Late April 2018 bopping fortnight's favorites

Howdy, folks. This is the late April 2018 bopping fortnight’s selection, and I hope you will agree with me : every tune here bops lively…

The first three songs are all by a singer, WIBBY LEE, originating maybe from Ohio, maybe from Tennessee, who cut them as late as 1965-66, in Bluesy rockabilly style largely fashioned late ’50s, and all for the Dayton, OH Jalyn label.

Two strong playing guitars for « I’m Lost Without Your Love » on Jalyn 214A. Second guitar is done by Paul Allan. The B-side « Please don’t run me off » has Wibby Lee solo for a more folkish approach.

“I’m Lost Without Your Love“

download
“Please Don’t Run Me Off“

download

Second offering is real tour-de-force, « I’m Talking Not Walking The Blues » is Rockabilly Blues style. Great guitar and drums. Rhythm given by a banjo. The flipside « Might As Well Be No Moon At All » is unheard (untraced). Price for this item : $ 200-300 when it comes for sale (Lncoln & Blackburn book). Curiously valued by Barry K. John at only $ 25 or 30.

“I’m Talking Not Walking The Blues“

download

Finally the very fast « Inflation Blues » from 1976 or 78. Its frame is built on a banjo, which battles with a guitar : who will be the speediest ? Jalyn 1001. The disc had first been published by a Kingsport, TN Bonus label # 101.

“Inflation Blues“”

download

Next artist, HARRY CHOATES, was the Cajun fiddler extraordinaire. He was the first to cut « Jole Blon », a Cajun national anthem, and had numerous records – many posthumously issued – on Gold Star, D, DeLuxe, Cajun classics, Modern, Hummingbird. Here I chose a lesser known track, « Honky-tonky Boogie » first issued on Starday 224 (1956) : a guitar (Larry Nolen?), a great shuffling fiddle, plus bass, and to sum it up, French lyrics : « Tu m’as quitté, pour t’en aller – mais ça sera pas pour longtemps », interspersed with yells (« Hey ! Ha-ha ! ») and encouragements from Choates.

“Honky Tonky Boogie”

download

PAL BRADY (full name Palford) was a Detroiter, who had already cut for Clix (it is unknown to me if the tunes on # 145 « L-o-v-e » and « When you’re gone » had already been cut by the Cincinnati’s Lucky label # 0013 – they do sound identical). Nevertheless we find him in good form for « More Lovin’ » on the Michigan Conteste label (# 45-2), in a similar style to his Clix/Lucky sides : a medium honky tonk, with guitar, bass, steel (solo) and drums. Brady was born 1926 and died 1988. He had records on small labels as Barney 1005 (“Troubles again“), Bragg (« Trading Stamps »), Carl and the larger King label.

Palford Brady then…

“More Lovin'”

download

…and now: Grand Blanc, Genesy County, Michigan

“Troubles Agan”

download

Rocky Harper, “Show Me Love”

download

An hybrid Western swing/Bopper with Rocky Harper and “Show Me Love” from N.J. on the Wagon label # 1001..

The last three tracks are all by ANN JONES, singer and rhythm guitar player, who led an all-girl combo, the Western Sweethearts. « Baby Sitter’s Blues » the oldest song of the three, was issued by Capitol (# 57-40227) in September 1949. As shown on the label, « Vocal with Western Band ». The girls do a good job on this, a fast sympathetic and fluent backing, a sweet voice over a boogie guitar solo.

“Baby Sitter’s Blues”

download

Next two songs are to be found on King Records. The famous « Knockin’ Blues » (# 972) (March 1951) has an harsh voice, and is a so-called Hillbilly Blues, with stops-and-starts. Fine backing : piano, steel and fiddle. Finally « Monkey Business » (# 1137) from December 1952 is a fast ditty, with very good guitar and fiddle (solo).

“Knockin’ Blues”