First two selections for this late February 2017 fortnight do come from Florida. Absolutely nothing is known from the vocalist/bandleader JOE ASHER. Apparently unknown on the Net, and not associated to another of the same name, he was a one-off record man. His record was first issued at Rockin’ # 515 in 1953, then reissued by DeLuxe ( # 2001) for a perfect Bopper, « Photograph of you », a fast, fantastic tune : very assured vocal, great solos – fiddle, guitar and steel. The flipside, « Daddy dear », a mid-paced opus, is just as good (steel is prominent). I wonder why this guy never recorded more, at least under his name.
Then to early ’60s in Birmingham, AL. with OTHELL SULLIVAN& the Southern All-Stars (are they the house band of the label?) on Reed 1053. The song is written by Leon Bowman, a prolific songster and singer in is own right. « There’s sure to be goodbyes » is a jumping tune, sympathetic backing (steel and discreet drums) over a good vocal : a nice tune for 1961. Sullivan had had already « Call me, baby » on Wonder (unheard) in 1958 ; later he joined the Longhorn stable (# 513).
JIMMIE STONE (acc. by Coy McDaniel guitarist) had on the New Jersey Cross Country label 45-22 a great Country rocker, « Found » in April ’56. Strong lead guitar and good backing over an assured vocal (lot of echo). The disc must have had a certain impact under chart-angle, because the big N.Y. concern Gone reissued it next year as it was on Gone # 5001. The flipside « Mine » is an insipid slowie, largely forgettable.
From Indiana on a rather devoted to Blues/R&B label, Falcon, here’s to be found the Hillbilly bopper/Rockabilly of CURLEY SHELTON (# 609) « with Doug Oldham & his Dixie 6 ». « Have you seen my baby » is a medium bluesy tune, assured vocal and an embroidering very good guitar.
From the Hometown Jamboree on the West coast, the next track by TEX HOLLAND. He does a fine job with the mid-paced hard-driven « Why don’t you change your ways » on Ivory 103.
Finally a song, « Hillbilly wolf », wrongly attributed to Dave Dudley on a low-bdget album cover, is actually sung and played by LINK WRAY. A medium uptempo, good vocal but rather uninspired guitar. This tune may come from the late ’50s or even the early ’60s.
Howdy folks! Ready for a new musical trip? This time, very various things. First, the famous SHAGMAR BULLNASTY in 1963 on the Trash label doing “Tapping That Thing“. It’s a risqué lyrics song they say, I don’t know why. The same song with a slightly different tempo came out as BOLIVER SHAGNASTY on Quartercash (Tennessee label). It is rumoured that these names disguise rockabilly Mack Banks, and that the original version came from J. C. Cale (Youtube carries the story to the tune). Anyhow I offer the original version cut during the 40s by YANK RACHELL on the Bluebird label.
Tapping That Thing
Shagmar Bullnasty
Well listen little kids I’m going to sing a little song
It goes like this and it won’t take long
I’m tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
I’m tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
Everybody’s doing it everybody’s tapping that thing
Well Ma and Pa was laying in the bed
Ma turned to Pa and then she said
Start tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
Everybody’s doing it everybody’s tapping that thing
It’s a little old thing all covered with fuzz
The best damn pussy there ever was
Start tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
Everybody’s doing it everybody’s tapping that thing
Lets tap!
(solo)
Well I touched her up high and I touched here down low
I touched her in the middle and she didn’t let go.
Say tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
Everybody’s doing it everybody’s tapping that thing
Well I got it in the kitchen and I got it in the hall
I got it on my finger and I swing it on the wall
Say tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
Everybody’s doing it everybody’s tapping that thing
Well I took here in and I laid here on the floor
The wind from her ass blew the cat out the door
Said tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
Everybody’s doing it everybody’s tapping that thing
Let’s tap a little now
(another solo)
Mama’s in the kitchen and Papa’s in the jail
Sister’s on the corner hollerin’ pussy for sale
Sayin’ tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
Everybody’s doing it everybody’s tapping that thing
Well I cut it once and I cut it twice
The last time I cut it cut it deep and nice.
Sayin’ tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
Everybody’s doing it everybody’s tapping that thing
Now six times six makes thirty six
I’m only going to hit it about six more licks
Yeah tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
tapping that thing (tapping that thing)
Everybody’s doing it everybody’s tapping that thing
Yeah everybody’s doing it everybody’s tapping that thing
(thanks to Mark Freese, who transcribed the lyrics)
From Alabama too came OTHELL SULLIVAN. He cut hillbilly on the Southern label in 1952, then in 1960 this fine uptempo “There’s Sure To Be Goodbyes” on the Reed label.
Another Hillbilly turning up to Rockabilly: BILL BLEVINS. During February 1953, he cut at the Holford Studio in Houston a session for Trumpet’s owner, Lilian McMurray. She issued “A Day Late And A Dollar Short”, typical Hillbilly bop of Mississipi, backed by Jimmy Swan’s band. This is the forerunner to Billy Barton’s song. Blevins resurfaced in 1957 on the very small National label for two rockabillies “Crazy Blues” and “Baby I Won’t Keep Waitin‘”, both threatening medium tempos.
Finally NORMAN SULLIVAN. He’s best known for a 1960 version of “Folsom Prison Blues” on the Roto label. Here is the flip side “She Called Me Baby”.
“Photograph of you“
rocker, « Found » in April ’56. Strong lead guitar and good backing over an 
assured vocal (lot of echo). The disc must have had a certain impact under chart-angle, because the big N.Y. concern Gone reissued it next year as it was on Gone # 5001. The flipside « Mine » is an insipid slowie, largely forgettable.
arkansas 45s