Both sides had been released earlier on Rebel #729 by Smith in 1963. No exact release date for this one is reported but I read somewhere this was also dated 1963 (although this is very doubtful). While "Big Boss Man" is cover of the classic Luther Dixon-Al Smith composition, "Cying for Pastime" is a country song out of the Fernwood Records vaults. This Silver Skip release lists only Eddie Carroll as a songwriter. The Rebel release added also Fernwood owner Ronald Wallace. Eddie Carroll was a local Memphis singer in his own right and had a couple of releases on Fernwood, Pure Gold (another Ronald Wallace label), Santo, and Guyden.
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Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Shelby R. Smith on Silver Skip
Both sides had been released earlier on Rebel #729 by Smith in 1963. No exact release date for this one is reported but I read somewhere this was also dated 1963 (although this is very doubtful). While "Big Boss Man" is cover of the classic Luther Dixon-Al Smith composition, "Cying for Pastime" is a country song out of the Fernwood Records vaults. This Silver Skip release lists only Eddie Carroll as a songwriter. The Rebel release added also Fernwood owner Ronald Wallace. Eddie Carroll was a local Memphis singer in his own right and had a couple of releases on Fernwood, Pure Gold (another Ronald Wallace label), Santo, and Guyden.
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Shelby Smith's Empire of record labels
Shelby R. Smith's empire of small record labels is a confusing one. Dave Travis released a 34 track CD in his "Memphis Rockabillies, Hillbillies & Honky Tonkers" series on Stomper Time, which dealt with Smith's productions. Dave likely put all his knowledge into the liner notes of this CD, which I don't own, unfortunately. Hence, I decided to take an approach at exploring Shelby Smith's story on my own.
Generally, Smith is associated with five different record labels: Rebel, Rebel Ace, Silver Skip, Smitty, and Silento. The aforementioned Stomper Time CD also contained tracks released on a Rebel label from South Pittsburgh, Tennessee, which was to all accounts a different label, owned by Bill Cooley.
Shelby R. Smith was a local singer from Memphis and according to my researches, first registered in 1958 when he copyrighted the song "Crossword Puzzle." By 1960, Smith was recording for the Smitty label, which belonged to Fernwood, according to Terry Gordon's RCS site. In fact, some of Smith's productions were recorded by Ronald Wallace in his Fernwood recording studio. However, in 1962, the Rebel label appeared on the radar with two singles by Smith, including his "Rocking Mama." This label was said to be based in Batesville, Arkansas (if this is true, is another question). It seems Rebel was later replaced by Rebel Ace by the mid 1960s (based in St. Louis, Missouri, according to the label of Rebel Ace #743). Smith was likely forced to use another name because there had been a label of the same name in Maryland since 1959. Uncertain is the chronology of Smith's Silver Skip and Silento labels.
Contrary to widely held beliefs, Smitty 55784, featuring "Rosalie" and "To Your Heart for a Moment," was neither recorded by Shelby Smith nor released under the pseudonym Roy Lett. In fact, Roy Lett was a singer who was living in Memphis at the time of these recordings. He had started his musical career in the early 1950s in Knoxville.
As it became probably obvious in my explanations, there are a lot of question marks and doubts regarding Smith and his labels. Only Dave Travis' liner notes will probably bring some clarity into this story. Stay tuned.
Billboard C&W review July 28, 1962 |
Billboard C&W review May 4, 1963 |
Rebel / Rebel Ace
728: Shelby Smith - Since My Baby Said Good-By / Rocking Mama (1962)
729: Shelby Smith - Big Boss Man / Crying for a Pastime (1963)
730: Davis Brothers - How Can I Tell Her / Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow (1966)
731: Bobby Davis - Troubles Troubles / ?
732: Bob Downen - Blue Yodel No.1 T for Texas / Reaching Out
733:
734: S. R. Smith - This Old Town / ?
734: Glen A. Linder - I'll Always Care / Out Come of War (1966)
735: Alma Herndon - True Love Where Have You Gone / Oregonian Blues
736: Jean Henderson - Too Many Sunsets / Put It On My Charge Account (1966)
737: Jimmy Evans - Call Me Mr. Lonesome / Dudley Do-Rite (1967)
738/9: Eddy Beers - You're Both the Cheating Kind / The Open Road (1967)
740/1: Marilyn Strothcamp - Until Today / Plaything (1967)
742: Marilyn Strothcamp - Just a Dime Away / Second Girl
743: Eddy Beers - What's Your Excuse / Big Mack Waitin'
743: Marilyn Strothcamp - I Cried a Tear / All I Feel for You Is Sorry
• The first three releases were issued under the Rebel brand, subsequent releases under the name of Rebel Ace.
• Numbers #734 and #743 were used twice.
• #742 and #743 give location as 2404 Charlack - St. Louis, Missouri.
Silver Skip
101: S. R. Smith - North to Alaska / Foolish Love Affair
201: Eddy Beers - I'm Gonna Be a Wealthy Man / Overdrawn on Heartaches (1966)
202: Shelby R. Smith - Big Boss Man / Cryin' for a Pastime
203: Shelby R. Smith - Wake Me Up / Jim-Dandy Handy Man
203: Jackie Underwood - Her Heart Would Know / ?
• Recordings on #202 were possibly the same as on Rebel #729.
• #203 by Shelby Smith was recorded at Bill Glore's Glolite Studios.
Silento
100: S. R. Smith - Why Does You Cry / Social Security
• Label gives location as 297 N. Main - Memphis, Tennessee (home of Fernwood Records).
Smitty
55783: Shelby Smith - What's On Your Mind / So Long to Get to You (1960)
55784: Roy Lett - Rosalie / To Your Heart for a Moment
• Smitty was a Fernwood subsidiary intended for custom recordings.
Friday, April 21, 2017
Selected Cover Versions
I'm sure you will enjoy this. Bob O'Brien presents his third compilation, full of "hits to curios." Great tracks here to be sure, "Sixty Minute Man" is one of them.
♫♪
track list:
1.Floyd Tillman - I Almost Lost My Mind
2. Fran Warren & Hugo Winterhalter‘s Orch. - I Almost Lost My Mind
3. Homer & Jethro - Oh Babe!
4. Dale Evans - Please Send Me Someone to Love
5. Hawkshaw Hawkins - I‘m Waiting Just for You
6. Bill Haley & his Saddlemen - Rocket 88
7. Hardrock Gunter with Roberta Lee - Sixty Minute Man
8. Bill Haley & his Saddlemen - Rock the Joint
9. Bill Haley & his Comets - Rock the Joint
10. Hawkshaw Hawkins - Got You on My Mind
11. Buddy Morrow & his Orch. - Night Train (instr.)
12. Rex Allen - Crying in the Chapel
13. June Valli - Crying in the Chapel
14. Doris Day - Secret Love
15. The McGuire Sisters - Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight
16. Johnnie & Jack - Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight
17. The Fontaine Sisters - Hearts of Stone
18. The McGuire Sisters - Sincerely
19. Ella Mae Morse - Jump Back Honey, Jump Back
20. Gene Vincent & his Blue Caps - Jump Back Honey, Jump Back
21. Johnny Burnette Trio - Honey Hush
22. BONUS Ahmad Jamal Trio - Secret Love
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Rare R&B, Volume II
Here's the second installment of Bob O'Brien's "Rare R&B" series, another one will follow on this blog. I'm sure you will enjoy this and leave a comment, if you like it!
♫♫♫
1. Ivory Joe Hunter - I Almost Lost My Mind
2. Wynonie Harris - Good Morning Judge
3. Big John Greer - Got You On My Mind
4. Percy Mayfield - Please Send Me Someone to Love
5. Hadda Brooks - Brooks‘ Boogie (instrumental)
6. Fats Domino - Goin‘ Home
7. Lloyd Price - Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
8. Little Walter and his Night Cats - Juke (instrumental)
9. Roy Brown - Letter from Home
10. Ray Charles - It Should Have Been Me
11. Wynonie Harris - Bloodshot Eyes
12. The Moonglows - Secret Love
13. Sonny Till and the Orioles - Crying in the Chapel
14. Hank Ballard and the Midnighters - Work with Me Annie
15. Hank Ballard and the Midnighters - Annie Had a Baby
16. Otis Williams and the Charms - Hearts of Stone
17. Johnny Ace with Johnny Otis‘ Band - Pledging My Love
18. The Penguins - Earth Angel
19. Roy Brown - Old Age Boogie Pt. 1
20. Roy Brown - Old Age Boogie Pt. 2
21. Big Joe Turner - Honey Hush
22. Rufus Thomas, Jr. - Bear Cat
23. The Moonglows - Sincerely
24. Smiley Lewis - I Hear You Knocking
25. The Spaniels - Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight
26. BONUS The Flamingos - For All We Know
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Delmore Brothers on King
I first learned of the Delmore Brothers when hearing their "Rounder's Blues" years ago. This song was recorded at a time, when they were already recording boogie oriented numbers. "Rounder's Blues," however, was pure blues material, which could have been recorded easily ten years earlier by the Delmores. I was instantly struck with their intense harmony singing and the powerful harmonica solos by Wayne Raney. The brothers had developed their own sound by then, comprising boogie woogie elements, their close harmony singing, and a signature sound provided by their guitars, electric lead guitar and energetic harmonica performances by Raney or Lonnie Glosson.
The Delmores were Alton, born December 25, 1908, and Rabon, born December 3, 1916, to Charles Edward (1875-1951) and Mary Ann Delmore (1978-1958). The brothers had six other siblings and were born and raised in Elkmont, Limestone County, in the Alabama mountainside. Their musical influences rooted deeply in white gospel music and old-time. Their mother composed several gospel tunes and was joined by Alton later on.
The Delmore Brothers at WSM, 1930s |
Their association with Bluebird ended in 1940 and they began recording for Decca that same year. Although record sales were still good, the Delmores struggled to find a solid radio station base to broadcast. By 1943, they settled in Cincinnati, which borught them back on the map. That year, Alton put together the "Brown's Ferry Four," a gospel quartet consisting of Alton and Rabon, Merle Travis, and Grandpa Jones. The group began recording for Sidney Nathan's King record label in Cincinnati and soon, the brothers were allowed to record solo sides again. On King, they found their signature sound, fusing their blues and gospel roots with boogie woogie. "Hillbilly Boogie" was the first of those, cut with Merle Travis and Louie Innis on guitars and Roy Starkey on bass in Hollywood.
Adding electric guitars, bass, and harmonicas played by Wayne Raney or Lonnie Glosson, added to the sound, which soon began making waves in country music, known simply as "Hillbilly Boogie." Their biggest hit became "Blues Stay Away from Me" in 1949.
Today's selections came from a May 21, 1952, session at the King Recording Studio in Cincinnati. The line-up included Alton Delmore on vocals and rhythm guitar, Rabon Delmore on vocals and tenor guitar, an unknown musician on bass, as well as Wayne Raney and Lonnie Glosson on harmonicas. It was one of their last sessions for King, before Rabon died of lung cancer in December 1952, at the age of 36 years.
Alton, struggling with mental and health problems after the loss of his father, his brother, and his daughter, moved back to Hunstville, Alabama, but quit the music business. He recorded one last single for the small Linco label out of Fayetteville, Tennessee, in 1958. You can hear the melancholy and trouble of his life, listening to "Good Times in Memphis." Alton died on June 8, 1964. His biography, "Truth is Stranger than Publicity," was posthumously published in 1977.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Chuck Berry R.I.P.
Chuck Berry has passed away at the age of 90 years. He will always be remembered.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
That Million Dollar Memphis Sound
Memphis music personality Eddie Bond had many occupations at the same time. A singer, club owner, radio DJ, TV personality, producer, promoter, and label owner are likely only a couple of functions. He set up his first label Stomper Time Records in 1959, named after his background band, the Stompers. He went on to cut countless 45s for small local labels, including the Millionaire and Western Lounge imprints.
Eddie Bond at KWEM |
Bond however, was provided with enough engagements, recording releases and his steady job as the programm director of KWAM. He released "Cold Dark Waters" on Buford Cody's Memphis label in 1965, which turned out to be a moderate seller for Bond. Soon, things were "looking rosier" for Bond, as Billboard reported in February 1965, and around the same time, he became involved in the Millionaire Music Corporation, which included a publishing firm and two labels, Millionaire and Western Lounge (also shortened to Western at times). The company's name and its slogan "That Million Dollar Memphis Sound," which was printed on both labels variously, were of ironic nature, regarding Bond's financial problems. It is not clear to me if Bond really owned the companies but he was at least heavily involved in them.
In November 1965, Billboard reported that the Western Lounge on 1298 Madison Avenue, Memphis, had set up a label of the same name. Bond's involvement in this label was not mentioned probably due to his bankruptcy. The first two discs on the label were by Dean Cross, a local singer who regularly appeared at the Western Lounge. On February 13, 1966, Cross took part in a charity concert at the Lounge at also included Ace Cannon, Ray Scott, Jerry Fox, and Eddie Bond.
Bond released several 45s on Millionaire as well as an album "Favorite Country Hits from Down Home" (Millionaire #MLP1618) in 1967. Both Millionaire and Western Lounge became dormant after 1967. Bond recorded one disc for Stan Kesler's XL label in 1968 and that same year, his Tab recording label came into existence, for which he recorded steadily during the early 1970s.
Millionaire 45-101
Leftus & Rightous
Wobbling Stone () / ?
SK4M-0887 / SK4M-0888 (RCA)
1965
1965
Millionaire 45-120
Leon Starr
Honey Child () / ?
T4KM-5282 / ? (RCA)
1966
Millionaire MM-126
Lloyd Arnold
Wake My Heart () / That's How I Wake Up (Lloyd Arnold)
T4KM-5279 / T4KM-5280 (RCA)
1966
Millionaire MC-446
Eddie Bond
Looks Like a Monkey () / Daddy's Drinkin' Up Our Future ()
112 / 113
1967
Western Lounge
Western Lounge 1298
Dean Gross
Hello Frisco, Goodbye Viet Nam (Gene Rowe) / The Stronger of the Two (Gene Rowe)
SO 2731 / SO 2732 (Plastic Products)
1965
Western Lounge W-1300
Dean Cross
Look In My Boot (Curtis Marshall) / Six By Six By Three (Curtis Marshall)
TK4M-4030 / TK4M-4031 (RCA)
1966
Western Lounge W-1301/2
Tommy Tucker
Everybody's Darlin' Plus Mine (Robbins) / Sorry About That (Edna Lee)
TK4M-4547 / TK4M-4548 (RCA)
1966
Western W-111
The Fabulous Jack Fargo
Little Rosa (W. Pierce; R. Sovine) / I Just Dropped In to Say Goodybe (J. Pierce)
P-14 / P-15
Note: This disc was also released in 1962 on Pen #111.
Western Lounge WPR-311
Frankie Bonds
Ballad of H. H. McKnight (Tommy Tompsen) / Go on Break My Heart (Frankie Bond)
A / B
Thanks to Apes Ville
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Rare R&B, Volume 1
Here is a nice compilation by Bob O'Brien, featuring "rare R&B" that all of you will enjoy, I'm pretty sure. Track information has been carefully researched by Bob and can be found in the original file names.
♪♫
track list:
1. Bill Doggett Combo - Big Dog, Pt. 1
2. Mildred Anderson with Bill Doggett‘s Combo - You Ain‘t No Good
3. Bill Doggett Combo - Glo‘ Glug
4. Mildred Anderson with Bill Doggett‘s Combo - Your Kind of Woman
5. Rusty Bryant‘s Carolyn Club Band - Castle Rock
6. Anisteen Allan with Lucky Millender & his Orch. - I‘m Waiting Just for You
7. The Dominoes - Sixty Minute Man
8. Fats Domino - The Fat Man
9. Jimmy Forrest - Night Train
10. Rusty Bryant‘s Carolyn Club Band - Night Train-All Night Long Medley
11. Big Joe Turner - Chains of Love
12. Jackie Brenston with Ike Turner‘s Band - Rocket 88
13. Rusty Bryant‘s Carolyn Club Band - Pink Champagne
14. Julia Lee & her Boyfriends - The Spinach Song
15. Oscar McLollie & his Honey Jumpers - The Honey Jump, Pt. 1 & 2
16. Rusty Bryant‘s Carolyn Club Band - The Honeydripper
17. Jimmy Preston & his Prestonians - Rock this Joint
18. Annie Laurie - 3 Times 7
19. Louis Jordan & his Tympany Five - Saturday Night Fish Fry
20. Big Joe Turner with Wynonie Harris - Battle of the Blues, Pt. 1
21. Wynonie Harris with Big Joe Turner - Battle of the Blues, Pt. 2
22. Big Jay McNeely - 3-D
23. Hadda Brooks - Jump Back, Honey, Jump Back
24. Wynonie Harris with Lucky Milliner & his Orch. - Oh! Babe
25. Albert Ammons, Meade ‘Lux‘ Lewis, Pete Johnson - Boogie Woogie Prayer (live)
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Cindy Price on Delta
Judging from the sound of this record, it was recorded and released in the 1970s. I wasn't able to turn up any info on Cindy Price, unfortunately, but the background band is credited as "Marianna Jamboree Band." It is likely this was the house band of the "Arkansas Jamboree" in Marianna, Arkansas, a live stage show that also included rockabilly musician Jimmy Evans and his daughter Debbie for years. Country music singer Truman Lankford was also part of that show for five years. The Arkansas Jamboree was produced partially by Jack Richard Northrup and also released a LP (see here). It is neither to be confused with the "Arkansas Jamboree Barndance" (later renamed "Barnyard Frolic"), which aired over KLRA from 1946 until 1960 in Little Rock, nor with the 1980s Arkansas Jamboree in Hot Springs.
Delta Records was one of the labels Dan Craft was operating out of his recording studio in West Memphis, Arkansas, which is located only 50 miles northeast of Marianna. Songwriter Harold F. "Buddy" Clements registered six different songs with BMI. Apart from that, he left no info behind. The publishing firm Jamdan also published compositions by Sonny Blake, who also recorded for Dan Craft.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Bob Taylor on Express
In 1963 and 1965, Taylor had two releases respectively on Cotton Town Jubilee in West Memphis. These discs were his debut recordings. Taylor possibly appeared on Gene Williams' Cotton Town Jubilee show as well. Through Williams, Taylor made the connection with Style Wooten, who made his first steps in the recording production business at that time. In 1965, Taylor recorded for Wooten's Tentay label "After the Trial" b/w "Like a Crazy Fool" (both Rexclan Publ.). This is what we know for sure.
Jimmy Hunsucker, a country music singer, accompanied Taylor to Nashville to cut "Timber Falling," which was based on a true story, as Taylor reinforced several times to Hunsucker. Aside from Thomas Wayne, A&R man Scotty Moore was also present as well as musicians D.J. Fontana on drums and Weldon Myrick on steel guitar to back up taylor. The vocal group of the then newly aired TV show "Hee Haw" provided background vocals. Taylor wanted the song to be perfect and they recorded it over and over again that day. On the same session, Hunsucker recorded "I Feel a Good One Coming Up" and "Lonely World," which was released on Style Wooten's Camaro label shortly afterwards (Camaro #3392, 1969).
Four more discs on Express followed. Publishing was credited to Rexclan Publishing Company, which has 22 compositions listed by BMI, the majority of them by Bob Taylor. It can be assumed Express as well as Rexclan were both Taylor's own companies.
Express ES 2: Bob Taylor - Ode to Jimmy Hoffa / Our Country Has Had It
Express 713: Bob Taylor - Don't Accuse Me / Blue Lights
Express 714: Bob Taylor - Hall of Fame / You'll Never Want for Love