Joan Selects, Volume 19 - Joan Gets Silly

And now the end is near … Joan regales us with 31 tracks of rock and roll weirdness ranging from our rousingly raucous blog theme tune, “Bebop Wino," to an incredible demolition of “Unchained Melody.” Food, nonsense lyrics, cod exotica, clothes, and the good lord alone knows what else are thrown into the mix in the frantic quest for that potential motherlode, the novelty hit. Pin back your ears and switch your brains into neutral as Joan takes us on a tour of trash. Over to you, Joanie!

As the Joan Selects series nears the grand finale, Volume 19 takes a light and frivolous look at the world of music in the1950's with some of the fun songs that were issued. Leading off is “Purple Stew”, a record credited in bold type to Thurston Harris, but in actuality, Rufus Hunter and the Masters, released on Los Angeles's Aladdin label. “Unchained Melody” by Vito and the Salutations, is an up-tempo doowop send up of one of those recurring syrupy 1950's ballads. It truthfully never sounded better. It was featured in the film "Goodfellas".

Mr. Rhythm, Andre Williams, from Detroit Michigan, contributes to Joan Selects Volume 19, with a nonsensical monologue, "Pass The Biscuits, Please" for the Fortune label. The Chips "Rubber Biscuit" often imitated, was one of those vocal workout songs that groups could show off in sing-offs. There's another later in this volume "Shombalor" by Sherrif and the Revels. An interesting aspect of the Marquees’ "Hey Little Schoolgirl" is that the session (both sides) was directed by one Ellas McDaniels, better known as Bo Diddley.

Some say that “Silly Dilly” by the Pentagons, is the worst doowop record ever recorded. I like it and therefore am including it here for your judgment. Little Anthony and the Imperials "Shimmy Shimmy Ko-Ko-Bop" is very typical of the amazing vocal range of lead singer "Little Anthony" Gourdine. Richard Berry's original version of “Louie Louie” is the fountainhead from which all versions of this song derive. I still like his the best. Berry recorded this for Los Angeles's Flip Label.

A couple of songs here in Joan Selects, Volume 19 feature the song within a song device: “Dedicated (To the Songs I Love)” by the Three Friends and Nino and the Ebbtides: "Jukebox Saturday Night" - I have also included the Belmonts’ fabulous tribute to doowop music called "Street Corner Symphony".

The Spaniels sort of combined adages into a doowop song, in their "Play It Cool", using advertising of wines/cigarettes, etc. to make a funny medley. Other nonsensical subject matters are dealt with on this compilation: myth and lore in both “Rip Van Winkle” by The Devotions and in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by the Monotones, “Western Movies” - the Olympics, and of course the Cello's “Be Bop Mouse”. Joan hasn't totally lost it in this set of selections, just having some fun with some light and meaningless 1950's nonsense. What's your favorite?
Thanks again Joan for this unforgettable mix!

Ripped from vinyl except for one very scratched record which had to be replaced quickly from a bootleg CD. Can you spot which track? And thanks to Joan not only for these sounds but also for the folder of 27 label shots.

Download from here:

Joan Selects Volume 19

01 Rufus Hunter and the Masters - Purple Stew - Aladdin 45-3440
02 The Halos - Nag - 7 Arts S 709
03 Vito and the Salutations - Unchained Melody - Herald H-583
04 Andre Williams - Pass The Biscuits Please - Fortune 839X
05 The Lamplighters - Be Bop Wino - Federal 45-12152
06 The Chips - Rubber Biscuit - Josie 45-803
07 The Marcels - Friendly Loans - Colpix CP 651
08 The Marquees - Hey Little School Girl - Okeh 4-7096
09 The Pentagons - Silly Dilly - Specialty 644
10 The Imperials - Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop - End 1060
11 Richard Berry and the Pharoes - Louie, Louie - Flip 45-321
12 The Chalets - Fat - Fat - Fat! Mom - Mi - O - True-Lite 1001
13 The Chandeliers - Dancing In The Congo - Angle Tone 529-3
14 The Monotones - The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow - Argo 5321
15 The Spaniels - Play It Cool - Vee Jay VJ-1116
16 The Stereos - I Really Love You - Cub K9095
17 The Fascinators - Fried Chicken & Macaroni - Capitol 45-CL-15062
18 The Three Friends - Dedicated (To The Songs I Love) - Imperial X5763
19 The Cellos - The Be-Bop Mouse - Apollo 516-45
20 The Belmonts – Street Corner Symphony
21 Sheriff and the Revels - Shomblor - Vee Jay VJ 306
22 Rick and The Keens - Peanuts - Le Cam 721
23 12 Year Old Richard Lanham - On Your Radio - Acme 45-A-712
24 The Devotions - Rip Van Winkle - Roulette R-4541
25 Nino and The Ebb Tides - Jukebox Saturday Night - Madison M166
26 The Olympics - Western Movies - Demon FF-1508
27 The Delroys - Bermuda Shorts - Apollo 514
28 The Dandeliers - Chop Chop Boom - States 147
29 The Savoys - Yacka Hoom Boom - Combo 75
30 The Capris - Morse Code Of Love - Ambient Sound 02697
31 The Visuals - The Submarine Race - Popular #115