' own as a home for great and influential music. (GMC)
THE BOBBETTES: Teach Me Tonight/ THE CHANTELS: I Love
You So/ Maybe/ THE CLUSTERS: Pardon My Heart/ THE DEL SATINS: I'll Pray
For You/ THE DELVETS: Repeat After Me/ MALCOLM DODDS & THE TUNEDROPS:
Fools Rush In/ It Took A Long Time/ THE DREAMLOVERS: If I Should Lose
You/ THE DUBS: Now That We Broke Up/ THE FIVE STARS: Baby Baby/ THE
FLAMINGOS: Goodnight Sweetheart/ I Only Have Eyes For You/ Ko Ko Mo/
Yours/ THE FOUR CHEERS: Fatal Charms Of Love/ BIRDIE GREEN: How Come/
THE HARMONY GRITS: Gee/ RONNIE JONES & THE CLASSMATES: Lonely Boy/
Teenage Rock/ LITTLE ANTHONY & THE IMPERIALS: Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop/
Tears On My Pillow/ LITTLE RICHARD: Milky White Way/ Troubles Of The
World/ LEWIS LYMON & THE TEENCHORDS: I Found Out Why/ Too Young/ VINCE
MALOY: Crazy About You/ Hubba Hubba Ding Ding/ THE MIRACLES: Got A Job/
I Cry/ Money/ My Mama Done Told Me/ PETE MORRIS: Walkin' Together/ NICKY
& THE NOBLES: School Day Crush/ Schoolhouse Rock/ ROCKIN' RONALD & THE
REBELS: Kansas City/ THE SHELL BROTHERS: Shoma Dom Dom/ Whispering
Winds/ JOE SHEPARD: What's The Matter Baby/ THE STARLIGHTERS: A Story Of
Love/ Birdland/ I Cried/ You're The One To Blame/ THE SWEETIES: After
You/ THE TEENAGERS: Crying/ THE TOLEDOS: This Is The Night/ THE UNIQUES:
Hey Little Cupid/ Tell The Angels/ THE VELOURS: My Love Come Back/
WILLIE WILSON & THE TUNEMASTERS: I've Lied
28 tracks, 73 min., recommended
A generous various
artist collection which places at least some emphasis on the upbeat and
on the New Orleans sound. Sound quality is solid; there are no liner
notes, and the cover photo is a candid club shot featuring Amos Milburn.
Featured tracks include Independent Woman by Jackie Brenston,
High Blood Pressure by Huey Smith & the Clowns, Darling Dear
by the Counts, Feel So Good by Shirley & Lee, Bloodshot Eyes
by Wynonie Harris, Honkin' at Midnight by Frank Motley,
Witchcraft by the Spiders, Crazy Feeling by Etta James,
Deacon Moves In by Little Ester & the Dominoes, Kansas City
by Little Willie Littlefield, and, of course, the title track by Amos
Milburn. Splendid music with a let's-have-a-party feel. (DH) ANGEL FACE: I Got A Man/ ARCHIBALD: Stack-o-lee/ THE
BARONS: Searchin' For You/ BOBBY & RONALD: You're Mine Oh Mine/ CALVIN
BOSE: Saffronia B/ TINY BRADSHAW: Train Kept-a-rolling/ JACKIE BRENSTON:
Independent Woman/ THE CHARMS: Bye Bye Baby/ THE COUNTS: Darling Near/
VARETTA DILLARD: So Many Ways/ CHAMPION JACK DUPREE: Two Below Zero/
DONNIE ELBERT: What Can I Do/ ROSCO GORDON: Baby, Let's Get High/
WYNONIE HARRIS: Bloodshot Eyes/ THE HAWKS: I-yi/ CLARENCE "FROGMAN"
HENRY: Ain't Got No Home/ ETTA JAMES: Crazy Feeling/ SAMMY LEWIS: So
Long, Baby Goodbye/ SMILEY LEWIS: Down Yonder We Go Balling/ LITTLE
ESTHER & THE DOMINOES: The Deacon Moves In/ LITTLE WILLIE LITTLEFIELD:
Kansas City/ AMOS MILBURN: Chicken Shack Boogie/ FRANK MOTLEY: Honkin'
At Midnight/ BIG WALTER PRICE: Pack, Fair & Sqaure/ SHIRLEY & LEE: Feel
So Good/ FRANKIE LEE SIMS: What Will Lucy Do?/ HUEY "PIANO" SMITH & THE
CLOWNS: High Blood Pressure1/ THE SPIDERS: Witchcraft
24 tracks, 65 mins, recommended
Collection of rare black
gospel recordings ranging from the early 50s to early 60 - most making
their first appearance on CD. Among the artists featured here are The
Cross JOrdan Singers, The Gospel Keys, The Ever-Ready Singers (a
particularly fine quartet), The Gospel Ambassadors, The Joy Harmonizers,
The Trenton (Silvertone) Singers, Edna Gallmon Cooke, The Golden Voice
Team, The Progressivaires and others. Fine sound and full discographical
information in booklet. (FS) THE ALAMOGORDO SPIRITUAL AIRES: What A Morning/ EDNA
GALLMON COOKE: I've Got Religion/ CROSS JORDAN SINGERS: Precious Lord/
Sinner Man's Prayer/ THE DREXALL SINGERS: Jesus Said/ THE EVER-READY
SINGERS: One Day When I Was Walking/ Two Wings/ THE GOLDEN VOICE TEAM:
Go Ahead/ GOSPEL AMBASSADORS: I Am A Witness/ Jesus I Love You/ THE
GOSPEL CHALLENGERS: I Know He's Coming Again The/ Must Jesus Bear The
Cross Alone/ THE GOSPEL KEYS: How About You/ I Never Heard A Man/ THE
GOSPEL STARS: Lord, Shelter Me/ When God Made Man/ THE GOSPEL WONDERS: I
Want To Live, Live, Live/ JOY HARMONIZERS: Early In The Morning/ THE JOY
RITE SINGERS: What About You/ THE PROGRESSIVEAIRES WITH FRANK MOTLEY &
HIS: My Journey's End/ THE ROSETTES: Somewhere/ ROYAL TRAVELERS:
Drinkin' My Tears For Water/ (LITTLE) LUCY SMITH SINGERS: Everytime I
Feel The Spirit/ THE TRENTON (SILVERTONE) SINGERS: Take Me Jesus
Another 24 obscure sides from the 50s and early 60s new
to CD - The Gospel Wonders, Joy Rite Singers, Ever-Ready Singers, Royal
Travelers, Alamagordo Spiritual Aires, Truetone Gospel Singers, Booker
Gospel Singers, Bells Of Harmony and more. ALAMOGORDO SPIRITUAL AIRES: Nobody Knows/ BALTIMORE
ECHOES: I'm Going To Look For You/ Save Me/ THE BELLS OF HARMONY FROM
LITTLE WASHINGTON,: Another Day Journey And I'm So Glad/ BOOKER GOSPEL
SINGERS: Get Away Sinner/ EDNA GALLMON COOKE: Come By Here/ DREXALL
SINGERS: The Answer/ DYNAMIC GAYLARKS: Child Do Love Jesus/ EVER-READY
SINGERS: I Don't Care What The World May Do/ O Mary, Don't You Weep/
GATEWAY QUARTET: I'll Shake Mother's Hand/ GOSPEL STARLETS: Lead Me To
The Rock/ GOSPEL WONDERS: He's My All & All/ THE GOSPEL WONDERS: I'm On
My Way/ THE JOY HARMONIZERS: My Heavenly Home/ JOY RITE SINGERS: You
Better Mind/ JULIA PETERSON SINGERS OF BKLYN., N.Y.: Give An Account/
ROSETTES: When It's Time For Me To Go/ I'll Be Satisfied/ ROYAL
TRAVELERS: Yes It's Me, Lord, That Came To Thee/ SILVER HARPS: By And
By/ (LITTLE) LUCY SMITH SINGERS: Somebody Bigger Than You And I/ THE
TRENTON (SILVERTONE) SINGERS: In Secret Prayer/ TRUETONE GOSPEL SINGERS:
Closer To The Lord
24 tracks, good
A collection of pop flavored western
songs by pleasant voiced singer Williams who prior to his recording
debut had been a big band singer - and it shows. He is mostly
accompanied by a small band with accordion and trumpet. Several of the
songs are originals by Williams. The music is competently performed but
colorless. (FS) BILLY WILLIAMS: Big Rock Candy Mountain Trail Home On
The Range/ Got A Dolly Down In Dallas/ Heartbreak Trial/ I'll Ride
Across The Purple Sage/ I've Got A Gal In Laramie/ I've Just Got To Be A
Cowboy/ If You Ever Had A Broken Heart/ Just A Few Little Miles From
Home/ Livin' In Western Style/ Lonely Corrral Old Pard'ner/ Mary Marry
Me/ My Abode Hacienda/ Old Susanna/ Out Where The Sin Says Goodnight/
Roundup Time For Love/ That Tumbled Down Shack (In The Valley)/ There's
An Echo In The Canyon Tonight/ Till The End Of The World/ Two
Silhouettes Of The Prairie/ Who Shot The Hole In My Sombrero/
Yesterday's Kisses/ Yipee Ki Aye/ You Are My Sunshine/ You Can Bet Your
Boots And Saddles