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NEWSLETTER #138
Rhythm & Blues, Soul & Doo-Wop
Homer Banks ->
The Valentines
 

 

 
 

NEW DVDS

 
NOTE: Unless otherwise noted all DVDs offered are in NTSC format which means that they will not play on a European DVD players unless you have a multiple format player.
 
 
RAY CHARLES Eagle Eye 39070 Live In Concert With The Edmonton Symphony ● DVD $10.98
Color, 12 tracks, 48 min., highly recommended
Recorded live at the Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton, Canada, for ITV in 1981, this short set (is 48 minutes a teevee hour?) finds the late genius moving through familiar territory (Hit The Road Jack, Georgia On My Mind, I Can't Stop Loving You, What'd I Say, America The Beautiful) with the unfamiliar Edmonton Symphony sympathetically accompanying but by no means overpowering him. About half way through (right after Some Enchanted Evening), Mr. Charles calls five Raelettes out to share one microphone in a pleasing if occasionally superfluous series of accompanying performances. But most of the time the camera is pointed straight at Brother Ray, and that's as it should be. What good are flashlights next to a supernova? With every song Charles convinces his audience all over again that he's not just deserving of the high praise heaped on him over the years, he's better. This is what real charisma means, the look and sound of true talent. (JC)

 
RAY CHARLES Rhino 70389 O-Genio - Live In Brazil, 1963 ● DVD $14.98
Amazing, recently discovered, TV broadcast of Ray recorded live in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1963 when he was at his peak. He is featured with his Orchestra and The Raelettes on two complete shows, filmed in black and white, which are shown complete with Brazilian commercials. Songs include What'd I Say/ Don't Set Me Free/ In The Evening (When The Sun Goes Down)/ Margie/ Hallelujah I Love Her So/ Moanin'/ Take These Chains From My Heart/ You Are My Sunshine, etc. A number of the songs are repeated in both sets.

 

NEW COMPACT DISCS

 
JAMES BLACK Night Train 7105 (I Need) Altitude ● CD $15.98
A collection of New Orleans jazz and funk recorded in the 70s and early 80s featuring drummer James Black with various groups. Includes vocals by Mary Jane Hooper, Eddie Bo, James Black and Sister Mary.

 
SOLOMON BURKE Shout Factory 34341 Soul Of The Blues ● CD $11.98
12 tracks, 54 min., highly recommended
Whether at Atlantic Records or elsewhere, Solomon Burke has spent his recording career (he has about a dozen careers going at any one time) making fine albums. Most of them have been ignored by most, but in the last few years he's garnered some of the attention he's always deserved. Originally released in 1993 as Black Top BT-1095, this album finds him personalizing a twelve pack of bluesy chestnuts like Lonesome Highway, made memorable by Percy Mayfield, and Roy Brown's Good Rockin' Tonight. And have no doubt, Bishop Burke still has enough power, soul, and intensity in his voice to make the world turn just a little bit smoother than usual. A winner all the way. (JC)

 
SOLOMON BURKE Shout Factory 34342 Live At The The House Of Blues ● CD $11.98
12 tracks, 71 min., highly recommended
They call him the King of Rock & Soul because one genre just isn't big enough. His voice is plenty big, though, and anytime you doubt Burke's greatness, just have a listen to this live show, recorded in 1994 at the House Of The Blues in New Orleans (originally released on Black Top BT-1108 in 1995 when the W. C. Handy Blues Awards named it "Soul-Blues Album Of The Year"). Burke sings his own Cruel World, Down In The Valley, Just A Matter Of Time and others, including Wilson Pickett's If You Need Me, Roy Brown's Good Rockin' TonightI Almost Lost My Mind and a few others. No extra tracks but a welcome reissue nonetheless. (JC)

 
BOBBY CHARLES Bogalusa 350 Last Train To Memphis ● CD $16.98
2 CDs, 34 tracks, 131 min., highly recommended
Bobby Charles authored Bill Haley's See You Later Alligator and Fats Domino's trademark Walking To New Orleans. But although known primarily as a song writer, Charles was a fine performer too, as his now legendary 1972 eponymously titled LP on Bearsville (produced by Rick Danko of The Band) will attest. This CD collects songs recorded between 1979-2001 and includes a "Bonus" disc of his Rice & Gravy Records material. Remarkably, both discs sound of a piece, and while the release is a hodgepodge, it sounds so unified listeners might think the varied recording dates must be wrong. All of which is just to say that Charles' easy going style is timeless. He's joined on various tracks by Delbert McClinton, Willie Nelson, Charles "Frogman" Henry, Geoff Muldar, guitarist non peril Sonny Landreth, Maria Muldar, Eddie Hinton, Neil Young, Fats Domino, and others. Songs include the title track, The Legend Of Jolie Blonde, Everyday, Goin' Fishin', Forever And Always, The Jealous Kind, Ambushin' Bastard, But I Do, Angel Eyes, and more. Not likely to stay in print forever, but worthy of it. (JC)

 
RAY CHARLES Rhino Handmade 7826 In Concert ● CD $45.98
2 CDs, 29 tracks, 121 min., highly recommended
Part of Rhino Records' Handmade series with a limited numbered release of 5000 copies. The concept here it to collect the best moments from a handful of Ray's live releases in order to represent the prolific period between 1958-75. So tracks are drawn from At Newport (1958), In Person (1959), Berlin, 1962, Live In Concert (on ABC-Paramount from 1964), and Live In Japan (1975). The songs, presented chronologically, boast generally wonderful sound quality, and, sensibly, no title duplication. Annoyingly, the notes are printed on a multi-fold sheet rather than a true booklet, but otherwise "In Concert" is a worthwhile addition to the massive Charles catalog, especially for those who don't already have a lot of live Ray. (Many of the selections are currently out of print in any other form.) Songs include (Night Time) Is The Right Time, A Fool For You, Yes, Indeed, What'd I Say, Hit The Road Jack, Georgia On My Mind, Hallelujah I Lover Her So, I've Got A Woman, I Can't Stop Loving You, Feel So Bad, Living For The City, and more. (JC)

 
THE COOKIES Chocolate Chip 4001 The Absolute Complete (And Oh So Sweet) ● CD $17.98
26 tracks, 65 min., highly recommended
Margie Hendrix, Ethyl "Earl-Jean" McCrea, and Pat Lyles comprised the first Cookies, recorded for Aladdin's Lamp imprint, and in 1955 moved to Atlantic Records where Ray Charles transformed them into the Raelettes, but not before they had a hit with In Paradise. The second incarnation of the Cookies kept McCrea and added Dorothy Jones and Margaret Ross and essentially became a secondary song dump for Brill Building occupants Goffin and King. Still the Cookies sang whatever they were given with such vivacity and energy that they redeemed it, turning imperfections into endearing moments, as hits such as Chains, Don't Say Nothing Bad About My Baby, and Girls Grow Up Faster Than Boys document. As the title states, this CD collects the works of both Cookies groups and adds four Earl-Jean solo tracks, including the original version of I'm Into Something Good, later a sizable hit for Herman's Hermits. No booklet notes with this one. (Note: This has 10 more tracks than the out-of-print Sequel Records release, which collected the Dimension sides only.) (JC)

 
DON COVAY RPM 292 Superdude : The Mercury Years, Vol. 1 .. Plus ● CD $16.98
The first 12 tracks on this CD reissues Covay's acclaimed 1973 "Superdude" album which includes his top ten R&B hit I Was Checkin' Out She Was Checkin' In. The remaining six tracks are drawn from his 1971 Janus LP "Different Strokes".

 
JAMES "SUGAR BOY" CRAWFORD Classics 5143 The Chronological "Sugar Boy" Crawford : 1953-1954 ● CD $14.98
24 tracks, 65 mins, highly recommended
24 cuts featuring all the sides Crawford cut for Checker in 1953 and '54 except for a few unissued titles. Crawford was more of a purist than the other Chess New Orleans artists, giving these tracks (many of which were unissued for years) a classic horn and piano-driven sound. Includes one of the earliest "Iko-Iko" variations Jock-O Mo, plus Overboard/ I Bowed On My Knees/ No More Heartaches/ Please Believe Me/ Night Rider/ Honey/ Stop/ Troubled In Mind/ If I Loved You Darling. He is accompanied by top notch New Orleans bands including Alfred Bernard & David Lastie on saxes, Snooks Eaglin/ guitar, Frank Fields/ bass and others. Includes a couple of vocals by Snooks and a couple by Slim Saunders.

 
SCATMAN CROTHERS Hydra 27126 I Want To Rock 'n' Roll ● CD $22.98
Best known for his movie acting Benjamin "Scatman" Crothers also had a lengthy musical career cutting over 100 sides between 1938 and 1983. This set features 30 of those tracks including scatting jazz, R&B, covers of rock 'n' roll hits, pop ballads and more. Includes 24 page booklet with extensive notes, vintage illustrations and a (rather confusing) discography.

 
LARRY DARNELL Classics 5145 The Chronological Larry Darnell, 1949-1951 ● CD $14.98
The first 25 sides recorded by this fine R&B singer. Though born in Ohio, Larry ended up in New Orleans in the late 40s where he teamed up with producer/ bandleader Paul Gayten and recorded extensively for Regal records. This set includes all his Regal sides including big hits like For You My Love/ I'll Get Along Somehow, Part 1 & 2/ I Love My Baby and others. The disc ends with his first session for OKeh in 1951. 25 tracks in all.

 
BO DIDDLEY & MAINSQUEEZE Universe 143 Vamp ● CD $17.98
Rock 'n' roll pioneer recorded live at various locations in Europe in 1984 with British band including Eric Bell/ guitar, Dick Heckstall-Smith/ saxophone, Dave Moore/ keyboards, etc. Includes Bo Diddley/ Everleen/ You Can't Judge A Book/ I'm A Man, etc.

 
DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND Shout Factory 31782 This Is The Dirty Dozen Brass Band Collection ● CD $18.98
15 tracks, 79 min., highly recommended
An untraditional traditional-style New Orleans brass band that was as much about tomorrow as yesterday. The Dozen punch out Just A Closer Walk With Thee and Jelly Roll Morton's Freakish as easily as the Meter's Cissy Strut or tenor sax man Kevin Harris' own Unclean Waters. They accept all musical traditions that come their way and polish them until you can see yourself. This disc compiles some of the Dozen's brightest notes between 1984-2004. One prize is their cover of Dizzy Gillespie's Oop Pop A Dah, which features scat vocals and trumpet from Mr. Gillespie himself. Eddie Bo adds guest piano on Don't You Feel My Leg, while Danny Barker sits in on guitar and sings. Not that the DDBB need guest musicians. They don't. Every song here cooks. (JC)

 
DR. JOHN Master Classics 8034 The Anthology ● CD $14.98
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 ROYALES Ace CDCHD 1038 It's Hard But It's Fair - The King Hits And Rarities ● CD $16.98
26 tracks, 72 mins, highly recommended
The best of the King recordings ('54-60) by this, one of the greatest R&B vocal groups, featuring the guitar, bass voice & writing of the great Lowman Pauling & the lead vocals for Johnny Tanner. Most of the tunes are Pauling originals, the remaining few from the King stable of writers. Of course this includes their two tunes best known for being cover hits for others, & both written by Pauling, Think, a huge early hit for label-mate James Brown, & Dedicated To The One I Love, which cuts the other versions to shame! Includes other great sides like My Wants For Love/ I Can't Stand Losing You/ I Need Your Lovin' Baby/ Behave Yourself/ I Ain't Gettin' Caught/ The Feeling Is Real and others. Includes 16 page illustrated booklet with notes by Tony Rounce and tributes from Steve Cropper and Billy Vera. (GM/ FS)
THE FIVE ROYALES: (something Moves Me) Within My Heart/ Behave Yourself/ Dedicated To The One I Love/ Do Unto You/ Don't Give No More Than You Can Take/ Every Dog Has His Day/ I Ain't Getting Caught/ I Can't Stand Losing You/ I Could Love You/ I Know It's Hard But It's Fair/ I Need Your Lovin' Baby/ I'm Gonna Run It Down/ I'm With You/ It Hurts Inside/ Mine Forevermore/ Mohawk Squaw/ My Wants For Love/ One Mistake/ Say It/ Tell The Truth/ The Feeling Is Real/ The Slummer The Slum/ Think/ Why/ Women About To Make Me Go Crazy/ Your Only Love

 
JIMMY BO HORNE Henry Stone Music 25010 The Legendary Henry Stone Presents Jimmy Bo Horne ● CD $11.98
16 tracks, 50 min, recommended
Cross section of long time singer for Henry Stone's various TK labels (Dade, Sunshine, TK), starting with his first single from '67, I Can't Speak, & his first hit Clean Up Man, his first big hit from '72 on Alston, as well as cuts from the LP he made where he was backed by KC & The Sunshine Band - Get Happy/ Gimme Some, etc.. Much of the material written by KC (Howie Kacy) or Clarence Reid (AKA Blowfly). (GM)

 
JOE HUNTER Soul-Tay-Shus 6355 The Hawk ● CD $15.98
A collection of 18 tracks of Detroit R&B featuring or produced by Joe Hunter who later went on to become leader of the MOtown session band now known as The Funk Brothers. Includes sides by J.J. Barnes, The Del_Phi's (later to become Martha Reeves & The Vandellas), The Magnificent Seven, The Checkers, Renaldo Jackson and others. Includes several previously unreleased demos and has 8 page fold-out booklet with extensive notes by Kevin Goins.

 
BENNY LATIMORE Henry Stone Music 25001 The Early Years ● CD $11.98
16 tracks, 44 min., highly recommended
Best known for his 1970s recordings on the Henry Stone's Glades label (where he recorded only as Latimore), including a baker's dozen of R&B charted hits, Benjamin Latimore cut his teeth at Henry Stone's Dade label in the mid-1960s. In 1964 he was the opening act for Steve Alaimo and by 1967 Alaimo was producing his singles. But his handful of horn-charged 45s, including the razor-sharp It Was So Nice While It Lasted b/w There She Is, was not enough, and despite a compelling voice that lives somewhere between Bobby "Blue" Bland and a deeper version of Jerry "Swamp Dogg" Williams, Jr., Mr. Latimore failed to convince the record buying public to part with their hard-earned money. Bet they're kicking themselves now. Nice to see this early rare material in print. (JC)
BENNY LATIMORE: Ain't Gonna Cry No More/ Girl I Got News For You/ Have A Little Faith/ I Can't Go On/ I Pity The Fool/ I'm A Believer/ I'm Just An Ordinary Man/ It Was So Nice While It Lasted/ It's Just A Matter Of Time/ IŽll Be Good To You/ Life's Little Ups And Downs/ Love Don't Love Me/ Moove And Groove Together/ Rain From The Sky/ The Power And The Glory/ There She Is

 
CLYDE MCPHATTER & THE DRIFTERS Classics 5142 The Chronological Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters ● CD $14.98
This CD reissues the complete issued recordings of Clyde McPhatter's original Drifters, from the group's inception in mid-1953 until McPhatter's involvement ended in late 1954. Includes Lucille/ Money Honey/ Let The Boogie Woogie Roll/ Such A Night/ The Bells Of St. Mary's/ Honey Love/ There You Go/ Hot Ziggity, etc.

 
ELLA MAE MORSE Jasmine 418 The Morse Code ● CD $15.98
Two CD set with 50 sides recorded between 1942 and 1954 by this popular vocalist who combined country, pop, and R&B influences into a pleasing conglomeration that, at times, sounds like the beginnings of rock 'n' roll. It features in a variety of settings including tracks with a small group led by fine boogie pianist Freddie Slack as well as larger orchestras and includes a duet with Tennessee Ernie Ford on False Hearted Girl.

 
THE OLYMPICS Acrobat 4055 Arvee Singles Plus ● CD $13.98
27 tracks, 66 min, highly recommended
The Olympics have a long recording history, from '58's Western Movies through '66's original version of Good Lovin'. This set concentrates on their '60-61 recordings for the small L.A. label ArVee, & includes all their 45 rpm sides along with a host of LP tracks. Of course their best known tracks from this period are all here incl uding their hit remake of Big Boy Pete plus (Baby) Hully Gully (which was ripped off by The Marathons to become Peanut Butter which resulted in lawsuits), Little Pedro/ Dance By the Light Of the Moon/ Private Eye/ Boo Dee Green, etc. Booklet with full liner notes. (GM)
THE OLYMPICS: (baby) Hully Gully/ Baby It's Hot/ Big Boy Pete/ Big Chief Little Puss/ Boo Dee Green/ Brand New Tennessee Waltz/ Dance By The Light Of The Moon/ Dodge City/ Dooley/ Everybody Likes To Cha Cha Cha/ Hoochie Coochie Coo/ I'll Never Fall In Love/ Little Pedro/ Madison Time/ Mash Them 'taters/ Party Pooper/ Pony Time/ Private Eye/ Save The Last Dance For Me/ Shimmy Like Kate/ Stay Away From Joe/ Stay Where You Are/ The Scotch/ The Slop/ The Stomp/ The Twist/ What'd I Say/ Workin' Hard

 
JOHNNY OTIS Acrobat 4199 Jukebox Hits 1946-1954 ● CD $13.98
20 tracks, 59 min, highly recommended
As you can see, this stops at '54, so it preludes his Johnny Otis Show sides for Capitol, so no Willie & The Hand Jive. Also, for some reason it doesn't have his first hit Harlem Nocturne. The first track is actually a ringer - it's the gorgeous Driftin' Blues by Charles Brown backed by Johnny Moore's 3 Blazers, but it does have Johnny on drums! Most of the rest are The Johnny Otis Orch/ Quintet/ Congregation, done for Savoy, but were better known as by their vocalists - many are by Little Esther, Mel Walker & duets by the two, as well as The Robins (who split & helped make up the Coasters) which includes such greats as Double Crossing Blues/ Gee Baby/ Wedding Boogie/ Mambo Boogie, & All Night Long which has a rare Otis vocal. The final 2 songs are also outside projects - Please Forgive Me with Otis's orch backing Johnny Ace, & the immortal Hound Dog by Big Mama Thornton with Otis's group masquerading as Kansas City Bill Orch! (GM)

 
THE OVATIONS Kent CDKEND 246 Featuring Louis Williams - The Goldwax Recordings ● CD $18.98
26 tracks, 68 mins, essential
The Ovations trio came together in the early 60's around the delicate soulful lead of Louis Williams, who still comes closest to matching the yodeling acrobatics of the late Sam Cooke. Right up to 1972, when they switched from Goldwax (under the firm direction of Quinton M. Claunch and Rudy Russell) to The Sounds Of Memphis label, this oufit cut some fine Southern soul drippings like I'm Living Good/ Don't Cry/ Me And My Imagination/ Peace Of Mind in a style one thinks Sam would have been pleased with. This new CD features almost their entire Goldwax output - all the singles, one previously unreleased tracks and eight tracks that were only available on long out print Japanese releases. Includesd 16 page, ful color booklet with extensive notes by Martin Goggin, rare photos and their Goldwax discography. Essential 60s soul. (OLN/ FS)

 
RED PRYSOCK AVI CD 5012 The Best Of Red Prysock ● CD $15.98
24 tracks, 63 min., recommended
We've turned up some copies of this fine out of print album. If a sax solo wasn't mandatory in 1950's rock and roll songs, it might as well have been. Wilbert Red Prysock had something to do with that, as he honked his way through more that a few of Alan Freed's rock and roll shows, sharing the bill with Fats Domino, Joe Turner, The Moonglows, The Harptones, The Drifters, The Clovers, and others. This disc collects 2 doz. of the best singles and LP tracks from Red's Mercury/Wing waxings, including Paquino Walk/ Little Jamie/ Hand Clappin'/ Fruit Boots/ Rock And Roll Party, and other opportunities for RP to shred the air with his horn. (Note: Red Prysock's Red Robin material is available on Relic Records CD "Bobby's Boogie".) (JC)

 
J.P. ROBINSON Henry Stone Music 25008 Classic R&B From The 60s ● CD $11.98
11 tracks, 30 min, recommended
The subtitle of the LP says it all - First Full Length Album Ever!" Between '68 & '70 Robinson released seven singles for Henry Stone's Alston label, but never got around to an LP. This set has 11 of his 14 released tracks (why not all? there's plenty of room left!) with most of the tunes written by the crack team of Clarence Reid (AKA Blowfly) & Willie Clarke. Includes such fine soul & funk tunes as I Got Your Thing On A String/ Keep On Holding On/ Please Accept My Call., etc. (GM)

 
THE ROYALS Ace CDCHD 1054 Featuring Charles Sutton & Hank Ballard - The Federal S ● CD $18.98
Before they were Hank Ballard & The Midnighters they were just The Midnighters and, before that, The Royals. This set features 25 tracks recorded between 1952 and 1954 including two from their first session before Ballard joined them including the original recording of Every Beat Of My Heart (here without the usual overdubbed rhythm section) which was a big hit for Gladys Knight & The Pips nine years later. Includes the hits Get It and Work With Me Annie as well as fine lesser known tracks like All Night Long/ Starting From Tonight/ A Love In My Heart/ Are You Forgetting/ No, It Aint and others. Includes previously unissued alternate takes of Work With Me Annie and Shrine Of St. Cecilia

 
CHUCK SIMMONS Funky Delicacies 050 Hustler's Strut ● CD $16.98
16 tracks, 58 min, recommended
A 15-year association with producer-arranger Wardell Quezerque left Chuck Simmons hitless but with an impressive catalog of soul and funk sides. Former member of the obscure The Unemployed (w/ Quezerque), who cut sides for Atlantic's Cotillion logo, Simmons (who had a rather limited voice that was pushed to its limits and beyond regularly) spent most of his time focussed on his solo careeer -- that is, when he wasn't working his day job as a mechanic. His contributions to the funk dynasty include Funky Broom, Hustler's Strut Parts 1 & 2, Lay It On Me Parts 1 & 2 (which is Hustler's Strut with different vocals), and Doin' The Sissy, cut as Charlie Simmons and the Imperials. His more soulful side is featured on Don't Send Me No Doctor, recorded with Allen Toussaint at his Sea-Saint Recording Studio, Run Away and You're Not The One For Me (both ballads!) and I'm Wondering, a should-have-been hit and the finest cut here. Contains informative booklet notes and four songs previously unavailable on CD. (JC)

 
THE VALENTINES Rama 171 The Complete Valentines Featuring Richard Barrett ● CD $17.98
27 tracks by this fine Harlem group featuring the lead vocals of Richard Barrett. It features all their issued recordings cut between 1954 and '57 - most with accompaniment by the fine Jimmy Wright Combo. It also includes four originally unissued songs, five alternate takes (some with false starts) and two live performances from the Alan Freed Show. Their greatest claim to fame is that their song the Woo Woo Train was adopted as the theme song of beloved Boston D.J. Arnie Ginsburg but they perform a fine selection of ballads and uptempo numbers including Tonight Kathleen/ Falling For You/ Christmas Prayer/ Why/ Nature's Creation/ I Cried Oh Oh/ If You Love Me Pretty Baby/ Rock With Joe Smith, etc.

 

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