Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic
As George Lipsitz points out in the introduction to Johnny Otis‘s memoir Upside Your Head! Rhythm and Blues on Central Avenue, Otis was a central organizing figure in the Los Angeles rhythm & blues scene of the late 1940s and early 1950s — thus, a shrewd move on Syd Nathan’s
Celebration of King Records Month 2018 Getting an Early Start in August! Lucky Millinder‘s version of the classic country hit “Chew Tobacco Rag” could easily have been included on my Gusto cassette King compilation, Country Tunes Done R&B: Billboard‘s review in the April 21, 1951 edition was very optimistic about the single’s
2013’s Steven Soderbergh-directed Liberace biopic was ineligible for Oscar nominations since, as Mother Jones points out, the film was released on cable television (HBO) instead of U.S. theaters due to its “conspicuous gayness.” Along with Milton Berle, Liberace was one of TV’s earliest stars and, as pointed out in the
Artists who steadfastly resist to be pidgeonholed – Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown being one such notable example – always pique my curiosity. Music writer, Michael Perry, in his article about Gatemouth Brown from the November-December 2001 issue of “alt-country” magazine, No Depression, describes an independence of spirit so fierce that it
Thanks to WeirdWildRealm for the back story on a video performance that knocks me out every time I see it — The Duke Ellington Orchestra performing “V.I.P.’s Boogie” (fused to “Jam with Sam“) in a 1951 Snader transcription film: “VIP’s Boogie” / “Jam With Sam” The Duke Ellington Orchestra (1951) Harry
I have to confess – I’ve been listening pretty closely for several decades now, and I still can’t tell what makes [insert name of “first rock & roll record” here] the first recording with the rock & roll beat, whether it be 1951’s “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston (backed by
“Cincinnati” appears to be the B-side of a Decca 78 that was recorded by Martha Davis & Her Torrid Trio on December 9, 1947 in Hollywood, USA: “Cincinnati” Martha Davis & Her Torrid Trio (1947) Martha Davis not only sang well but played the piano masterfully, as demonstrated on this
In November, 1952 Wynonie Harris – with backing from Sonny Thompson‘s ensemble – recorded three songs at Cincinnati’s King Studios, the most compelling being “Greyhound“: “Greyhound” Wynonie Harris (1952) (Written by Rudy Toombs) I love the driving rhythm that is augmented by a nice jingly set of car keys. According
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