Dave Bartholomew - Shrimp And Gumbo

Side 1:
01) Snatchin' Back
02) No More Black Nights
03) Stardust
04) You Got A Time
05) That'll Get It
06) Love Is So Low Down
07) Texas Hop
08) The Ice Man

Side 2:
01) Cat Music
02) Every Night, Every Day
03) An Old Cow Hand From A Blues Band
04) Shrimp And Gumbo
05) Ivy League
06) Love No More
07) Somebody New
08) Honky Tonk Trumpet

Shrimp And Gumbo (Mega)

Shrimp And Gumbo (Zippy)

The third and final Pathe Marconi collection of Dave Bartholomew's Imperial sides. There may be a couple of weaker tracks but there are some real finger poppers which demand attention, especially "The Ice Man" and "An Old Cow Hand From A Blues Band" which had me bopping round the room yesterday. "Texas Hop" is nothing like the Pee Wee Crayton classic but is nevertheless a fine instrumental outing for a lineup which includes Fats Domino.

There are informative sleeve notes by Jeff Hannusch and a discography by Kurt Mohr and Gilles Petard, so no need for me to add anything!

I found this little insert inside the sleeve (in fact two of them), and how I wish I had bought more of these releases back then -

Keep a knockin' and keep a rockin'!

Dave Bartholomew - The Monkey

Side 1:
01) That's How You Got Killed Before
02) When The Saints Go Marching In Boogie
03) Another Mule
04) Shout, Sister, Shout
05) I Want To Be With Her
06) Would You
07) Turn Your Lamps Down Low

Side 2:
01) Lovin' You
02) Three Time Loser
03) The Monkey
04) In The Evening
05) Barrel House
06) Cinderella
07) Hard Times (The Slop)

The Monkey (Mega)

The Monkey (Zippy)

Second of the three Dave Bartholomew LPs issued by Pathe Marconi in the 1980s. The title track is an absolute classic, while the version of  Noble Watts' "Hard Times(The Slop)" is a a cracker. Full notes by John Broven on the back cover along with a discography by Kurt Mohr. Happy listening, lockdown downloaders.

Dave Bartholomew - Jump Children

Side 1:
01) Country Gal
02) Carnival Day
03) Ain't Gonna Do It
04) Country Boy Goes Home
05) Oh Cubanas
06) Who Drank My Beer While I Was In The Rear
07) Little Girl Sing Ding A Ling

Side 2:
01) Jump Children
02) The Shufflin' Fox
03) How Could You
04) Can't Take It No More
05) Good News
06) Yeah Yeah
07) People Are Talkin'

Jump Children (Mega)

Jump Children (Zippy)

During the 1980s Pathe Marconi issued 3 collections of Imperial sides by Dave Bartholomew. I think they have appeared on other blogs over the years, but heck, here come my rips and scans! Bartholomew was of course a pivotal figure in New Orleans R&B as trumpeter, bandleader, song writer, producer and arranger. His work on Fats Domino's hits (writing many, producing, leading the backing band) overshadows his own recordings, which is  unfortunate to say the least.

In addition to collaborating with Fats he worked with just about anybody who was anybody in New Orleans R&B, Smiley Lewis, Shirley And Lee, The Spiders, Tommy Ridgely, Chris Kenner, Lloyd Price among others. His band was another Who's Who of New Orleans R&B, boasting musicians such as Earl Palmer, Herb Hardesty, Lee Allen, Frank Fields and Charles "Hungry" Williams.

Bartholomew spent most of his recording career with Imperial except for a brief period in the early 1950s when he left following a dispute with owner Lew Chudd. During this period he recorded "My Ding-A-Ling" which was of course later revived by Chuck Berry with worldwide success. An unreleased version recorded for Imperial when Bartholomew returned to the label is included here.

Although none of the sides in this collection were chart breakers, there's plenty of good stuff including the classic "Who Drank My Beer While I Was In The Rear" and "Ain't Gonna Do It" which was recorded by Smiley Lewis in an absolutely storming version.

The biographical sleeve notes by John Broven are a must read and full recording and discographic information is on the back cover.

Alvin "Red" Tyler And The Gyros - Rockin' & Rollin'

Side One:
01. Classy Lassie
02. Hey Hey Baby Come Home - Albert Scott
03. Double Whammy
04. Can't Let You Go I Love You So - Albert Scott
05. Tonking
06. Lonely For You
07. Happy Sax

Side Two:
01. Snake Eyes
02. Dippy
03. Doing The Rock And Roll - Calvin Spears
04. Peanut Vendor
05. Drag Race
06. Long Ride
07. Walk On

Alvin "Red" Tyler (Mega)

 Alvin "Red" Tyler (Zippy)

If you've been paying attention during our recent New Orleans series of posts AND if you've therefore been reading the "Fax On The Trax" sections in each post, you'll have noticed one name that turns up on many recordings, that of Alvin "Red" Tyler who featured as baritone saxophonist (and occasionally tenor saxman) on sides by (among others) Little Richard and Fats Domino.

So in late 1959 / early 1960 Johnny Vincent, head of Ace Records asked Alvin to record an instrumental LP which was released as Ace 1006 with the title "Rockin' And Rollin' With Red Tyler And The Gyros." This UK Ace issue is substantially the same album, with one track being omitted, "Junk Village." However three vocal recordings featuring Alvin as backing musician were added - two sides by Albert Scott and one by Calvin Spears.

In 1962 "Rockin' and Rollin'" was reissued on Ace 1021 as a twist album - "Twistin' With Mr. Sax." The cover was almost identical as were the tracks, all of which had been renamed by having the word "twist" added to their original titles. Gotta love that unashamed exploitation.

So let's dig a little deeper. Firstly, the vocal tracks. Albert Scott was a singer / guitarist who had two singles issued on Johnny Vincent labels. "I'm So Glad You're Mine" / "I Feel So Good" was issued on Ace 533 in August 1957. Neither of these sides had Red Tyler, but of more interest to us is Vin 1005 "Hey Hey Baby Come Home" / "Can't Let You Go I Love You So" which was issued in 1958 and which provides the Albert Scott sides on this collection. Personnel on the tracks - Albert Scott (vocal, guitar) with Lee Allen and Alvin "Red" Tyler (saxes); probably James Booker (piano); Roland Cook (bass); Charles Smith (drums).

Calvin Spears had one release on Vin - Vin 1020 "Doing The Rock and Roll" / "Come On Home" released in December 1959. Personnel: Calvin Spears (vocal) with Melvin Lastie (trumpet); Lee Allen (tenor sax); Alvin "Red" Tyler (baritone sax); James Booker (piano); Roy Montrell (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); June Gardner (drums).

The Alvin "Red" Tyler tracks. In February 1959 "Snake Eyes" / "Walk On" was issued on Ace 556, credited to Alvin "Red" Tyler. Possible personnel - Lee Allen (tenor sax); Alvin "Red" Tyler (tenor sax, baritone sax); Allen Toussaint (piano); "Mac" Rebennack (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); Charles "Hungry" Williams (drums). Probably recorded in late 1958.

In December 1959 "Happy Sax" / "Junk Village" was released on Ace 576, credited to Red Tyler And The Gyros. Recorded on August 10th, 1959 in New Orleans. Probable personnel - Melvin Lastie (trumpet); Alvin "Red" Tyler and Lee Allen (tenor and baritone saxes); James "Little" Booker (piano, organ); Roy Montrell (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); Albert "June" Gardner (drums). It is possible that Allen Toussaint is the pianist on both tracks and that James Booker played organ on "Junk Village."

Some time in late 1959 or early 1960 Alvin Tyler recorded the remaining tracks on this LP (and also on the original Ace 1006 issue). In an interview with Jeff Hanusch for the Westside CD "Simply 'Red'" he said that the musicians on these tracks (which were probably recorded in one, or two sessions at the most) were as follows - Alvin "Red" Tyler (tenor, baritone sax); Justin Adams (guitar); Allen Toussaint (piano); Frank Fields (bass); June Gardner (drums). Tracks recorded - Tonking, Classy Lassie, Lonely For You, Double Whammy, Dippy, Drag Race, Long Ride, Peanut Vendor, and the unreleased "Hey Mama."

The album was mostly a bit of a knock off and sometimes has that feel, but it does kind of grow on you. "Peanut Vendor" is especially good.

Original tracklist for Ace 1006 was -

Side 1:

1. Junk Village

2. Tonking

3. Classy Lassie

4. Lonely For You

5. Double Whammy

6. Snake Eyes

Side 2:

1. Happy Sax

2. Dippy

3. Drag Race

4. Long Ride

5. Peanut Vendor

6. Walk On

Included in the download is a folder of "Easter Eggs" which may be of some assistance to those who like to reconstitute original 1950s / 1960s LPs!

CD to look out for - Westside WESM 529 - "Simply Red." This has all the tracks from the original LP plus a few alternates. Issued shortly after Alvin passed away, so his interview with Jeff Hannusch is of special interest.

John Broven's sleevenotes on the LP (from an earlier interview with Alvin) are also very interesting.

The Fats Domino Story Volume 2 - Ain't That A Shame

Side 1:
01. Please Don't Leave Me
02. You Said You Love Me
03. Don't Leave Me This Way
04. Fat's Frenzy
05. Goin' Back Home
06. '44'
07. If You Need Me
08. Where Did You Stay?

Side 2:
01. Don't You Hear Me Calling You
02. Love Me
03. Little Mama
04. Don't You Know
05. I Know
06. All By Myself
07. La La
08. Ain't It A Shame

The Fats Domino Story Volume 2 (Mega)

The Fats Domino Story Volume 2 (Zippy)

I bought this one a few years ago in a second hand record shop (now deceased) in Shawlands in the South Side of Glasgow, not far from Be Bop Wino HQ. In fact I picked up three volumes of the Fats Domino story - 2, 3 and 4, covering the years 1953 - 1958. Sorry, folks, no volume 1, so no "Fat Man" and the very early R&B hits.

Volume 2 finds Fats on the cusp of becoming a Rock 'n' Roll superstar. The final track, which was originally titled "Ain't It A Shame" was covered by Pat Boone whose version (titled "Ain't That A Shame") reached number one in the Billboard Hot Hundred. Fats' original version reached number ten in the same chart and number one in the R&B chart, becoming the second biggest R&B seller of 1955, behind "Only You" by The Platters.

As you can see from the cover scan, this LP was probably a record library disc. The record itself was in reasonable shape so it scrubs up fairly well in its digitised form. The tracks are a selection from Fats' output on Imperial from mid-1953 to mid-1955, beginning with one of the great rockers, "Please Don't Leave Me." As usual, you can find full details of the tracks below.

Fax On The Trax

Some sources list Cosimo Matassa's J & M Studio in New Orleans as the recording location of all the sides on this compilation, but Rick Coleman, author of "Blue Monday: Fats Domino and the Lost Dawn of Rock 'n' Roll" and annotator of the Ace 5 CD collection of Fats Domino's Imperial singles 1950 - 1965, is certain that the "Please Don't Leave Me" and "Ain't It A Shame" sessions were recorded in Los Angeles while Fats and his band were on tour, "Please Don't Leave Me" being recorded at Radio Recorders and "Ain't It A Shame" being recorded at Master Recorders. There is also uncertainty regarding who exactly played on some of the sessions, so what follows below should be regarded as an approximation.

Please Don't Leave Me and You Said You Love Me recorded on the 18th April, 1953. Personnel: Fats Domino (vocal, piano) with - Wendell Duconge, Robert "Buddy" Hagans, Herb Hardesty (saxes); Walter Nelson (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); Cornelius Coleman (drums).

Please Don't Leave Me / The Girl I Love - released on Imperial 5240 in June 1953. Number 3 R&B.

Rose Mary / You Said You Love Me - released on Imperial 5251 in September 1953. Number 10 R&B.

Don't Leave Me This Way and Fat's Frenzy recorded on the 2nd September, 1953. Personnel as for 18th April 1953 session.

Something's Wrong / Don't Leave Me This Way - released on Imperial 5262 in November 1953. Number 6 R&B.

Fat's Frenzy - released on EP IMP-143 "Fats Domino Rock And Rollin' Vol. 3" in August 1956. Also on Imperial LP 9009 "Fats Domino Rock And Rollin'" in August 1956.

Goin' Back Home and "44" recorded on September 19th, 1953. Personnel as for 2nd September session, although Lee Allen possibly replaces Herb Hardesty.

"44" - released on Imperial LP 9055 "The Fabulous Mr D" in 1958.

Goin' Back Home - released on Imperial LP 9227 "Walking To New Orleans" in January 1963.

If You Need Me recorded on the 27th October, 1953. Personnel - same as previous session.

If You Need Me - released on EP IMP-143 "Fats Domino Rock And Rollin' Vol. 3" in August 1956. Also on Imperial LP 9009 "Fats Domino Rock And Rollin'" in August 1956.

Where Did You Stay recorded on the 14th March, 1954. Personnel - Fats Domino (vocal, piano) with Dave Bartholomew (trumpet); Lee Allen and Herb Hardesty (saxes); Walter Nelson (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); Cornelius Coleman (drums).

Where Did You Stay / Baby Please - released on Imperial 5283 in May 1954.

Little Mama and I Know recorded on the 10th July, 1954. Personnel - similar to previous session but Wendel Duconge and Buddy Hagans replace Lee Allen and Herb Hardesty on saxes.

Thinking Of You / I Know - released on Imperial 5323 in December 1954, Number 14 R&B.

Little Mama - released on Imperial LP 9227 "Walking To New Orleans" in January 1963.

Love Me and Don't You Hear Me Calling You recorded on the 13th August 1954. Personnel as in previous session but Lee Allen and Herb Hardesty replace Wendel Duconge and Buddy Hagans on saxes.

Love Me / Don't You Hear Me Calling You - released on Imperial 5313 in October 1954.

Don't You Know recorded on the 27th January, 1955. Personnel as on 13th August session.

Don't You Know /Helping Hand - released on Imperial 5340 in February 1955. Number 7 R&B.


All By Myself and Ain't It A Shame recorded on the 15th March, 1955. Personnel: similar to above.

La-La recorded on the 30th March, 1955. Personnel probably similar to above.

Ain't It A Shame / La-La - released on Imperial 5348 in April 1955. Number 1 R&B. Number 10 in Billboard Hot 100.

All By Myself / Troubles Of My Own - released on Imperial 5357 in August 1955. Number 1 R&B.

Further Listening

As with Little Richard, the back catalogue of Fats Domino has remained in print in one form or another over the decades. In the UK you can buy public domain CD collections of both the Imperial singles and LPs at what sometimes seems to be almost giveaway prices. For example Not Now Music has a 3CD set "The Imperial Singles Collection" which has 75 tracks and which you may be able to pick up for £5.

Fats fans who hanker after every single he released on Imperial will want the 5 CD series released on Ace Uk. I've got the first 3 volumes and can recommend them most highly.

And that still wouldn't be the complete Fats output on Imperial as some tracks were only released on LP.

Recommended reading - "Blue Monday: Fats Domino and the Lost Dawn of Rock 'n' Roll" by Rick Coleman. Da Capo Press, 2007.

More Fats to be digitised soon ...

Little Richard - His Greatest Recordings

Side A:
01. Ready Teddy
02. Rip It Up
03. The Girl Can't Help It
04. I'll Never Let You Go
05. Miss Ann
06. Good Golly, Miss Molly
07. Lucille
08. Keep A Knockin'

Side B:
01. Can't Believe You Wanna Leave
02. Tutti Frutti
03. Heeby-Jeebies
04. Send Me Some Lovin'
05. Chicken Little Baby
06. Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey
07. She's Got It
08. Long Tall Sally

His Greatest Recordings (Mega)

His Greatest Recordings (Zippy)

Rock and roll starts here? Probably. We don't have all of Little Richard's greatest recordings on this collection as "Jenny Jenny" and "Slippin' And Slidin'" are missing. Indeed "Chicken Little Baby" is an odd choice for an LP of "greatest recordings" as it is basically a demo with Little Richard accompanying himself on piano. Later, when Specialty were desperately looking around for Little Richard material to release, they alighted on the demo and dubbed on some backing. It was pretty crap though, so only the Good Lord knows what it's doing in here.

Speaking of whom - this collection represents perhaps the greatest 2 year oeuvre in rock and roll history - the sides recorded for Specialty Records between September 1955 and October 1957 by THE wildman of rock, the man with the makeup, the pompadour, the pencil thin moustache, the suit that's two sizes too big, the screeching, wailing, sinning, debauched former Princess Lavonne, the Georgia Peach himself, laydeezingennelmen, the one and only Little Richard.

Then he found God, in Australia of all places, and the conveyor belt of howling rock and roll classics stopped. There were gospel recordings, there were comebacks as Little Richard strayed from the right hand path and got off the good foot, there were re-recordings of his Specialty hits for various labels like VeeJay and Modern, there were further spells of righteous preaching whenever he renounced sinning, and Little Richard became best known for being Little Richard. "He got what he wanted, but he lost what he had."

Nothing Little Richard subsequently recorded approached the level of his 1955 - 1957 sides, many of which were recorded at Cosimo Mattassa's J & M Studio in New Orleans with stunning backing by Lee Allen, Alvin "Red" Tyler and Earl Palmer. Some of the tracks on this collection feature Little Richard's own band, The Upsetters, who were almost as good as the New Orleans gang. Recording and release dates and personnel are listed below in the "Fax" section. The download includes an Easter egg which will make everything clear to the seekers after knowledge.

The Fax On The Rockin' Tracks:

Tutti Frutti recorded at the J & M Studio, New Orleans on 14th September, 1955. Personnel: Little Richard (vocal, piano); Lee Allen (tenor sax); Alvin "Red" Tyler (baritone sax); Huey Smith (piano); Justin Adams (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); Earl Palmer (drums).

Tutti Frutti / I'm Just A Lonely Guy - released on Specialty 561 in October 1955.

Chicken Little Baby demo recorded at the Specialty Office, Los Angeles in late 1955. Little Richard (piano, vocal).

A version with dubbed on drums and vocal group was released on Specialty LP 2104 "The Fabulous Little Richard" in March 1959.

Long Tall Sally and Miss Ann were recorded at the J & M Studio, New Orleans on 7th February, 1956. Personnel: Little Richard (piano, vocal); Lee Allen (tenor sax); Alvin "Red" Tyler (baritone sax); Edgar Blanchard (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); Earl Palmer (drums).

Long Tall Sally / Slippin' And Slidin' - released on Specialty 572 in March 1956.

Jenny Jenny / Miss Ann - released on Specialty 606 in May 1957.

Ready Teddy, Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey, and Rip It Up recorded at the J & M Studio, New Orleans on 9th May, 1956. Personnel: Little Richard (piano, vocal); Lee Allen (tenor sax); Alvin "Red" Tyler (baritone sax); Edgar Blanchard (guitar); Ernest McLean (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); Earl Palmer (drums). No piano on "Rip It Up."

Rip It Up / Ready Teddy - released on Specialty 579 in June 1956.

Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey - B-Side of Good Golly Miss Molly (Specialty 624) in January 1958.

Lucille and Heeby-Jeebies recorded at the J & M Studio, New Orleans on 30th July 1956. Personnel: Little Richard (piano, vocal); Lee Allen (tenor sax); Alvin "Red" Tyler (baritone sax); Roy Montrell (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); Earl Palmer (drums).

Heeby-Jeebies / She's Got It - released on Specialty 584 in October 1956.

Lucille / Send Me Some Lovin' - released on Specialty 598 in February 1957.

Can't Believe You Wanna Leave  recorded at the J & M Studio, New Orleans on 1st August, 1956. Personnel: Little Richard (piano, vocal); Lee Allen (tenor sax); Alvin "Red" Tyler (baritone sax); Roy Montrell (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); Earl Palmer (drums).

Released as B -Side of "Keep A Knockin'" on Specialty 611 in September 1957.

She's Got It recorded at Master Recorders, Los Angeles on 6th September 1956. Personnel: Little Richard and The Upsetters - Little Richard (piano, vocal); Wilbert Smith (tenor sax); Grady Gaines (tenor sax); Clifford Burks (tenor sax); Jewel Grant (baritone sax); Nathaniel Douglas (guitar); Olsie Richard Robinson (bass); Charles William Connor (drums).

Released as B-Side of Heeby Jeebies on Specialty 584 in October 1956.

Good Golly, Miss Molly recorded at the J & M Studio, New Orleans on 15th October 1956. Personnel: Little Richard (piano, vocal); Lee Allen (tenor sax); Alvin "Red" Tyler (baritone sax); Roy Montrell (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); Earl Palmer (drums).

Good Golly Miss Molly / Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey - released on Specialty 624 in January 1958.

The Girl Can't Help It and Send Me Some Lovin' were recorded at the J & M Studio, New Orleans on 16th October 1956. Personnel the same as the previous day, but add vocal group on "The Girl Can't Help It" - Adolph Smith, William Tircuit, Art Neville and Junior Gordon.

The Girl Can't Help It / All Around The World - released on Specialty 591 in November 1956.

Lucille / Send Me Some Lovin' - released on Specialty 598 in February 1957.

Keep A Knockin' recorded at a radio station in Washington D.C. on 16th January 1957. Personnel:  Little Richard and The Upsetters - Little Richard (piano, vocal); Wilbert Smith (tenor sax); Grady Gaines (tenor sax); Samuel Parker (baritone sax); Nathaniel Douglas (guitar); Olsie Richard Robinson (bass); Charles William Connor (drums).

Keep A Knockin' / Can't Believe You Wanna Leave - released on Specialty 611 in September 1957.

I'll Never Let You Go recorded at Master Recorders, Los Angeles on 18th October, 1957. Personnel: Little Richard and The Upsetters - Little Richard (piano, vocal); Clifford Burke (tenor sax); Wilbert Smith (tenor sax); Grady Gaines (tenor sax); Nathaniel Douglas (guitar); Olsie Richard Robinson (bass); Charles William Connor (drums).

Released as the B-Side of Baby Face on Specialty 654 in August 1958.

 Further Listening

Little Richard's Specialty sides have remained in print in one form or another since the 1950's. They're public domain now in the UK so there is a multiplicity of reasonably priced collections available. Beware of issues of his post Specialty sides which may contain re-recordings of his greatest hits.

I have this Jasmine set in my CD collection -

"She Knows How To Rock" - a 2 CD collection of the great man's Specialty singles in chronological order. Includes the sides he recorded in a brief return to the label in 1964. Jasmine JASCD 545.

I also have - 

"The Specialty Sessions" (3SPCD 8508-2) - a 3 CD collection which includes loads of outtakes, alternate takes and generally more Little Richard than most casual fans need. Each CD has notes by Ray Topping and also included is a 20 page booklet which, unfortunately, seems to be the same book which was issued when this set was released on vinyl and has simply been reduced in size for the CD box. This has made the text illegible without the aid of an electron microscope. However thanks to the invention of scanners and graphic image software the booklet can now be made legible again.

Mo' rockin' stuff in the pipeline!

He's Got It!

Huey "Piano" Smith - Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu

Side A:
01. Rocking Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu Pt 1 - Huey Smith and The Clowns
02. Rocking Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu Pt 2 - Huey Smith and The Clowns
03. Little Chickee Wah Wah - Huey And Jerry
04. Little Liza Jane - Huey Smith and his Rhythm Aces
05. Just A Lonely Clown - Huey Smith and His Clowns
06. Hush Your Mouth - Bobby Marchan with Huey Smith & his Band
07. Don't You Know Yockomo - Huey "Piano" Smith with his Clowns

Side B:
01. High Blood Pressure - Huey (Piano) Smith And The Clowns
02. Don't You Just Know It - Huey (Piano) Smith And The Clowns
03. Well I'll Be John Brown - Huey "Piano" Smith with his Clowns
04. Tu-Ber-Cu-Lucas And The Sinus Blues - Huey Smith
05. Dearest Darling (You're The One) - Huey Smith
06. She Got Low Down - Huey "Piano" Smith And His Clowns
07. Second Line - Huey & Curley

Rockin' Pneumonia (Mega)

Rockin' Pneumonia (Zippy)

Huey "Piano" Smith's 1950's hits embodied the very spirit of New Orleans R&B / rock 'n' roll - infectious, danceable, exuding a party atmosphere. Juke box classics guaranteed to get the good times rolling. His first solo recordings for Savoy, made in 1953, were mediocre to say the least. OK they were awful, poorly sung by Huey, dirges that should have been a whole lot better than they turned out to be. Yet a few years later he was churning out great New Orleans R&B for Johnny Vincent's Ace label. How come?

Well for a start he turned over singing duties to a vocal group of shifting personnel called The Clowns whose unison chanting of the novelty / nursery rhyme lyrics accompanied by rhythmomatic handclapping always got the party going. Then there was the addition of lead vocalist Bobby Marchan, indefatigable leader of a troupe of female impersonators. And of course there was a red hot backing band, with Huey on piano and another shifting population of top New Orleans musicians which usually featured such as Red Tyler, Lee Allen, Roland Cook, Earl King and Hungry Williams.

So be prepared to party hearty as you listen to this early Ace (UK) compilation of some (but not quite all) of Huey's top sides. I've changed some of the song titles to their original titles on single. I've also added the proper artist credits as they appeared on those singles sixty years ago. Full details below.

Here Come The Fax On The Trax ...

Little Liza Jane recorded in New Orleans, 1956. Personnel:

Huey Smith and his Rhythm Aces: Lee Allen (tenor sax); Red Tyler (baritone sax); Huey Smith (piano); Earl King and/or Mac Rebennack (guitar); Roland Cook (bass); probably Earl Palmer (drums).

Original release: Everybody's Whalin' / Little Liza Jane - Huey Smith and His Rhythm Aces, on Ace 521 in November 1956.

Rocking Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu, Parts 1 and 2, and "Just A Lonely Clown" recorded in Jackson, Mississippi, 1957. Personnel: 

Huey Smith (piano); Lee Allen and Red Tyler (saxes); Earl King (guitar); with unknown piano, bass, drums. The Clowns (vocals) - Bobby Marchan, Johnny Williams, Sid Raphael, Gerri Hall, Eugene Francis.

Original releases: Rocking Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu Parts 1 and 2 - Huey Smith and The Clowns, on Ace 530 in June 1957.

Just A Lonely Clown / Free Single And Disengaged - Huey Smith and His Clowns, on Ace 538 in October 1957.

Little Chickee Wah Wah recorded in New Orleans in 1957. Personnel:

Huey Smith (piano, vocal); Mac Rebennack (guitar); Charles "Hungry" Williams (drums); Gerri Hall (vocal); unknown bass.

Original release: Little Chickee Wah Wah / I Think You Jiving Me - Huey And Jerry, on Vin 1000 in 1958.

High Blood Pressure and Don't You Just Know It were recorded in New Orleans in December 1957. Personnel:

Huey (Piano) Smith and the Clowns : Lee Allen, Robert Parker (tenor saxes); Red Tyler (baritone sax); Huey Smith (piano); Earl King (guitar); Roland Cook (bass) Charles "Hungry" Williams (drums); The Clowns : Bobby Marchan (lead vocal) with possibly same personnel as on Rockin Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu.

Original release: High Blood Pressure / Don't You Just Know It - Huey (Piano) Smith And The Clowns, on Ace 545 in January 1958.

Hush Your Mouth and Well I'll Be John Brown were recorded in New Orleans in 1957. Session credited to Bobby Marchan and The Clowns. "Well I'll Be John Brown" credited to Huey Smith on its original release. Personnel:

Bobby Marchan (vocal); Alvin "Red" Tyler (tenor sax); Huey Smith (piano) with unknown tenor and baritone saxes, bass, drums and unknown vocal group.

Original release: see below

Don't You Know Yockomo recorded in New Orleans in 1958. Personnel:

Bobby Marchan (lead vocal); Gerri Hall (vocal); Huey Smith (piano); The Clowns (vocal group - probably the same as on Rocking Pneumonia) with rest of instrumental group probably similar to High Blood Pressure session.

Original release: Don't You Know Yockomo / Well I'll Be John Brown - Huey "Piano" Smith with his Clowns, on Ace 553 in November 1958.

Hush Your Mouth / Quit My Job - Bobby Marchan with Huey Smith & his Band, on Ace 595 in June 1960

Dearest Darling (You're The One) and Tu-Ber-Cu-Lucas And The Sinus Blues recorded in New Orleans in 1959. Personnel:

Bobby Marchan (vocal); Huey Smith (piano) with similar personnel to "Don't You Know Yockomo" session.

Original release: Dearest Darling (You're The One) / Tu-Ber-Cu-Lucas And The Sinus Blues - Huey Smith, on Ace 571 in September 1959.

She Got Low Down recorded in New Orleans in 1961. Personnel:

Huey "Piano" Smith & The Clowns: Lee Allen and Alvin "Red" Tyler (tenor saxes); Huey Smith (piano); with unknown bass and drums; Curley Moore, Billy Brooks, Gerri Hall (vocal group).

Original release - She Got Low Down / Mean, Mean Man - Huey "Piano" Smith and His Clowns, on Ace 638 in November 1961.

Second Line recorded in New Orleans, circa 1963-64. Personnel:

Huey Smith (piano, vocal); Curley Moore (vocal); rest unknown.

Original release: At The Mardi Gras / Second Line - Huey & Curley, on Ace 671 X in 1964

Elsewhere On The Blog

Huey 'Piano' Smith & His Clowns - Having A Good Time (Ace LP 1004)

Originally posted in August 2008, this was a reconstitution by Joan of an LP originally issued in 1959. Joan used rips from 45 rpm singles and EPs to put the LP "back together" and also provided some scans of original Ace label singles. I recently re-upped the LP in answer to a request and improved the tagging and boosted the volume slightly.

From The CD Collection:

Westside CD WESM 516 issued in 1997

24-track collection of Huey's biggies on Ace released on Westside, who issued a whole lotta Ace goodies back in the late 1990's. Volume 2 did appear but by that time I reckoned I had all the Huey I needed. If you come across this CD going second hand for a reasonable price then you're sorted for Huey and his Clowns.

 

Bobby Charles - Chess Masters

Side 1:

01. Watch It Sprocket

02. Yea Yea Baby

03. Don't You Know I Love You

04. Good Loving

05. I'd Like To Know

06. Ain't Got No Home

07. Time Will Tell

08. Take It Easy Greasy

09. You Can Suit Yourself

Side 2:

01. Later Alligator

02. On Bended Knee

03. I'll Turn Square For You

04. No More (I Ain't Gonna Love You No More)

05. Put Your Arms Around Me Honey

06. Lonely Street

07. Mr Moon

08. One Eyed Jack

09. Hey Good Looking

Bobby Charles Chess Masters (Mega)

Bobby Charles Chess Masters (Zippy)

Another revival of an LP originally posted in 2010 and as usual there are new cover and label scans and added information. New material will appear soon on the blog as I have finally purchased a new turntable.

Robert Charles Guidry was born in Abbeville, Louisiana, on 21st February 1938. His earliest musical influences were country and cajun, but he veered towards R&B when he heard Fats Domino on the radio. His songwriting abilities overshadowed his performing abilities, although his slightly flat laconic vocal delivery set the tone for a style which was to become known as swamp pop. One of his early compositions "Later Alligator" went down a storm at his gigs with backing band The Cardinals, so much so that a Crowley record store owner contacted Leonard Chess who signed Charles on the strength of hearing him sing over the telephone.

Bobby's first session for Chess (backed by The Cardinals) took place in New Orleans in October 1955 with "Later Alligator,"along with the ballad "On Bended Knee" as B-Side, being issued in November 1955. The A-Side, which was based on a Guitar Slim number "Later For You Baby," quickly attracted the attention of major record company Decca who had Bill Haley record a version in December 1955. "See You Later Alligator" as the Haley version was titled, stormed the pop charts in January 1956, completely eclipsing the Charles original.

Bobby Charles continued to record for Chess until May, 1958, then for Imperial from July 1958 to November 1960, then a brief return to Chess in March 1961. He had a total of seven singles released on Chess, none of which sold much despite being mostly well crafted R&B /Rock and Roll with strong backing by top New Orleans musicians under the supervision of Paul Gayten. However, it was as a songwriter that Bobby Charles had most impact, writing classic hits for other artists such as "Walking To New Orleans," (Fats Domino) "Before I Grow Too Old," (Tommy McLain) and "But I Do" (Clarence Henry). He continued to write, perform and record into the 21st century and was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame in 2007. He died on the 14th January, 2010.

This Chess Masters compilation from 1977 has the "rough and ready" feel that many other issues in the series also had. The choice of tracks is slightly odd as Bobby Charles had a total of 14 sides released on Chess singles yet some have been omitted in favour of previously unreleased tracks. A false start is included on "Bended Knee" which seems rather superfluous. The sound quality on some tracks is also a little muddy or distorted but in spite of the drawbacks this is an entertaining and enjoyable collection, with its unruly feel providing a certain attraction.

Full details of the tracks are listed below.

01. Watch It Sprocket - unissued

02. Yea Yea Baby - Chess 1670

03. Don't You Know I Love You - Chess 1617

04. Good Loving - unissued

05. I'd Like To Know - unissued

06. Ain't Got No Home - unissued

07. Time Will Tell - Chess 1628

08. Take It Easy Greasy - Chess 1628

09. You Can Suit Yourself - Chess 1658

10. Later Alligator - Chess 1609

11. On Bended Knee (+ false start) - Chess 1609

12. I'll Turn Square For You - unissued

13. No More (I Ain't Gonna Love You No More) - Chess 1658

14. Put Your Arms Around Me Honey - Chess 1647

15. Lonely Street - unissued

16. Mr Moon - unissued

17. One Eyed Jack - Chess 1670

18. Hey Good Looking - unissued

Bobby Charles singles on Chess with release dates. Titles in italics are not on this compilation. Information from 45worlds.com and globaldogproductions.info.

Chess 1609 - Later Alligator / On Bended Knee - November 1955

Chess 1617 - Why Did You Leave / Don't You Know I Love You - March 1956

Chess 1628 - Time Will Tell / Take It Easy Greasy - July 1956

Chess 1638 - Laura Lee / No Use Knocking - October 1956

Chess 1647 - Why Can't You / Put Your Arms Around Me Honey - January 1957
Chess 1658 - No More (I Ain't Gonna Love You No More) / You Can Suit Yourself - May 1957
Chess 1670 - One Eyed Jack / Yea Yea Baby - September 1957

The sessions:

Later Alligator; On Bended Knee; recorded in New Orleans in October 1955. Personnel: Bobby Charles (vocal) with The Cardinals - Harry Simontaux, Raoul Prado, Carlo Marino (saxes); Ed LeBlanc (piano); Larry Guidry (guitar); unknown (bass); Kenneth Theriot (drums).

Watch It Sprocket; Don't You Know I Love You; recorded in Chicago in January 1956. Personnel: Bobby Charles (vocal) with: Harold Ashby (tenor sax); Harold Burrage (piano); Jody Williams (guitar); Willie Dixon (bass); Billy Stepney (drums).

Ain't Got No Home; Time Will Tell; Take It Easy Greasy; recorded in New Orleans in March 1956. Personnel: Bobby Charles (vocal) with: Lee Allen (tenor sax); Red Tyler (baritone sax); Edward Frank (piano); Edgar Blanchard (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); Charles "Hungry" Williams (drums).

You Can Suit Yourself recorded in New Orleans on 28th August 1956. Personnel same as March 1956 session.

Put Your Arms Around Me Honey; Lonely Street; Mr. Moon; I'll Turn Square For You; I Ain't Gonna Do It No More; recorded in New Orleans in December 1956. Personnel: same as on March and August 1956 sessions. Baritone sax out on I Ain't Gonna Do It No More.

One Eyed Jack; Yea Yea Baby; recorded in New Orleans circa June 1957. Personnel: Bobby Charles (vocal) with unknown instrumental accompaniment and vocal group.

Good Loving recorded in New Orleans circa May 1958. Personnel: Bobby Charles (vocal) with: James Rivers (tenor sax); Red Tyler (baritone sax); Warren Myles (piano); Edgar Blanchard,
Justin Adams (guitars); Placide Adams (bass); Walter Lastie (drums).

Hey, Good Looking; I'd Like To Know - recorded probably in Chicago, March 1961. Personnel: Bobby Charles (vocal) with unknown sax, piano, guitar, bass and drums. Unknown vocal group on "I'd Like To Know."

The Best Of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues

Side A:
01. Loud Mouth Annie - Myles & Dupont
02. Rhythmatic Rhythm - Charles "Hungry" Williams
03. Jock-A-Mo - Sugar Boy and his Cane Cutters
04. Mardi Gras Mambo - The Hawketts
05. I'm A Country Boy - Clarence Henry
06. Flatfoot Sam - Oscar Wills
07. Ding Dong Darling - Allen Brooks
08. Lawdy Mama - Edgar Blanchard

Side B:
01. What Can I Do - Robert Green
02. The Joke - Reggie Hall
03. Walk That Walk - Eddie Bo
04. I Cried all The Way Home - Charles "Hungry" Williams
05. Foolish Woman - Allen Brooks
06. Oh-Oh - Eddie Bo
07. This Should Go On Forever - Rod Bernard
08. Needing Your Love - Bobby Blanque
09. Baby Please - Clifton Chenier

The Best Of New Orleans R&B (Mega)

The Best Of New Orleans R&B (Zippy)

This collection was last posted on the blog on the 24th February 2010. This re-up includes completely new art work, a slight volume boost and new information on the tracks. This improved re-post seemed to be a natural follow on to the previous Paul Gayten post, as he arranged and played on some of these sides.

I always had mixed feelings about this 1984 collection. Sure, there were a few stone classics on it, "Jock-A-Mo," "Flatfoot Sam," "Mardi Gras Mambo," but there were nine previously unissued tracks and the track list on the back cover was a typographical mess, and slightly misleading.

I corrected a couple of things the first time I posted this LP, but that post still contained a few inaccuracies, so it was back to the books and the web for me so that here and now, in the Year of Our Lord 2018, we may all contemplate the updated info on these tracks. If that's your bag. Or maybe you just wanna get straight to listening to what turns out to be a very strong collection of fine New Orleans R&B. For all I know I may be just writing this for myself or howling at the moon, but on we go!

First thing to note is that I've altered the titles and artist attributions of the tracks so that they more accurately reflect the original single releases. While doing this, I came across a few tales, so in no particular order, here's the deal:

First track, second side, "What Can I Do" was wrongly attributed to Charles Williams. It is in fact by Robert Green, the original drummer in the Paul Gayten band.

Small labels found that when one of their discs started to sell well, they lacked the production and distribution facilities to meet demand, so they would arrange leasing deals with bigger labels to maximize sales potential. There are three examples on this collection.

"Flat Foot Sam" was recorded for the Clif label out of Shreveport by Oscar Wills under his stage name T.V. Slim (he was a TV repairman in "real" life). When the record began selling heavily in the Dallas, Shreveport and New Orleans areas, a deal was cut with Chess for national distribution and the record was issued on Checker 870 in July 1957.

However Leonard Chess thought that the record would perform even better if it were recut with a sax backing. T.V. Slim went into a New Orleans studio where he recorded a new version with the Paul Gayten band. This second version was released on Argo 5277 in August 1957, this time credited to Oscar Wills. This is the version which is on this LP. Over the years the Oscar Wills / Paul Gayten version has appeared on various compilations credited to T.V. Slim. Same guy, different name, same song, different sound.

"The Joke" by Reggie Hall was originally issued by the small and short lived Rip label in New Orleans in January 1962. It sold so well that a deal was agreed with Chess who issued it on Chess 1816 in March 1962.

It was a similar story with Rod Bernard's "This Should Go On Forever." Recorded at J.D. Miller's studio in Crowley, Louisiana, it was first released on the Jin label of Ville Platte in October 1958 as by Rod Bernard and The Twisters. Jin owner Floyd Soileau couldn't meet the demand for the disc, so leased it to Chess who issued it on Argo 5327 in February 1959. "This Should Go On Forever" became a top twenty pop hit on the Billboard and Cash Box charts, which would have been impossible without the Chess deal.

In the previous posting of this collection I pointed out that a track which was unreleased back in the 1950's, Eddie Bo's "Walk That Walk" had become well known in the 21st Century through its use as background music in a television advert for Fiat Spirito di Punto. There was a single issued in the UK on "Chess" (Chess 1703) of "Walk That Walk" but this was a "repro" (which isn't strictly true, as there was no such original issue) released in 2011.

There are full details on all the tracks below, although the line up on Rod Bernard's "This Should Go On Forever" has escaped me. Swamp pop is slightly out of my comfort zone at the moment.

I hope you enjoy this compilation as much as I'm doing right now on repeat play.

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01. Loud Mouth Annie - Myles & Dupont (Argo 5326, February 1959)

02. Rhythmatic Rhythm - Charles "Hungry" Williams (unreleased)

03. Jock-A-Mo - Sugar Boy and his Cane Cutters (Checker 787, March 1954)

04. Mardi Gras Mambo - The Hawketts (Chess 1591, February 1955)

05. I'm A Country Boy - Clarence Henry (Argo 5266, March 1957)

06. Flatfoot Sam - Oscar Wills (Argo 5277, August 1957)

07. Ding Dong Darling - Allen Brooks (unreleased)

08. Lawdy Mama - Edgar Blanchard unreleased)

09. What Can I Do - Robert Green (unreleased)

10. The Joke - Reggie Hall (Rip 154, January 1962)

11. Walk That Walk - Eddie Bo (unreleased)

12. I Cried all The Way Home - Charles "Hungry" Williams (unreleased)

13. Foolish Woman - Allen Brooks (unreleased)

14. Oh-Oh - Eddie Bo (Chess 1698, July 1958)

15. This Should Go On Forever - Rod Bernard (Jin 105, October 1958)

16. Needing Your Love - Bobby Blanque (unreleased)

17. Baby Please - Clifton Chenier (unreleased)

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Myles & Dupont - Loudmouth Annie. Recorded in New Orleans circa June 1958. Personnel: Edgar Myles and August "Dimes" Dupont (vocals) with James Rivers and Robert Parker (saxes); Warren Myles (piano); Edgar Blanchard (guitar); Roland Cook (bass); Charles "Hungry" Williams (drums).

B-Side of "Heaven Or Heartbreak" released on Argo 5326, February 1959.

Charles "Hungry" Williams - Rhythmatic Rhythm; I Cried All The Way Home. Recorded in New Orleans circa June 1958. Personnel: Charles "Hungry" Williams (vocal,drums) with James Rivers and Robert Parker (saxes); Warren Myles (piano); Edgar Blanchard (guitar); Roland Cook (bass); unknown vocal group.

First released on this LP.

Sugarboy Crawford - Jock-A-Mo. Recorded in New Orleans in December 1953. Personnel: James Crawford (vocal,piano) with "Big Boy" Myles (trombone); Alfred Bernard and Davis Lastie (saxes); Snooks Eaglin (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); Eric Warner (drums) Slim "Sylvester" Saunders (vocal).

First released on Checker 787, Jock-A-Mo / You You You by Sugar Boy and his Cane Cutters, March 1954.

Label shot from Joan K

The Hawketts - Mardi Gras Mambo. Recorded in New Orleans in January 1955. Personnel: Israel Bell and August Fleuri (trumpets); Carroll Joseph (trombone); George Davis (alto sax); Morris Bechamin (tenor sax); Art Neville (vocal, piano); Alfred August (guitar); John Boudreaux (drums).

First released on Chess 1591 in February 1955, b/w Your Time's Up.

adapted from 45cat.com

Clarence Henry - I'm A Country Boy. Recorded in New Orleans in September 1956. Personnel: Clarence Henry (vocal) with Edgar "Big Boy" Myles (trombone); Lee Allen and  Eddie Smith (saxes); Paul Gayten (piano); Walter Nelson (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); Eugene Jones (drums).

First released on Argo 5266 B-Side of "Lonely Tramp" in March 1957.

T.V. Slim - Flatfoot Sam. Recorded in New Orleans circa June 1957. Personnel: Oscar Wills (aka T.V. Slim) (vocal, guitar) with The Paul Gayten Orchestra: Robert Parker (tenor sax); Red Tyler (baritone sax); Paul Gayten (piano); Justin Adams (guitar); Frank Fields (bass) Charles "Hungry" Williams (drums).

This version of "Flatfoot Sam" was released on Argo 5277 in August 1957. Credited to Oscar Wills with the Paul Gayten Orchestra. It was the B-Side of "Nervous Boogie" by the Paul Gayten Orchestra.

A different version of "Flatfoot Sam" b/w "Darling Remember" was released on Checker 870 in July 1957. Both sides credited to T.V. Slim and His Heartbreakers. This was the original version which was recorded in Shreveport and initially released on Clif 103 b/w "Darling Remember."

adapted from Discogs.com - this is the version on the LP

Allen Brooks - Ding Dong Darling; Foolish Woman. Recorded in New Orleans circa June 1958. Personnel: Allen Brooks (vocal) with James Rivers and Robert Parker (saxes); Warren Myles (piano); Edgar Blanchard (guitar); Roland Cook (bass); Charles "Hungry" Williams (drums); unknown vocal group.

Both sides first released on this LP.

Edgar Blanchard - Lawdy Mama. Recorded in New Orleans circa February 1958. Personnel: Edgar Blanchard (vocal, guitar) with unknown saxes, piano, guitar, bass, drums, vocal group.

First released on this LP.

Robert Green - What Can I Do. Recorded in New Orleans in 1957. Personnel: Robert Green (vocal, drums); Paul Gayten (piano); unknown saxes, guitar and bass.

First released on this LP but wrongly attributed to Charles "Hungry" Williams.

Reggie Hall - The Joke. Recorded in New Orleans in January 1962 for Rip Records. Personnel: Reggie Hall (vocal, piano) with unknown instrumental accompaniment and vocal group.

First released in January 1962 b/w "You Can Think What You Want" on Rip 154. This was the first release on the short lived New Orleans label (owned by Rippo Roberts). As the disc sold so well, Chess leased it and released it in March 1962 as Chess 1816.

Eddie Bo - Walk That Walk; Oh Oh.

Walk That Walk was recorded in New Orleans on 25th June 1957. Personnel: Eddie Bo (vocal, piano) with: unknown tenor sax; Justin Adams (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); Charles "Hungry" Williams (drums).

First released on this LP.

Oh-Oh was recorded in New Orleans circa May 1958. Personnel: Eddie Bo (vocal, piano) with: Edgar Blanchard (guitar); Roland Cook (bass); Charles "Hungry" Williams (drums).

First released in July 1958, B-Side of "My Dearest Darling" on Chess 1698.

Rod Bernard - This Should Go On Forever. Recorded at the J.D Miller Studio, Crowley, Louisiana, 1958.

First released on Jin 105 in October 1958 - "This Should Go On Forever" / "Pardon, Mr. Gordon" by Rod Bernard and The Twisters.

Re-released on Argo 5327 in February 1959. Credited to Rod Bernard.

Label shot from Joan K

Bobby Blanquet - Needing Your Love. Recorded in New Orleans on June 15th, 1955. Personnel (possibly): Bobby Blanque (vocal) with: Paul Gayten (piano); Lee Allen (tenor sax); Alvin "Red" Tyler (baritone sax); Ernest McLean (guitar); Frank Fields (bass); Earl Palmer (drums); unknown vocal group.

First released on this LP.

Baby Please - Clifton Chenier. Recorded in Los Angeles, late 1956. Personnel: Clifton Chenier (vocal, accordion) with: Lionel Prevo and B.G. Jones (saxes); James Jones (piano); Phillip Walker (guitar); Francis or Louis Candy (bass); Wilson Semien (drums).

First released on this LP.

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Sources:

Bruyninckx discography

John Broven: Rhythm & Blues In New Orleans, Pelican, 1983

Shane K. Bernard: Swamp Pop - Cajun And Creole Rhythm And Blues, University Press of Mississippi, 1996.

Discogs.com and 45cat.com.

Liner notes for the Ace CD "Red River Blues" (CD CHD 725) by Ray Topping.

You may also like:

Joan Selects Volume 18 - Joan's New Orleans Jazz Fest Special

- 33 big 'uns! Loadsa New Orleans rhythm.