Gone All Stars (featuring Buddy Lucas) - Dancin': Bandstand EP … plus 7 - 11

Now here’s a real rarity from Joan – the Gone All Stars on an EP and their 1958 hit single “7 – 11” b/w “Down Yonder Rock”.

The Gone All Stars were the studio band fronted by tenor sax player Buddy Lucas which gradually replaced Jimmy Wright as the backing musicians on many recording sessions for the George Goldner group of labels, including sides by artists such as The Dubs, The Imperials and The Chantels. Buddy Lucas recorded a series of singles for Jubilee around 1951, as well as acting as studio bandleader, before moving to RCA Victor for a year where he had releases on both RCA and its subsidiary Groove. In 1955 Buddy moved to Savoy where he provided studio backing for big name artists like Larry Darnell, Big Maybelle, Annie Laurie and Hal Singer.

These tracks are ripped from original 1950s vinyl, so there is some surface noise. But, as we all say, that IS rock’n’roll! Anyway where else are you going to hear these tracks? Thanks again Joan!

Ripped at 192 kbps (converted from m4a format).

Download from here:

http://www21.zippyshare.com/v/jlEci1jP/file.html

1. 7 - 11
2. Down Yonder Rock
3. Hoppin' Bop
4. Gone Stroll
5. Gee Gee Walk
6. Charlypso End

Elmore James - I Need You

Thanks to Joan for this item from her collection – an Elmore James compilation on the Sphere Sound label.

Founded in 1965, Sphere Sound was a subsidiary of Bell records. It leased tracks from New York labels such as Fire/Fury and Herald/Ember for re-release on singles and LPs. These Elmore James tracks were leased from the Bobby Robinson labels for which James had recorded between 1959 and 1963. This LP was released in 1966, although some of the tracks were previously released on 45 rpm Sphere Sound singles in 1965.

As can be seen from the details of first release in the track list, many of these tracks were being released for the first time on this album. All tracks were recorded between 1959 and 1961 with the exception of “Make My Dreams Come True” which had been recorded in 1953 for Flair but was re-released by Bobby Robinson on his Fire label in 1960.

There are some label scans accompanying the tracks, including a re-release on Enjoy of Fire 504.

Ripped at bit rates between 224 and 320 kbps. Password = greaseyspoon

Download from:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OHPT56H4

OR

http://rapidshare.com/files/118368021/Elmore_James_I_Need_You.rar

1. Make My Dreams Come True (Flair 1031, 1954; Fire 1011, 1960)
2. Got To Move (NYC 1961, this LP)
3. I Need You Baby (NYC 1960, this LP and Sphere Sound 708)
4. Something Inside Me (NYC 1960, this LP and Sphere Sound 713)
5. Look On Yonder Wall (New Orleans 1961, Fire 504, 1962)
6. Shake Your Money Maker (New Orleans 1961, Fire 504, 1962)
7. Strange Angels (NYC 1960, this LP )
8. Early One Morning (NYC 1960, this LP)
9. She Done Moved (Instr.) (NYC 1960, this LP and Sphere Sound 713)
10. Baby Please Set A Date (NYC 1959, this LP)

Bobby Day - Rockin' With Robin

A Joan K post in response to an appeal in the comments section!

Bobby Day was a founder member of vocal group The Hollywood Flames which was formed in 1949. They spent most of the 1950s jumping from label to label until they had recorded for just about everyone on the West Coast, and also went through a bewildering series of personnel changes.

In late 1957 The Flames had a smash hit on Ebb with “Buzz Buzz Buzz” and just as that record was entering the charts they recorded “Little Bitty Pretty One” (written by Bobby Day) as Bobby Day and The Satellites for Leon Rene’s Class records. Unfortunately for Bobby the record was quickly covered by The Lamplighters (doing business as Thurston Harris and The Sharps) on Aladdin and it was their version which had the pop and R&B success while Bobby Day’s original failed to chart. It’s a cutthroat business, and if you ain’t first you’re last.

Class persevered with Bobby and were rewarded when he had a massive pop and R&B hit with “Rockin’ Robin”. There is a God after all.

Bobby went on to become one half of Bob & Earl on the hit “Gee Whiz”, but had been replaced by another Bobby (Relf) by the time “Harlem Shuffle” came along.

This LP was issued in 1958. It’s a mix of R&B, rock and roll, and slightly cloying pop as Class sought to keep Bobby in the charts. The sound quality on these tracks is good, except for track 4 which has loads of clicking and popping . Joan once again provides us not only with sounds but also label scans.

Ripped at 160 kbps (except track 4: converted from m4a). Password = greaseyspoon

Download from here

http://rapidshare.com/files/117822280/Rockin__With_Robin.rar

1. Rockin' Robin
2. Darling If I Had You
3. Sweet Little Thing
4. Saving My Life For You
5. Little Turtle Dove
6. Over And Over
7. Little Bitty Pretty One
8. Come Seven
9. Honeysuckle Baby
10. When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano
11. Beep Beep Beep
12. So Long Baby

And now for a selection from the folder of Joan’s label scans:

Lost Dreams: The New Orleans Vocal Groups

Lew Chudd’s Los Angeles based indy label Imperial had a strong presence in New Orleans from 1949 onwards when Dave Bartholomew became local A&R man and artists such as Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis and Sugarboy Crawford were signed.

This 1987 EMI vinyl album gathers sides recorded by New Orleans vocal groups for Imperial mostly between 1952 and 1956. There’s some fine rockin’ rhythm ‘n’ blues here so grab these swingin’ sounds!

I posted this LP on Rockhall many months ago but I’ve re-upped it with a new back cover scan plus label scans of vintage Imperial 45s by Joan K. Thanks again Joan.

Ripped from vinyl at 320 kbps. Password = greaseyspoon

Download from here:

http://rapidshare.com/files/117335087/Lost_Dreams_The_New_Orleans_Vocal_Groups.rar

Extra link for rapidshare haters:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VMKAOBNK

1. Drunk Drunk Drunk / The Kidds
2. Why Fool Yourself / Bernie Williams
3. Bluesy Me / Dave Collins & The Scrubs
4. Lost Dreams / The Dukes
5. Sunny Side Of The Street / The Bees
6. Eternally Yours / The Barons
7. Cotton Picking Hands / The Dukes
8. Later, Baby / Fat Man Matthews & The Four Kittens
9. Boom Boom / The Barons
10. Teardrop Eyes / The Dukes
11. Ain't Gonna Do It / The Pelicans
12. Shake The Dice / The Barons
13. Darling, Please / The Bees
14. Last Ride / The Dukes

The Midnighters - Their Greatest Hits

This the third of the albums that Joan sent recently. A 1956 Federal compilation of Midnighters tracks, including some early stuff recorded when they were The Royals. This is definitely not the sweet, romantic doowop of the last few posts. Sleazy lee-rics, shrieking sax breaks and clanging electric guitar are on offer. Vintage bebopwino music!

These sides were ripped from original 45rpm singles and consequently there is rather a lot of surface noise present. But we don’t mind, do we? Originally ripped by Joan to m4a format, subsequently converted to mp3, so there are 2 download links to let you opt for the format of your choice. As ever, Joan has supplied label shots of the original discs. Thanks again Joan!

Download m4a version from here:

http://rapidshare.com/files/117223249/Midnighters_Their_Greatest_Hits_m4a.rar

Download mp3 version from here:

http://rapidshare.com/files/117220737/Midnighters_Their_Greatest_Hits.rar

Password on both versions is greaseyspoon.

1. Work With Me Annie
2. Moonrise
3. Sexy Ways
4. Get It
5. Switchie Witchie
6. It's Love Baby (24 Hours A Day)
7. Annie Had A Baby
8. She's The One
9. Annie's Aunt Fannie
10. Crazy Lovin' (Stay With Me)
11. Henry's Got Flat Feet
12. Tore Up Over You

The Dubs Meet The Shells

Thanks once more to Joan K for this post of a 1962 Josie album, plus additional label shots. Romantic dreamy doowop and an oh-so-cool cover. What more could you want?

Ripped from vinyl at 128 kbps. Password = greaseyspoon

Download from here:

http://rapidshare.com/files/117072243/The_Dubs_Meet_The_Shells.rar

1. Could This Be Magic / The Dubs
2. Wisdom Of A Fool / The Dubs
3. Don't Ask Me To Be Lonely / The Dubs
4. Blue Velvet / The Dubs
5. Your Very First Love / The Dubs
6. This I Swear / The Dubs
7. Baby Oh Baby / The Shells
8. Our Wedding Day / The Shells
9. What's In An Angels Eyes / The Shells
10. Baby, Walk On In / The Shells
11. Sweetest One / The Shells
12. Deep In My Heart / The Shells

Stay With Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs

Joan K has sent some vinyl rips from vintage 1950s/60s LPs, along with artwork, of course!

First up is this 1961 Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs compilation released on Herald. Great greasy doowop and most get-downable! Thanks Joan.

Ripped at 128 kbps. Password = greaseyspoon

Download from here:

http://rapidshare.com/files/116814544/Stay_with_Maurice_Williams_and_the_Zodiacs.rar

1. Stay
2. I Remember
3. Running Around
4. We're Lovers
5. But Not For Me
6. So Fine
7. Always
8. The Nearness Of You
9. The Winds
10. Little Mama
11. Do You Believe
12. Come Along
13. I Love You Baby
14. I Got a Woman

Bill Haley - Crazy Man Crazy

Joan K has sent a fine collection of m4a files ripped from original 1950s Bill Haley singles and EPs. I’ve converted them to mp3 and both versions are available to download.

Accompanying the sound files is a fantastic collection of label shots and LP and EP cover scans. There are so many scans that on this post I’ll display Bill Haley’s pre-Decca sides from 1951 – 1954. In the next post I will display the label scans for his Decca sides.

Although the visuals displayed on this post are pre-Decca, the sound files and accompanying artwork folder includes Joan’s complete collection. I’ll dig out some more sounds in order to display the Decca label shots in the next post!

In 1951 Bill Haley and the Saddlemen started recording for the Philadelphia-based label Holiday, owned by local businessman Dave Miller. In July 1951 they released a cover version of Jackie Brenston’s R&B hit “Rocket 88”. Further releases on Holiday included uptempo country numbers “Green Tree Boogie” and “Juke Box Cannonball”. In the spring of 1952 Bill and the Saddlemen moved to Dave Miller’s main label Essex and released further singles which mixed country sides with a rapidly developing rock and roll sound. The first Essex single had a Hank Williams rip off as the A side (“Icy Heart”) but the B side was a cover of Jimmy Preston’s wild R&B hit “Rock The Joint”. For their second release on Essex (“Dance With A Dolly” / “Rockin’ Chair On The Moon”) Bill and the boys were now billed as Bill Haley and Haley’s Comets.

Through 1952 – 1953 Bill Haley’s sound developed into fully fledged rock and roll, finally reaching the national top 20 with “Crazy Man Crazy” released in April 1953. Other fine rockers (mostly written by Bill) included “Fractured”, “Live It Up”, “Whatcha Gonna Do” and “Pat-A-Cake”. The prominent steel guitar on some numbers pointed to the country origins of the band but other sides featured a tenor saxophone.

Download the m4a version here:

http://rapidshare.com/files/116115243/Crazy__Man__Crazy_m4a.rar

Download the mp3 version here:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5GPOQUK6

Password for both = greaseyspoon

1. Real Rock Drive
2. Yes Indeed
3. Rock The Joint
4. Icy Heart
5. Dance With a Dolly (With A Hole In Her Stockin')
6. Rockin' Chair On The Moon
7. Pat-A-Cake
8. Crazy Man, Crazy
9. What'Cha Gonna Do
10. Farewell, So Long, Goodbye
11. Fractured
12. Live It Up
13. Juke Box Cannonball
14. Stop Beatin' Round The Mulberry Bush
15. I'll Be True
16. Chatanooga Choo Choo
17. Green Tree Boogie
18. A Sweet Bunch Of Roses *
19. Rocket 88
20. I'm Lonesome *
21. Sundown Boogie
22. Ten Little Indians
23. (We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock
24. Thirteen Women (And Only One Man In Town)
25. Shake, Rattle And Roll
26. A.B.C. Boogie
27. See You Later, Alligator
28. Rock-A-Beatin' Boogie
29. R-O-C-K
30. Don't Knock The Rock
31. Dim, Dim The Lights
32. Birth Of The Boogie
33. Choo Choo Ch'Boogie

* = Lou Graham and the Saddlemen (see comments section)

Of particular interest are 4 EPs released on Essex in 1954, probably to cash in on Bill’s rapid rise to stardom on Decca.