Shirley & Lee: I'm Gone (1952)

I'm Gone
written by Dave Bartholomew and Leonard Lee
performed by Shirley & Lee with Dave Bartholomew & His Orchestra
recorded in New Orleans, LA, 24 June 1952
issued as Aladdin 3153 in November 1952

The "Sweethearts of the Blues," Shirley Goodman and Leonard Lee, had 20 singles issued on Eddie and Leo Messner's Aladdin label between 1952 and 1959. This was their first release, reaching #2 during the winter of '52-53.

Jimmy Ricks: Too Soon (1952)

Too Soon
written by Sonny Skylar & Bob Harris
performed by Jimmy Ricks with Nook Schreier & His Orchestra
recorded in June 1952
issued as Mercury 8296 in August 1952

Two years after his efforts with Benny Goodman for Columbia, this was Jimmy Rick's second release independent of The Ravens.

With the exception of Lee Gaines, I can not think of any other bass singers, of that era, that had the range that Ricks had, not only musically but vocally. He could sing any style. The more I listen to these solo recording, the more I realize just how talented a singer Jimmy Ricks really was. If you need further proof, list him along with Jimmy Rushing and Joe Williams as one of Count Basie's band singers, singing with Basie for a few years before his death on 2 July 1974.

Benny Goodman & His Sextet: Oh, Babe! (1950)

Oh, Babe!
written by Louis Prima & Milton Kabak
performed by Benny Goodman & His Sextet
recorded 10 October 1950
issued later that same month as Columbia 39045

Benny Goodman - clarinet
Teddy Wilson - piano
Terry Snyder - drums
Terry Gibbs - vibes
Johnny Smith - guitar
Bob Carter - bass

Jimmy "Rickey" Ricks is heard, on the "vocal chorus" along with, uncredited, Nancy Reed. It is not know if it is the band or The Ravens helping with the "call-and-response" vocals during the middle portion of this recording. The group had just been signed to the label from National, but they may had some contractual obligations. So, that might explain Ricks' odd billing on these sides.

For me, it is always a treat to share recordings that feature hometown musicians, like Louisville native Johnny Smith. This might not be the most exciting or inspired performances from BG or the rest of the group, but this has to be one of my desert island recordings.

The Checkers: Night's Curtains (1952)

Night's Curtains
written by Irwin "Teddy" Williams and Julia Blackshear
performed by The Checkers
recorded 19 September 1952
issued as King 4581 in November 1952

The Checkers here were John Carnegie (lead), Charlie White (1st tenor), Irwin "Teddy" Williams (2nd tenor), a baritone named "Joe" or "Buddy" and Bill Brown (bass). This was their second of ten released on Syd Nathan's King label.

Fats Domino: Nobody Loves Me (1953)

Nobody Loves Me
written by Antoine Domino
performed by Fats Domino
recorded at the J&M Studio, New Orleans, LA, 10 September 1952
issued as Imperial 5220 in January 1953

Antoine "Fats" Domino - vocal and piano
Emmett Fortner - alto sax
Herb Hardesty - tenor sax
Walter "Papoose" Nelson - guitar
Frank Fields - bass
Cornelius "Tenoo" Coleman - drums

This single did something that none of the other four singles issued in 1953 did - failed to chart!

The Three Bits of Rhythm: Bronzeville Jump (1941)

Bronzeville Jump
written by Bruce Williams, Theodore Rudolph, Solomon Longeneur, and Nance
performed by The Three Bits of Rhythm
recorded 13 March 1941
issued as Decca 8553 in June 1941

Theodore "Fate" Rudolph (bass), Bruce Williams, and Solomon Laugenour (guitars) - The Three Bits of Rhythm! Other than they recorded for Decca and Modern Music during the early to mid 1940s, I know nothing else about this wonderful group.

Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra: Oh Boy (1935)

Oh Boy
written by Eddie Durham & Jimmie Lunceford
performed by Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra
recorded in New York, NY, 23 September 1935
issued as Decca 628 in December 1935

Eddie Tompkins, Paul Webster, Sy Oliver - trumpet
Elmer Crumbley, Russell Bowles, Eddie Durham - trombone
Willie Smith, Laforest Dent, Dan Grissom, Earl Carruthers, Joe Thomas - reeds
Edwin Wilcox - piano
Al Norris - guitar
Moses Allen - bass
Jimmy Crawford - drums

Billy Joel: The Longest Time (1983)

The Longest Time
written by Billy Joel
performed by Billy Joel
recorded at Chelsea Sound and A&R Recording, Inc., in New York, NY, in the Spring 1983
originally released on his "An Innocent Man" album (Columbia QC 38837) on 9 August 1983
single issued as Columbia 39-04400 in March 1984

In the summer of 1983, when the album was released, oldies station WCBS-FM opted to play "The Longest Time" in regular rotation along with the first single "Tell Her About It". At that time, WCBS-FM mixed in some new songs with the oldies. The song got very favorable reviews and the public wanted "The Longest Time" to be the follow up single. Instead, Columbia chose "Uptown Girl" as the second single. Late in November, "The Longest Time" was again passed over for the title song from the album, "An Innocent Man". "The Longest Time" was finally released as the album's forth single.

By the way, Joel takes all 14 vocal parts in this recording. You can listen to the single version or, if you wish, check out the original music video.

The Five Keys: Be Anything But Be Mine (1952)

Be Anything But Be Mine
written by Irving Gordon
performed by The Five Keys
recorded at the RCA Studios in New York, NY, 4 March 1952
issued as Aladdin 3127 in April 1952

From Newport News, Virginia, The Five Keys were brothers Rudy (1st tenor) and Bernie West (bass), Maryland Pierce (2nd tenor), Ripley Ingram (octave tenor), and Dickie Smith (baritone).

The Falcons: This Heart Of Mine (1959)

This Heart Of Mine
written by Bob Hamilton & Sonny Woods
performed by The Falcons
issued as Chess 1743 in October 1959

It might be near impossible to truly express the importance of this group in the history of American music in the 20th Century. I can't think of too many other groups that bridged the old "street corner sound" with the new "gospel edged" style soon to be known as soul better than The Falcons. From Detroit, MI, they were Eddie Floyd (lead), Joe Stubbs (tenor), Mack Rice (baritone), Willie Schofield (bass), and Lance Finnie (guitar).

Listen to the lyrics of this beautiful song! This has been one of my personal theme songs for a long time. The scene I imagine is someone kneeling next to their bed praying or lying in bed dreaming of that special someone that remains unrequited. Maybe she knows he likes her or maybe she doesn't because he has not the words to say if he is interested or not. All he really wants is to know is she loves him in return. So, he imagines the best case scenario in his mind, just to ease the pain.

I am really not sure where this recording came from. One version was issued in May 1958 on Robert West's Kudo label. I am fairly sure this was leased to Chess from West but, it is not clear if this was an alternate take from the Kudo session or from a different date altogether. I know, the Kudo original and an alternate take, issued on The Chess Rhythm & Roll Box Set as the "issued take," have been released on compact disc. To my knowledge, this recording has not.

Jimmy Holiday: How Can I Forget? (1963)

How Can I Forget?
written by Ed Townsend, J. Baird, and L. White
performed by Jimmy Holiday
issued as Everest 2022 in February 1963

Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra: Ragging The Scale (1937)

Ragging The Scale
written by Edward Claypoole
performed by Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra
recorded in New York, NY, 15 June 1937
issued as Decca 1364 in August 1937

Eddie Tompkins, Paul Webster, Sy Oliver - trumpet
Elmer Crumbley, Russell Bowles, Eddie Durham - trombone
Willie Smith, Ed Brown, Dan Grissom, Earl Carruthers, Joe Thomas - reeds
Edwin Wilcox - piano
Al Norris - guitar
Moses Allen - bass
Jimmy Crawford - drums

Count Basie & His Orchestra: John's Idea (1937)

John's Idea
written by William Basie
performed by Count Basie & His Orchestra
recorded 7 July 1937
released as Decca 1363 in August 1937

Buck Clayton, Ed Lewis, Bobby Moore - trumpets
George Hunt, Dan Minor - trombones
Lester Young, Herschel Evans, Earl Warren, Jack Washington - reeds
Count Basie - piano
Freddie Green - guitar
Walter Page - bass
Jo Jones - drums

Written in honor of legendary producer John Hammond.

The Clovers: I'm Confessin' That I Love You (1960)

I'm Confessin' That I Love You
written by Doc Daugherty, Ellis Reynolds, and Al Neiburg
performed by The Clovers
recorded 13 January 1960
released as United Artists 227 in May 1960

The Clovers, here, are Billy Mitchell, Matthew McQuarter, Harold Lucas, Harold Winley, with John 'Buddy' Bailey leading. Most hard core fan write off the later Clovers material but, I think some of their best recordings were done after their tenure with Atlantic.

Timi Yuro: Smile (1961)

Smile
written by John Turner, Geoffrey Parsons, and Charlie Chaplin
performed by Timi Yuro
issued as Liberty F-55375 in September 1961

The music was originally written by, silent film icon, Charlie Chaplin as the theme for his 1936 classic, "Modern Times." In 1954, words were added and Nat "King Cole had a hit. But, this is my favorite version, reaching #9 on the Easy Listing charts and #42 on Billboard's Hot 100 in November 1961. Yuro's soulful delivery really sells this for me - good stuff!

Honorable Fats Wilson: Over Again (1961)

Over Again
written by Lee Maye
performed by The Honorable Fats Wilson
issued as Robbee R-116 in September 1961

This was one of the earliest sounds that I picked up on back when I was first starting to sharing these classics, in 2000, on KSDW Internet Radio. It has remained a favorite of mine.

Dinah Washington: I Wanna Be Loved (1950 & 1961)

I Wanna Be Loved
written by Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, and Billy Rose
performed by Dinah Washington


a) with Teddy Stewart's Orchestra
recorded in New Yor, NY, 9 May 1950
issued later that month as Mercury 8181

Bennie Powell - trombone
Earnie Wilkins - alto sax
Cecil Payne - baritone sax
Freddie Green - guitar
Ray Brown - bass
Teddy Stewart - drums
all others unknown

Her orginal version made #5 on Billboard's "Race" charts and #22 Pop during June and July 1950.




b) with Quincy Jones' Orchestra
recorded in Chicago, IL, 4 December 1961
originally issued as Mercury 72015 in July 1962
heard here as issued on her "I Wanna Be Loved" album (Mercury SR-60729) in September 1962

Joe Newman - trumpet
Billy Byers - trombone
Jack Wilson - piano
all others unknown

This remake made it to #87 on Billboard's Hot 100 in August 1962.

Cab Calloway & His Cotton Club Orchestra: Jitter Bug (1934)

Jitter Bug
written by Edwin Swayzee and Cab Calloway
performed by Cab Calloway & His Cotton Club Orchestra
recorded in New York, NY, 22 January 1934
released as Victor 24592-B in April 1934

Edwin Swayzee, Lammar Wright, Doc Cheatam - trumpet
De Preiest Wheeler, Harry White - trombone
Eddie Barefield, Arville Harris, Andrew Brown, Walter Thomas - reeds
Bennie Payne - piano
Morris White - guitar
Al Morgan - bass
Leroy Maxey - drums

Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys: Snatchin' And Grabbin' (1952)

Snatchin' And Grabbin'
written by Fred Rose and Ray Scrivner
performed by Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, vocal by Joe Holley
recorded at the WFAA studios, Dallas, TX, 26 March 1952
released as MGM 11241-A in May 1952

Bob Wills, Joe Holley, Keith Coleman - fiddle
Eldon Shamblin - rhythm guitar
Shorty Messer, Bob White - steel guitar
Ocie Stockard - tenor banjo
Skeeter Elkin - piano
Joe Andrews, Luke Wills - bass
Paul McGhee - drums