Late April 2017 bopping and rocking fortnight’s favorites
Howdy y’all, folks. This is the late April 2017 fortnight’s favorites selection : 7 artists in very different styles, Hillbilly bop, Bluegrass bop, Boogie woogie and Jumping Blues.
The first record is by a team, that of WALLIE & TEX ISABELL issued on the very small and rare Houston, TX Eddie’s label circa 1951-52. Primarily a R&B label (I only know of saxman Clarence Green, and the first ever record of R&B/boogie pianist Little Willie Littlefield : this man will appear at the end of this selection), it could also release Hllbilly bop like these « Sugar cain gal » [sic] b/w « The good old days » (Eddie’s 1219). The first tune is a jumping little one, where a lap-steel player – at last seemingly – is heard in Hawaïan style, and let lose himself very lovely. The backing is minimal : that steel, rhythm guitar, bass and vocal. A pretty nice track. Its flipside, a little less fast, is a fine ballad. One would like to hear more.
“Sugar cain gal”
The second artist is not an unknown for any Hillblly bop addict. ROY COUNTS had two great sides on the California Bel Aire label in 1957 ; they are to be heard in the story of Jack Tucker (elsewhere in this site). Here we find him a bit later early ’60’s on the Jedco label (# 5009, location unknown)[1963, California, said DrunkenHobo], also issued on Commerce (# 5009, strangely)[acc. to DrunkenHobo, 2nd pressing, 1964]. « Temptation » is good uptempo in Bakersfield style. A great aggressive steel-guitar, which must be played by Ralph Mooney.
“Temptation”
A legend now : LEON PAYNE ; this blind man was responsible for so many good records during the ’50s on many labels too, always had sincere ballads. Here on T.N.T. from San Antonio, TX, he delivers a very nice « I’ll still be around »; an atmospheric steel, the whole reminds one of Joe Carson on the ‘D’ label (« Careless words/Time lock »)[The story of Joe Carson is elsewhere in this site].
“I’ll stil be around”
On to Bluegrass bop with the duet RALPH & ROY who do a fabulous job on Wolf-Tex (a Lancaster, KY label) # 105, « Mountains in Kentucky ». It’s a very fast track, the banjo player offers a feat while the electric guitar has great Rockabilly style solo, too short. That same Wolf-Tex label also issued Harold Montgomery‘s « How much do you miss me » in 1961 (valued at 4 or 500 $), as well as « Ramblin’ » Roy Cunningham (« Waves on the bayou »).
“Mountains in Kentucky”
A fast Bopper again with BUD ALDEN & his Buckaroos from California, 1959 [DrunkenHobo rectifies: a 4* custom from Seattle, WA. 1957]. Was then Buck Owens involved in any way in this recording ? (So, if this a Seattle recording, there is no chance of ole’ Buck involved). « When the ice worms nest again » [what a strange title] can be found on the Arctic label (# 701): a good guitar is embroiding the deep vocal of Leon Roach, unknown elsewhere.
“When the ice worms nest again”
From 1948, back to Eddie’s label in Houston (# 1202), and the very first double-sider by « LITTLE WILLIE » LITTLEFIELD. « My best wishes » is a medium-paced opus, the rhythm is very heavy, and one detects in Littlefield’s voice the influence of his mentor Amos Milburn, like in the latter’s « Cinch blues ». The B-side « Little Willie’s boogie » is a furious showcase of fast piano.
“My best wishes”
download
Amos Milburn “Cinch blues“
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“Little Willie’s” boogie
Finally BUDDY CUDD & his Show Buds deliver a fine Jimmie Rodgers influenced « No hard time blues » on the United Low Country # 1006, out of Hampton, S.C. A touch of yodel, a very good guitar (lot of echo). On the same label were Buddy Livingston & his All Girls Band, previously on Savannah, a Starday custom. But this is another story, as they say..
“No hard time blues“
Sources : 45rpm and 78-world ; YouTube ; my own archives and collection.
arkansas 45s