GET WITH THE BEAT – The Mar-Vel’ Masters – A Lost Decade to American Rock and Roll (Rykodisc, ,1989) – notes by Carl Schneider
Harry Glenn, 1980's
My first meeting with Harry Glenn back in 1976 was strictly accidental. I happened to be working on a project that required a short trip to Dyer, Indiana. After completing my stop, I spotted a curious-looking van that was topped with a set of loudspeakers and plastered with posters announcing such crazy records as « Moon Twist » and « Purty Girls Are Purty ». I couldn’t believe my eyes. So I sat down on the curb, hoping that the owner of this strange vehicle would return shortly.
He did, and after a brief introduction, I would up spending the wildest evening sitting in his van behind a drug store, listening to dozens of songs I had never heard before – and buying them like mad !
That was the start of what was to become a long, exciting, and prosperous relationship for both of us. Not only did Harry and I work on a number of musically related projects, such as reissuing original masters and DJ-ing a radio show, but our lifelong friendship included many other dimensions as well.
In order to fully understand the Mar-Vel’ legacy, one must not only look at Harry and his vast body of work, but also consider the social and economic factors that were contributing or affecting the American culture during his most creative period. (The Northern life, Black migration, and Chess records) During the same time, Harry was recording the songs and emotions of Southern Whites, or « Hillbillies ».
One such area that acted as a magnetic force throughout the South was Calumet City. It was close to Chicago and at the same time had a reputation for being very open. (…) As these newly transplanted Southerners arrived, more nightclubs sprung up. This environment enabled many musicians to support themselves by playing the music that they loved. (…)
Harry was born in Bald Knob, Indiana, in 1917, and came from a poor farm family of eight children. Although he lacked a great deal of formal education, he always had an insatiable desire to write. His first efforts were poems. He later progressed to putting melodies and music to his words. (…) 1949, he set up Mar-Vel’ records to promote his songs. Mar-Vel’ soon became one of the most prolific independants in the Midwest : following first release in 1949, over the next 17 years Harry produced more than 140 78’s and 45’s. His work ranged from Western Swing to Rockabilly and beyond.
Harry Glenn’s unorthodox ideas and methods of promotion were always one of the unique features of the Mar-Vel’ story. Despite the fact that the Mar-Vel’ label had a system of distributors set up throughout the States, Harry nonetheless continued to personally promote his releases in a carnival-like manner. As late as the mid-60’s, he was loading his car up with records and traveling from town to town with his set of loudspeakers trying to persuade all those who would listen that his recordings were a must. But the big break never came. Despite some early successes, a few regional hits, and the great local popularity that the Mar-Vel’ artists enjoyed, national recognition and its financial rewards always eluded the label. On with the artists !
One of the most prolific writers on the Mar-Vel’ label was BILLY HALL. He cut his first sides for the label in 1955 after traveling North from Metropolis, Illinois. (see further « Let Me Love You« , « Move Over Rover » and « Shootin’ Pool » from 1956)
BOBBY SISCO’s « Honky Tonkin’ Rhythm » really captures the true feeling of the era.. .slappin’ bass and wild steel guitar really set your feet a tappin’. One can find also his work on Chess (the Rockabilly classic « Tall, Dark And Handsome Man », later copied by Chuck Berry, as « Brown Eyed Handsome Man »), Vee-Jay, Wesco and Brave.
Bobby Sisco 50s
HAROLD ALLEN, who came North from Talladega, Alabama, wrote a couple of great numbers with his friend and sidekick, J. T. WATTS. Their first release, « I’m Setting You Free », became quite a success.
HERBIE DUNCAN’s « Hot Lips Baby » is a collector’s item. Harry recorded Herbie in 1958 shortly after he got out of service. Unable to achieve greater success, he pursued a career as a truck driver. Duncan died 2010.
BOB BURTON, who came North with SHORTY ASHFORD, formed the Sunny South Boys just before recording for Mar-Vel’. The Boys included steel guitarist BASIL SMITH, bass player FLOYD HUGHETT (on « Tired Of Rocking ») and guitarist RONNIE DURBAN. 
JIM GATLIN was actually discovered in Evansville, Indiana. He was playing saxophone with Les Smithard and the The Super X Cowboys.
HARRY CARTER, The Rock and Roll Apache, cut some great rockers before leaving the label.
Rockhouse LP (Netherlands), 1980's
Mar-Vel' Masters vol.3 (Bobby Sisco), 1970's
Bob Reed‘s daughter, Miz. Lynn Daron, contacted recently bopping. She’d ask for the sound to « Choctaw Boogie » she’d never heard! I was pleased to send her the .mp3, and in return, she provided the site with 3 unpublished pictures of his Dad! She told Bob Reed was a bass player, and very good at it. He was born 1926, and deceased 2008. God bless you, Miz. Daron, and thanx-a-lot!
Reed far left on bass
Reed far right
I come to a finish with a late to come to Mar-Vel, CARL NEWMAN. He had first cut on the Trio label, « Rockin’ And A Boppin« , an out-and-out Rocker, complete with saxophone (1959). He would recut it in 1964 for Mar-Vel, with Jimmy Case on guitar. Mar-Vel’ 2350 « Rockin’ And A Boppin’/Twist On Guitar » was apparently recorded live at the Casablanca Club (unknown town).
Photo credits: 45 labels from « Rockin’ Country Style »; Harry Glenn’s picture from Rykodisc CD; YouTube
LP labels from Mar-Vel Masters (Cowboy Carl) or Rockhouse
One important artist in the Mar-Vel’ stable was JACK BRADSHAW. He had one LP on his own on Cowboy-Carl, and I intend to have his story later on this blog site! Revised (Oct. 31, 2011): it was done in July 2010, and it even had comments from Jack’s daughter!
Carl Newman and his Night Hawks - Rocking And A Bopping (Trio 849,1959) [ 1:33 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Carl Newman (Jimmy Case on guitar) - Twist On Guitar (Mar-Vel 2350 B, 1964) [ 1:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
arkansas 45s
This is a great site. Thank you!
Hi! Thank you for the comment. More to come. Bye
Hi Xavier,
thanks for this, a great entry.
Do you know if anybody has ever tried to compile the discography of Mar-Vel’ / Glenn labels? The unique numbering system makes this a challenge, but still…
best regards
mick
Hi Mick,
Thanks for the comment. Last listing I saw was in UK’s New Kommotion magazine (1970-80’s). You can also at http://www.45rpmrecords.com/IN/Mar-Vel.php
Boppinest regards, Xavier
I grow up in Hammond,Indiana and bought my first record in Crown Point Indiana in 1958.Elvis,s song- Hard Headed Women was the 45rpm . I became a rockabilly fan in 1976 and was shocked to learn that Hammond was a rockabilly hot bed in the 1950,s.In 1986 I talked to Bobby Sisso on the phone and he said he was fron Tennesse originally and still played music with his son Rusty!! totally cool.I heard we lost Bobby a few years ago after he had moved back to Tennesse,nice man who was shocked to learn he had fans in England and western Europe.Made my day to talk to him on the phone R.I.P. Dennis McKenzie DeWitt Seattle,Washington Blue Suede news writer for the last 21 years-rock on!
sure am sorry to hear about bobby cisco.i was a musician in cal city il.does anyone know
bil hall?we knew each other well.i sure like[keep your eye on the guy] billy hall cut this one for harry glenn on his
glenn lable.i’m now a pastor at
first baptist camilla coldspring tx.anyone can write me,at 261 mack wheatly rd.
coldspring tx 77331 thanks a lot for keeping memories alive
love in christ jesus.arlie gillinger aka billy cole.
Hello,
Thans for visiting my site, and glad you read the news about Mar-Vel’ label artists. What instrument you were playing? Have you ever played at a recording session, and for what artist? Any snippet or anecdote about those days-gone-by would be welcome! You also ask for Billy Hall. I podcasted every song i know by him, and I never heard « Keep your eye on the guy , which was issued on Glenn 1006, early ’60s. Anyway thanks again. Xavier
Bob Reed who wrote and recorded Choctaw Boogie and Careless with Your Kisses is my father. He passed away January 22, 2009. I would love to have the MP3 version of his two songs emailed to me. I do have a 45 of his song but no way to play it or convert it to a CD. It would mean a lot to me and my family. I sure would love to meet a fan of his music! 🙂
I am blown away at how interesting the stuff is on this web page. I have saved this page and I truly intend on coming back to the site in the upcoming days. Keep up the fantastic work!
A while back I got a promotional cassette tape for the « Mar-Vel Masters » album, but it didn’t list any of the artists or provide any info about the recordings. I’ve been wracking my brain trying to find more info about it, so this whole page is awesome. Thank you!
Hi my name is Marilyn Hughett I am the daughter of Floyd Hughett he played bass on some of the Mar-Vel records..Bob Burton »Tired of Rocking »…It’s so nice to hear my dad playing on some of these records he died so young (53 yrs old). I always heard him talk about Shorty Ashford…Thanks again for putting up this site…
Hi! Marilyn,
Thanks for the information of your daddy playing bass on Bob Burton (eventually Shorty Ashford’s) records. It is the first time a Mar-Vel’s musician’s sibling appears! Any picture for disposal of your dad? (to be sent .jpg format to xavier.maire@free.fr) God bless you!
Great web-site. I am an avid collector/dealer of vinyl records and the indy rockabilly artists/singles are more often than not a real treat. I discovered Mar-Vel actually by accident about 10 years ago when I found a CD compilation of Mar-Vel records at the public library. One listen and I was a huge fan.
I am curious though of who actually recorded the song « Seven Lonely Days » first? The front runners seem to be Ginny Carter and Bonnie Lou. Anyone know for sure who actually wrote and recorded the song originally? (I refuse to trust Wikipedia)
For more information on Mar-Vel’ / Glenn and other exciting Cowboy Carl & NEON Record releases please visit Cowboy Carl Records on Facebook. Feel free to enjoy are videos section. You will find a number of interesting interviews along with music videos to boot!!!
Great to hear others that knew of my grandpa Shorty Ashford. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Christine,
Do you can share a picture of your Grandaddy Shorty Ashford, to be published in bopping.org? Send it please to: xavier.maire@free.fr. Thanks in advance!