Dad had a couple different versions of Blues In The Closet, but this version by The Tritones, is my favorite. Jamie Records was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1957 by Harold Lipsius.
With the help and promotion of Dick Clark and his American Bandstand television program they were able to transform the small label into a major independent record label with numerous hits and million-sellers from artists like Duane Eddy. This 45 from 1957 is one of their early releases.
Jimmy Forrest is famous for his first solo recording of "Night Train", with its hook and classic tenor solo. He recorded frequently as both a sideman and a bandleader. "Night Train" reached #1 on the Billboard R&B chart in March 1952, and stayed at the top for seven weeks. "Hey Mrs. Jones" (#3 R&B) and "Bolo Blues" were his other major hits. All were made for United Records, which recorded Forrest between 1951 and 1953. I always think of stripper scenes in old films when I hear this music.
Bill Doggett's Honky Tonk (Parts 1&2) from 1956 is a bona fide early R&B instrumental classic. It was a number one R&B single, spending thirteen non consecutive weeks at the number one spot. In fact, "Honky Tonk" was the biggest R&B single of 1956. It was featured prominently in David Lynch's brilliant 1986 film, Blue Velvet.
This followup comes from a 78 on the King Records label. It's very similar to the original, but has this great "call and response" pattern where the sax plays a riff and then the guys in the band sing the riff back. Great stuff!
Jan August was an American pianist and xylophonist. He had a hit with version of "Misirlou" in 1947 with Carl Frederick Tandberg. He had with several other songs that blended classical styles and Latin beats.This song is an old boogie woogie number penned by a Charles Davenport that has an almost ragtime feel to it.
This rare split 45 from 1963, was used to promote the Northridge Records album "SURFS UP! AT BANZI-PIPELINE, The band on the A-side is The Original Surfaris, who were from Anaheim and not to be confused with the other Surfaris band from Glendale who had the hit 'Wipeout'. This song is one of the fiercest surf rock tunes of all time and a personal fave. The band around this time consisted of
- Piano : Al VALDEZ
- Drums : Mike BIONDO
- Guitar : Bobby ESCO
- Guitar : Larry WEED
- Saxophone : Doug WISEMAN
- Bass : Jim TRAN
- The B-side feature The Biscaynes' version of another surf classic 'Chuch Key'. Back in the day before the invention of pop top cans, they called those flat metal bottle/can openers church keys. This single also had a release on the Reprise label.
Yes indeed, I also have some old 78 records of dad's that I will be sharing. He often retold the story of my tipping over a tall narrow dresser that had a bunch of 78s stacked on top when I was a toddler. I guess many of them were broken, but those that survived are here for your enjoyment... Like this one.
| BILL DOGGETT QT | QUAKER CITY - 1955 |
Such a great record! Another one that I always wanted my dad to play back in the day when we lived in La Puente.
This Sue Records 45 is a different version than the one on the Cold Turkey album and the better one imhop.
The Ray Bryant Trio at this time consisted of Ray on piano, Jimmy Rowser on bass and Ben Riley on the skins.
