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BARGAIN BASEMENT

COMPACT DISCS - Rhythm & Blues, Soul & Doo-Wop
Barbara Acklin  -> Frankie Lee

JOHNNY ADAMS
LEE ALLEN
GENE BARGE
FONTELLA BASS
BIG MAYBELLE
NAPPY BROWN & KIP ANDERSON
DON BRYANT
SOLOMON BURKE
DEE CLARK
EDDIE COLE & THE THREE PEPPERS
KING CURTIS
DR. JOHN
THE FIVE KEYS
THE FLAMINGOS
THE FOUR VAGABONDS
EARL GAINES
BARBARA GEORGE
CHARLIE GONZALES
THE HALOS
COUNT "RED" HASTINGS
FRED HUGHES/ JOHNNY SAYLES
THE INK SPOTS
BIG DEE IRWIN
BILL JENNINGS & RAY BRYANT
PAUL KELLY
THE KELLY BROTHERS
FRANKIE LEE
 

JOHNNY ADAMS AIM 1201 The Immortal Soul Of ● CD $13.98 $8.98
New Orleans singer Adams wraps his soulful pipes around 15 searing ballads and up tempo R&B items on these recordings produced by Senator Jones for a number of different labels in the late 70s and early 80s. Recorded at the Sea-Saint Studio with top New Orleans musicians like Walter Washington, Alan Toussaint, Leo Nocentelli and others he does I Only Wanna Be With You/ Love Me Now/ Give Me A Chance/ Who Will The Next Fool Be/ Stay With Me/ Closer To You and others including Johnny's only stab at disco - an uptempo reworking of Spanish Harlem.
JOHNNY ADAMS: Closer To You/ Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You/ Give Me A Chance/ I Only Wanna Be With You/ I'll Never Fall In Love Again/ Love Me Now/ Share Your Love/ Sharing With You/ Spanish Harlem/ Stairway To Heaven/ Stay With Me/ Think About You/ Turning Point/ Who Will The Next Fool Be/ Your Love Is All I Need

 
JOHNNY ADAMS Collectables 5741 Reconsider Me ● CD $11.98 $8.98
18 fine sides recorded for Shelby Singleton in the 60s and 70s - Reconsider Me/ Kiss The Hurt Away/ Proud Woman/ Release Me/ Real Life Hurtin' Man/ I Can't Be All Bad, etc.

 
JOHNNY ADAMS Rounder 2135 The Verdict ● CD $15.98 $9.98
12 cuts, 57 mins, recommended
New Orleans' "Tan Nightingale" is wonderful on this his 2nd LP of late night jazz, the follow-up to '93's "Good Morning Heartache" (Rounder 2125 - $15.98) There's a few jumpin' tracks here, but my faves are the smoochers, including the title track, originally by the 5 Keys, backed by a gorgeous quartet led by saxist Houston Person, who also backs Johnny on standards Willow Weep For Me & I Cover The Waterfront, and the beautiful opening tune, Dinah Washington's Blue Gardenia backed only by pianist-turned-movie-serial killer Harry Connick Jr. Also include 3 tunes co-written by Johnny's 2 favorite medical men, Doc Pomus & Dr. John, including the never before recorded Dreams Must Be Going Out Of Style. (GM)

 
LEE ALLEN Collectables 5083 Walkin' With Mr. Lee - Golden Classics ● CD $11.98 $9.98
14 tracks, recommended
Instrumental New Orleans R&B featuring legendary tenor sax player Lee Allen who worked with just about everybody in New Orleans in the 50s and 60s. Joined by fellow New Orlenians Allen Toussaint, Edgar Blanchard, Justin Adams and others and he recorded a number of fine tracks for the New York based Ember Records in 1957 and '58 which resulted in two minor hits Walkin' With Mr Lee and Tic Toc which are featured here along with 12 other cuts - Short Circuit/ Ivy League/ Hot Rod Special/ Promenade/ Strollin' With Mr. Lee/ Lee's Blues and others. This CD is a reissue of Ember LP 200 and has new notes by Mark Marymount. (FS)

 
GENE BARGE See For Miles SECD 442 Dance With Daddy "G" Plus .. ● CD $16.98 $9.98
19 tracks, 50 min., recommended
Gene Barge is perhaps best known as the Daddy G playing sax on all those Gary U.S. Bonds and Jimmy Soul songs. But that was Barge on Chuck Willis' C. C. Rider and Betty And Dupree, on Fontella Bass' Rescue Me session, and on sessions with Howlin' Wolf, Koko Taylor, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Muddy Waters, The Dells, Andre Williams, Etta James, The Violinaires, Meditation Singers, Little Milton, and on and on. This release reissues his original Checker album (LP-2994), Dance With Daddy G, from 1964 and adds 7 cuts, 3 of which are previously unreleased and 6 of which are not really instrumentals. And while Chess/Checker squandered Barge's talents by having him record an LP of instrumental versions of popular songs, he manages to lift the concept up from the dance floor to a somewhat loftier height. Somewhat. (JC)

 
FONTELLA BASS Fuel 2000 61072 Free ● CD $16.98 $9.98
Superb soul singing from St. Louis vocalist Bass on 15 songs recorded for the Jewel subsidiary Paula in 1972 and '73. The sessions were produced by the great Oliver Sain who gave Fontella her first break in the early 60s and features arrangements by Gene Barge. Includes fine song like To Be Free/ I Want Everyone To Know/ Talking About Freedom/ Wiping Tears/ Who You Gonna Blame/ I'm Leaving The Choice To You and others including a fine remake of her most famous song - the classic Rescue Me.

 
BIG MAYBELLE Westside 589 Half Heaven, Half Heartache ● CD $13.98 $10.98
First reissue on CD of Maybelle's Brunswick recordings from the mid/late 60s. It includes two Lps (one all gospel), a non album single and a previously unissued track. Includes What More Can A Woman Do/ Tortured/ If/ I Still Care/ The Price You have To Pay/ Yes Indeed!/ Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho/ Down By the Riverside, etc.

 
NAPPY BROWN & KIP ANDERSON Westside WESF 104 Best of Both Worlds ● CD $15.98 $9.98
12 tracks, 38 min., highly recommended
Originally issued on Ripete label in 1997. If you like your rhythm & blues rockin' ala 1950s or you're into the "beach music" scene, this CD is right for going 'down in the alley'. Both were former gospel singers born in the Carolinas. Nappy sings solo lead on (Night Time Is) The Right Time/ Down In The Bottom/ Don't Be Angry and Hit The Road Jack ; Kip sings solo lead on It Should've Been Me, Hal Paige's Big Foot May/ Knife And Fork and When You're Ugly Like Me. On the rest, they sort of encourage each other (I wouldn't call it a duet), with Nappy singing the main lead on Jackie Brenston's Rocket 88, Wynonie Harris' Who Threw The Whiskey in The Well, and (using his bass voice) You Never Had It So Good. Stick McGhee's Drinkin' Wine Spo Dee O Dee gets a full-tilt Chuck Berry treatment, featuring mostly Kip with a Nappy intro/extro & trading off wine names. It rocks like mad and is only one of many highlights in this well recorded set. (EL)

 
DON BRYANT Hi (UK) HEXCD 50 The Complete Don Bryant on Hi Records ● CD $19.98 $11.98
Two CD set featuring 52 tracks from this fine singerincluding all his singles, starting in 1964, his duets with Marion Brittnam as 1+1, his slo album "Precious Soul", nine demos and 1981 duet with his wife Ann Peebles.

 
SOLOMON BURKE Bizarre/Straight 40101 Homeland ● CD $15.98 $9.98
This 1992 release was Solomon Burke's first new studio recordings in over five years, and worth the wait. Forget any preconceived notions about soul legends attempting to recapture the old magic; Homeland is one fine soul album. From the bluesy opening cut Baby Please Don't Cry, Burke makes it clear that he still deserves all the praise heaped on him over the years. His cover of Otis Redding's Try A Little Tenderness is strong, but the real strength of this album is in the new material. The title track mourns the absence of equality in America, without bitterness, while the music manages to be uplifting - no small trick. Make It Up To You/ What I've Got To Do/ Stayin' Away/ I'll Be There also deserve special attention. (JC)

 
THE CHANTELS Westside 564 We Are The Chantels/ There's Our Song Again ● CD $13.98 $10.98
Now deleted. Two End albums from 1958 and 1962 on one CD featuring this pioneering girl group with the incredible lead vocals of Arlene Smith. Includes their big hit Maybe plus He's Gone/ The Plea/ He's Gone/ Goodbye To Love, etc.
THE CHANTELS: Believe Me My Angel/ C'est Si Bon/ Come My Little Baby/ Congratulations/ Every Night (I Pray)/ Goodbye To Love/ He's Gone/ How Could You Call It Off/ I/ I Love You So/ I'll Walk Alone/ I'm Confessin'/ I'm The Girl/ If You Try/ Ific./ Maybe/ My Darlin'/ My Memories of You/ Never Let Go/ Prayee/ Sure Of Love/ The Plea/ There's Our Song Again/ Whoever You Are

 
DEE CLARK Westside 805 Take Care Of Business ● CD $15.98 $9.98
First ever CD issue of Dee's mid 60s recordings for Constellation - Crossfire Time/ Come Closer/ That's My Girl/ Heartbreak/ I Ain't Gonna Be A Fool, etc.

 
EDDIE COLE & THE THREE PEPPERS Collectables 5331 That's Right! ● CD $11.98 $7.98
CD reissue of Krazy Kat 831. The first nine tracks feature Nat Cole's older brother, the supercool smooth swing vocalist/pianist Eddie Cole, with his rhythm jive unit known variously as His Gang and the Solid Senders. Eddie's vocal style is reminiscent of early Charles Brown and Nat Cole, supported with occasional tasty tenor sax and guitar fills, the latter supplied by Jimmy White. The rest consists of 5 cuts by the pitifully underecorded Three Peppers, who are composed of Roy Branker (piano & tenor lead), Bob Bell (guitar and 2nd tenor),and Walter Williams (bass & baritone vocal). This excellent jive-swing trio sing in the 3 Clefs and 3 Flames vein. One other side by them appeared on the now out of print Clanka Lanka collection. Rare pics and excellent sleeve notes by Dave Penny. (OLN)

 
KING CURTIS Capitol 36504 The Best Of King Curtis ● CD $11.98 $8.98
16 Capitol sides with accompaniments by Billy Butler, George Stubbs, Ernie Hayes, and others - Night Train/ Soul Twist/ Soul Serenade/ Slow Drag/ Strollin' Home/ Tanya/ Hung Over/ More Soul/ A Change Is Gonna Come, etc.
KING CURTIS: A Change Is Gonna Come/ Bill Bailey, Won‘t You Please Come Home/ Hide Away/ Honky Tonk/ Hung Over/ More Soul/ Night Train/ One Mint Julep/ Shake/ Sister Sadie/ Slow Drag/ Soul Serenade/ Soul Twist/ Strollin‘ Home/ Summer Dream/ Tanya

 
KING CURTIS Collectables 5156 Enjoy Records...The Best Of - Golden Classics ● CD $11.98 $9.98
This disc collects 10 Enjoy label sides, including his big hit Soul Twist. Some of these "classics" sure ain't no 14 karat gold, but I bet you'll gyrate to Groovin' With The King/ Sach O'Woe/ the instrumental version of What'd I Say and the sax-less closer Hot Potatoes. Midnight Blue is a mellow nocturnal number with oh-so-good solos by Curtis and his guitarist (most likely Mickey Baker, who steals the spotlight more than once on this disc). Forget about the rest of these sides, especially the two vocal numbers, but get the aforementioned volume or the Edsel release reviewed in this issue at least. (MB)

 
KING CURTIS Collectables 5687 The Best Of King Curtis ● CD $13.98 $10.98
Curtis Ousley's Capitol sides didn't quite have the hard-hitting consistency of his work for other labels, but this CD does have wuite a few gems among its 18 offerings. Check out Soul Twist/Night Train/ Soul Serenade/ Peter Gunn/ Tanya / One Mint Julep and others for some torrid tenoristics.

 
DR. JOHN Master Classics 8034 The Anthology ● CD $14.98 $10.98
20 tracks, 71 min., good
The presumptuous definite article in the title, the undeserved subtitle "Deluxe Edition," (perhaps it refers to the imitation leather cardboard case), and the worse than useless booklet notes are enough to make a man lose faith in capitalism. The notes give the impression that this anthology samples the many Dr. John LPs from the late 1960s through the 1970s. It doesn't. What is left unsaid is that all but six cuts would seem to come from one out-of-print import CD from 1995 called "Cut Me While I'm Hot", which apparently collects its tracks from various '60s sessions that never saw release. This set also carefully avoids any hits. That said, it's actually quite an enjoyable set with solid songs and spirited performances. But why not just reissue the "Cut Me" album? (JC)

 
THE FIVE KEYS Collectables 5472 Golden Classics ● CD $13.98 $9.98
20 tracks, 48 min., recommended
If you always meant to pick up the Five Keys' Capitol CD that featured the groups' best work for that label recorded between 1954-58, including Ling Ting Tong/ Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind/ Wisdom Of A Fool/ Who Do You Know In Heaven/ She's The Most/ The Verdict/ C'est La Vie/ Dream/ One Great Love and others, it's too late -- it went out of print. But wait! It's back again as a Collectable Records release and it's cheap. I mean, inexpensive. Sure, you feel pretty lucky, maybe even a tad smug. But how long can your luck hold out? Push it at your own musical risk. (JC)

 
THE FLAMINGOS Westside 532 Flamingo Serenade/ Flamingo Favorites ● CD $13.98 $11.98
Limited stock - out of print. Two classic End LPs from 1959 & '60 on one CD. Includes their biggest hit I Only Have Eyes For You plus Love Walked In/ Time Was/ Dream Girl and others. Some tracks in stereo for the first time.
THE FLAMINGOS: As Time Goes By/ Begin the Beguine/ Besame Mucho/ Bridge of Tears/ But Not For Me/ Crazy, Crazy, Crazy/ Dream Girl/ Goodnight Sweetheart/ Heavenly Angel/ I Only Have Eye For You/ I'm In The Mood For Love/ Love Walked In/ Marie Elena/ Mio Amore (My Love)/ Music Maetrso Please/ My Foolish Heart/ Sweet and Lovely/ Tell Me How Long/ That's Why I Love You/ The Breese And I/ Time Was/ Where Or When/ You Belong To My Heart/ Yours

 
THE FLAMINGOS Westside 537 Requestfully Yours/ The Sound Of The Flamingos ● CD $13.98 $11.98
Out of print - limited stock. Two albums from 1960 and '62 on one CD. Includes In The Still Of The Night/ Beside You/ Ol' Man River/Moonlight In Vermont and more.
THE FLAMINGOS: At Night/ Beside You/ Danny Boy/ Every Time I Think Of You/ Everybody Knew But Me/ Flame Of Love/ I Know Better/ I Was Such A Fool/ I'm Coming Home/ In the Still of the Night/ Moonlight In Vermont/ My Lovely One/ Never In This World/ Nobody Loves Me Like You/ Ol' Man River/ Tenderly/ The Sinner (El Petador)/ Too Soon To Know/ When I Fall In Love/ When You're Young/ Without His Love/ You'll Never Walk Alone/ You're Mine/ You, Me and the Sea

 
THE FOUR VAGABONDS Document DOCD 5636 Complete Recorded Workd, 1941-51 : Vol. 2 ● CD $15.98 $11.98
24 tracks from 1942/43 radio transcriptions, some with vocalist Patti Clayton - I had The Craziest Dream/ Jukebox Saturday Night/ Can't Get Out Of This Mood/ Three Dreams/ Hasta Luego/ Moonlight Mood/ I Lost My Sugar In Salt Lake City, etc.

 
EARL GAINES Westside WESA 802 Lovin' Blues - The Starday/ King Years, 1967-73 ● CD $15.98 $10.98
25 tracks recorded for the Starday/King owned Deluxe and Hollywood labels between 1967 and 1970, several previously unissued by this fine and versatile singer. Earl, who has recently returned to active recording, is featured on a selection of soul, rhythm & blues and blues.
EARL GAINES: Don't Deceicve Me (please Don't Go) [overdubbed Version]/ Don't Deceive Me (please Don't Go)/ Every Day I Have The Blues/ Finger Lickin' (instrumental)/ From Warm To Cool To Cold/ Fruit From Another Man's Tree/ Good Good Lovin'/ Have Faith (in Me)/ House Full Of Rooms/ I'm The One You Need/ It's Love Baby (24 Hours A Day)/ Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go (thrill On The Hill)/ Little Boy Blue/ My Pillow Stays Wet/ My Woman/ Sixty Minute Man/ Tell Me Tonight/ The Door Is Still Open/ The Meaning Of A Sad Song (medley)/ The Things I Used To Do/ Three Wishes For A Fool/ What In The World Can I Call My Own/ You Belong To Me

 
BARBARA GEORGE Collectables 5141 I Know (You Don't Love Me No More) ● CD $11.98 $8.98
Barbara George was a fine New Orleans singer who scored big hits in the 60s. I Know is a fantastic tune that climbed the charts in 1961. On it, Barbaras vulnerable, pleading delivery is backed by the crem of New Orleans session men. These dozen tunes recorded for AFO show off her range from the very soulful Love and Talk About Love to the cool balladry of Since I Fell For You and Honest I Do. (AE)

 
CHARLIE GONZALES Collectables 5310 Charlie Gonzales ● CD $11.98 $7.98
CD issue of Krazy Kat 810. Charlie Gonzales, alias Bobby Prince, recorded jumps & ballads in the Arthur Prysock vein for Ivin Ballen's Gotham label in 1950. The collection contains mainly laid-back blues ballads sung in a relaxed, polished style, backed by such notable outfits as Frank Motley & The Doc Bagby Orchestra. Includes 8 previously unissued cuts & alternate takes. (OLN)
CHARLIE GONZALES: Every Dog Has His Day/ Every Dog Has His Day/ Hey Mus' I Tell/ Hi-yo Silver/ Hi-yo Silver/ I'm Free/ I'm Free/ I'm Free/ I'm Through With You/ I'm Through With You/ It's All My Fault/ It's All My Fault/ Let Me Make Love To You/ Such A Darn Fool Over You

 
THE HALOS Collectables 5580 Nag - Golden Classics Edition ● CD $13.98 $9.98
16 tracks, 38 min., recommended
Their 1962 album on Warwick is very rare indeed, so if you've been yearning to hear the Halos output in a manner that your spouse would regard as fiscally responsible, this is your chance. Most tracks are upbeat, with at least something of the gritty feel of their one hit, the title track here. Other cuts include Zoom Zoom Zoom, Mean Old World, Crazy Bells, L-O-V-E, For Your Precious Love (a rare ballad), What'd I Say, If I Had Known, and Oh What a Night. Sound quality, notes, and cover art are all to Collectables new, higher standards. (DH)

 
COUNT "RED" HASTINGS Collectables 5323 With Danny Turner & Eddie Wood ● CD $11.98 $8.98
CD issue of Krazy Kat 823. Big sax sound from the Gotham vaults. 10 of the 14 tracks are by Lowell Hastings, who spent most of his year as sideman and sessionman, including long stints with Earl Bostic, Louis Jordan (on X and Aladdin), as well as having his big tenor on dozens of King/ Deluxe sides in the late 50s. These cuts are from the only 2 sessions done under his own name. One each in '48 & '50, including his hits Begin The Beguine & Sugar Cane , plus never before issued alternates of Patches & Miner In The Diner . The set is completed by 2 each by tenor Danny Turner, previously heard on Krazy Kat/ Gotham with Panama Francis All Stars, and since '75 a member of the Basie Orchestra, and unknown Eddie Woodland.

 
FRED HUGHES/ JOHNNY SAYLES Westside WESM 613 Baby Man/ Man On The Inside ● CD $13.98 $10.98
Two rare albums from the 70s originally on Brunswick and Dakar reissued on CD for the first time. Includes a 1970 remake of Hughes' 1965 hit Ooh Wee Baby I Love You.

 
THE INK SPOTS Fabulous 150 Greatest Hits ● CD $7.98 $5.98
18 tracks, 53 mins, recommended
Inexpensive introduction to this fine and influential vocal group featuring some of their most popular sides recorded in the mid/ late 30s - If I Didn't Care/ My Prayer/ Whispering Grass/ We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me)/ Do I Worry/ To Each His Own/ You Aways Hurt The One You LOve/ Peple Will Say We're In Love/ I Can't Give You Anything But Love and more. Excellent sound and brief notes. (FS)
THE INKSPOTS: Address Unknown/ Blueberry Hill/ Do I Worry/ I Can't Give You Anything But Love/ If I Didn't Care/ It's A Sin To Tell A Lie/ Java Jive/ Maybe/ My Prayer/ People Will Say We're In Love/ Stardust/ The Gypsy/ To Each His Own/ We Three (my Echo ,my Shadow And Me)/ When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano/ Whispering Grass/ You Always Hurt The One You Love

 
BIG DEE IRWIN Westside 511 Another Night With Big Dee Irwin ● CD $13.98 $9.98
25 tracks from this R&B/pop singer from 1957 through 1964 cut for Hull, Dimension & Roulette, several previously unissued. Includes tracks as leader of the vocal group The Pastels and duets with Little Eva.

 
BILL JENNINGS & RAY BRYANT Collectables 5338 Stompin' With Bill .. And Ray Bryant ● CD $11.98 $7.98
14 tracks, 42 mins, recommended
Originally issued on LP Krazy Kat 838. 14 more Gotham recordings, almost all either unreleased takes or previously unissued titles. We start off with 5 tunes by former Louie Jordan & The Tympany Five guitarist Bill Jennings. He jumps like mad on Stompin' With Bill , tries a slow blues and a rhumba, then gets jazzy with Alexandria, VA before reprising Stompin' (an alternate take.) Some fine guitar pickin' for sure. And speaking of fine pickin' who better but the master himself, Tiny Grimes, to finish off the side with St. Louis Blues and Frankie And Johnny Boogie , both really rockin' sides. Pianist Ray Bryant is another cat who needs no introduction. He shows his deft touch on the 88's on 5 numbers including a cool instrumental version of Flat Foot Floojie (sic.) Cuts by Billy 'Guitar' Davis and Gay Crosse & His Good Humor Six round out a fine LP. ( AE)

 
PAUL KELLY Bullseye Blues 9523 Gonna Stick And Stay ● CD $15.98 $11.98
11 tracks, 39 min., recommended. Miami-based sweet soul singing Paul Kelly has never rightly received his due. Back in 1972-73, he cut two touchingly beautiful, and unacclaimed albums featuring such memorable gems as Hangin' On In There/ Don't Burn Me. On this set, his welcome comeback, Kelly (whose voice sounds a pleasant mix of Joe Tex and Joe Simon) honey-wails on one of the most haunting soul ballads waxed in recent months - Baby, Baby, Come Back And Stay, alone worth the price of this set. Other impressions include Personally/ I'm Gonna Be Holdin' On. All songs are self-penned, and there is even an accordion on one cut. Someone ought to give this guy a TV special. (OLN)

 
THE KELLY BROTHERS Excello 3006 Sanctified Southern Soul ● CD $14.98 $9.98
28 tracks, 75 min., recommended This powerful brother act first entered a studio in the mid-50's as a gospel act, recording as such for Chance (unreleased), Brewer, Vee-Jay, and Federal. Their first secular sides came for the King label, where they were known as the King Pins. And between 1964 and 1967 they cut the heavily gospel-influenced soul sides offered here for the Sims/Excello labels. Featured numbers include Falling in Love Again, My Love Grows Stronger, Time Has Made Me Change, Love Time, You Put Your Touch on Me, I Just Walk On, That's How I Am, Stop Those Tears, It Takes You, and My Baby Loves Me. Notes, sound quality and photos are all first rate here. (DH)

 
FRANKIE LEE HMG 5501 The Ladies And The Babies ● CD $12.98 $8.98
Reissue of 1984 debut album by excellent Bay Area R&B vocalist. This album effectively mixes blues and soul to create music that is contemporary yet has an earthy bluesy quality to it. Frankie is a fine and expressive singer and has some good songs here, several written by Dennis Walker. Excellent arrangements with effective use of horns arranged by Miles Grayson and good guitar by Frankie's regular guitarist Bobby "Mr. Goodfingers" Murray.

 
 

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