Another week and another random ramble, this week over on the R’n’B side of town. Musical genres have come up as a conversation a few times in the shop this week. Some people dislike the use of genre terms like R’n’B and see them as restrictive boxes. This week we could say we have Rock ‘n’ Roll, Proto Ska, Jump Blues, Electric Blues Early Soul and Bossa Nova. But these terms are loose guides that let you skip from one sound to another in the big wide world of Rhythm and Blues and related styles. If you like one why not try the one next door? (Hmm now that sounds like a Blues song.)
Tony Allan – Holy Smoke Baby / Time Won’t Wait On You – Aladddin
This is a great black Rock ‘n’ Roll record in the Larry Williams style from 1958 with a lovely ballad flip. It has a fine guitar lead and break rather than the sax that might have been expected. Tony has a strange story, or sort of half story. He was on track for a hit in 1955 with his first record, the classic vocal harmony track Nite Owl as Tony Allen and The Champs on Specialty. But he bailed on Specialty to record for a couple of rival companies so Specialty pulled the promo for the record and it did not become as big as it may have. As well as Tony Allan he recorded as Tony Allen, Bobby Sykes and as a member of The Furys, The Wonders and other vocal harmony groups. Some people speak of him as having the potential to be another Richard Berry or Young Jesse but he never quite landed that hit and seemed to fade away. So maybe start here on the Tony Allan trail.
Holy Smoke, Baby
Bobo Jenkins – Nothing But Love / Tell Me Who – Boxer
Two absolutely brutal Blues guitar stompers on this 45. Bobo’s story is the bluesman paradigm. He was born in Alabama, lived in Memphis for some formative years, served in WWII then moved to Detroit to work in a car factory. He met up with John Lee Hooker, recorded his first sides then five years later this monster double sider in 1959. But he is no leaf adrift in the stream of life. He formed his own record label recording other bluesmen and even created his own Blues festival in 1972. Maybe his story is the paradigm because he made sure it was not ignored by giving the story the extra hook of killer records like this.
Nothing But Love
Tell Me Who
Georgie Stevenson – Teasin’ Tan / Meet Me At Grandma’s Joint – Savoy
Issued on 78 only in 1954, Teasin’ Tan is a fine loping beat R’n’B number reminiscent of Rocket 88 (even including the Blow Your Horn exhortation that Ike uses.). The flip though is what projects this 45 into the must-have category. The backbeat is doubled down on and the nasty guitar is amped up all the way. This was a huge number on the Jamaican Sound System scene in the 50s and 60s and with its proto Ska sound it is obvious why. It seems Georgie is the trombone player on this side and Lee Allen is on Sax. It is safe to assume that this was recorded in New Orleans and bought in by the New York-based Savoy label.
Meet Me At Grandma’s House
Johnny Otis – The Night Is Young / Stop, Look And Love Me – Dig
From the unknown to an R’n’B and Rock ‘n’ Roll superstar, Johnny Otis. His story is well known but a quick recap; Johnny was a musician in swing bands from the early 40s onward but in 1945 he formed his own band and it can be argued reshaped the music around him into R’n’B. He had an unbelievable talent for finding talent, the list of musicians he discovered is a who’s who of R’n’B and Rock ‘n’ Roll; Big Mama Thornton, Little Esther, The Coasters, Big Jay McNeeley, Etta James, Jackie Wilson and Hank Ballad to name a few. He also crossed the race barrier, he was of Greek descent but many people just assumed he was African American as he was always surrounded by such artists.
This record is from just before he signed to Capitol Records in 1957 and had his worldwide smash Ma He’s Making Eyes At Me. This Dig 45 is a super example real booting Rock ‘n’ Roll at jive tempo on the Night side and a stroll tempo on the Stop side. Every element is pretty much perfect; vocal, sax, vocal harmony and pounding drums capturing the synthesis of R’n’B and Rock ‘n’ Roll.
The Night Is Young
Stop, Look And Love Me
Jimmy Mccracklin – What’s That Pt1 / What’s That Pt2 – Mercury 45
Sticking with superstars (in our world anyway) Jimmy McCracklin hit worldwide success with The Walk in 1958 but he was already a seasoned performer and writer with more than ten years in the biz by that time and had recorded for many west coast R’n’B labels. After the success of The Walk he signed to Mercury and continued recording fine rockin’ R’n’B tunes such as this one from 1960, or at least the top side is. The flip, although named Pt 2, sounds like a different take that was unissued at the time. Both sides roll along in a swinging groove with a fabulous insistent backing vocal pulling the vocals, sax and everything else together. Oh and just look at the writing credit, that Mr Otis gets everywhere.
What’s That Pt1
What’s That Pt2
Sam Pagalia Meets Frank Popp Ensemble – Stripper Girl / Hip Club / Gran Lusso – Hip Club
Talking of grooves let’s get right up to date and groovy, sorry we have to say it, with an Austin Powers feel. This Hammond organ dancer from Italian Sam was remixed by the German band Frank Popp Ensemble in 2004. The vocal side Stripper Girl has a Riot On Sunset Strip sound and along with the super relaxed Gran Lusso, it hits all the spots for a super sixties freak out.
Stripper Girl
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