JOHNNY ZORRO - INFINITY 2 - "BONGO GUITAR"

This is another nice used record store find - a two-sided instrumental record (flip side is "Kangaroo Hop") with sleazy sax, guitar chord blasts, AND bongos.

It can be heard here: http://vimeo.com/3293891

It was released in 1961.

VICKI YOUNG - CAPITOL 3425 - "(I'M) ALL SHOOK UP"

An even more rock-and-roll sounding release by Ms. Young, employing a phrase soon to be made popular by the King himself, but in a completely different song co-written by her husband Hal Blaine.

It was released in 1956.

VICKI YOUNG - CAPITOL 2865 - "HONEY LOVE"

Ms. Young is another undeservedly under-rated pop singer from the 50s, who recorded very solid cover versions of rock-and-roll/rhythm-and-blues classics for a major label, like this, which is backed by "Riot in Cell Block Number Nine", destroying the cliche that such efforts were epitomized by Pat Boone.

You can read about her here: http://www.saxonyrecordcompany.com/vicki-young.html

You can hear it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbuS0T6bS1U

It was released in 1954.

WILLIE WRIGHT AND HIS SPARKLERS - FEDERAL 12372 - "SLOWLY LOSING MY MIND"

If you wanted to hear a "James Brown" record from this period (when he in fact recorded for Federal), which was NOT by James Brown, you couldn't do much worse than this gem sung by Sammy Junior.

A poor quality upload of both sides is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BR-Fev2MAk

It was released in 1960.

MICK WOODWARD - UNIVERSAL SHERATON 1007 - "HOT ROD RACE NAVY STYLE"

Another version of Arkie Shibley's classic (pre-"Hot Rod Lincoln"), done with naval references, with very good guitar/steel guitar. The flip side, a version of  Roy Hamilton's "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry", is also nice.

You can hear clips of both here: http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/artist.php?key=wood6200

It was released in 1955.

MARTY WILSON AND THE STRAT-O-LITES - DECCA 30544 - "SUPER SONIC"

This is a slightly less satisfying cover version of Billy Mure's recording of "Supersonic Rock" (see 09/09/11), which is backed by a mid-tempo organ/guitar instrumental, "I'm All Woke Up".

The latter can be heard here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3ZUU4LeuJw

It was released in 1958.

TOMMY WILLS AND HIS TWISTING TOMCATS - TERRY 110 - "HARD"

Tommy Wills is a journeyman saxophonist from Ohio who recorded on small labels and is still performing in his 80s. This record features two sax instrumentals, with the flip "Aw Shucks" being billed as part of the twist craze.

You can read about Mr. Wills here: http://www.nuvo.net/indianapolis/tommy-wills-man-with-a-horn-celebrates-85th-birthday/Content?oid=1273329

It was released in 1962.

PAUL WILLIAMS - CAPITOL 3205 - "ROCK IT DAVY CROCKETT"

This record is the second of the two in my collection about that "jumpin' pioneer" Davy Crockett (see also 12/6/11), featuring vocals by Jimmy Brown.

It was released in 1955.

BILLY WILLIAMS - CORAL 61932 - "DON'T LET GO"

Despite being a fairly prolific recording artist on a major label, Mr. Williams is sorely under-rated in rock-and-roll/pop circles. This particular toe-tapping song was covered by Commander Cody in the 1970s.

Hear it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar3eIC0Tp4s

It was released in 1958.

WILBURN BROTHERS - DECCA 30591 - "OO BOP SHA BOOM"

This country duo, early in their career, tries their hand at a rockin' "teenage love song", and succeeds nicely, including some good guitar breaks.

It can be heard here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDcvgdbLzs4

It was released in 1958.

JOHNNY GUITAR WATSON - MAGNUM 726 - "BIG BAD WOLF"

Watson is one of my all-time favorite guitarists, and, this is a lesser-known recording from his post-blues and pre-soul period, with nice (but not wild) guitar work. It is backed with "You Can Stay (But That Noise Gotta Go)", which could have been a decent hit record in a pop/r&b mode.
(I find it interesting that the latter song reflects the mindset, since lost, which could refer to Marvin Gaye as "rock and roll").

Hear it now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI8bO8uDwno

It was released in 1965.

EARL WASHINGTON - CHECKER 905 - "WOLF CALL"

The only release by this artist consists of two instrumentals: a mid-tempo sax number reminiscent of Bill Doggett, and, a striking version of "Miserlou" with ethereal vocal, pounding piano, and wailing sax.

Hear it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEvTAki7z94
It was released in 1958.

DINAH WASHINGTON - MERCURY 70214 - "TV IS THE THING (THIS YEAR)"

An early paean to the tube, this record also introduces the double intendre to TV repair.

It can be heard here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkcUnDn344o

It was released in 1953.

VIRG, MURF & PROF - DECCA 30612 - "BUGGIN'"

Double-sided mid-tempo sax/guitar instrumentals (flip is "Way Out") by session musicians recording under these pseudonyms (though, note, the songs are co-written by Pee Wee Maddox), which are very good.

It was released in 1958.

VERSATONES - RCA VICTOR 6976 - "BIKINI BABY!"

A mid-tempo pop song from a short-lived vocal group on this major label (is it the group that did "Bila"?), which extols the virtues of the lead singer's "frantic little baby who has a shape that keeps the fellas hangin' 'round". It actually has a good guitar break.

It was released in 1957.

VELVETONES - IMPERIAL 5878 - "GLORY OF LOVE"

Besides being a good vocal group rendering of this standard, this record is most noted for its CLASSIC spoken part ("I hold in my hand three letters from the stages of your fine, fine, superfine career"). This is actually an early re-issue of the 1957 Aladdin label release.

It can be heard here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaxbnFRa99E

It was released in 1962.

BILLY VAUGHN - DOT 15960 - "ALL NITE LONG"

This is another version of Jimmy Forrest's "Night Train" (see 09/13/10) with the vocal refrain at the end, making it instead, a version of "All Night Long" (see 8/11/11) - got that ?

It was released in 1959.

VALIANTS - KEEN 34004 - "GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY"

A cover version of Little Richard's hit by Bumps Blackwell's band, which is in my opinion better than the original.

Hear it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1YT-6C74E0



It was released in 1957.

TYRONES - DECCA 30643 - "BLAST OFF"

A great space-themed ("still rockin' in 2165") record from a forgotten group on a major label, which is backed with "I'm Shook" written by Bill Haley et al.

It can be heard here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyWGBAQzuS4

It was released in 1958.

TWISTIN' KINGS - MOTOWN 1022 - "XMAS TWIST"

My only Motown record is a mostly instrumental Christmas novelty, which is backed with "White House Twist" (including an introduction by a Jackie Kennedy imitator).

It was released in 1961.

ERNEST TUBB - DECCA 29731 - "THIRTY DAYS"

A nice traditional country cover version of Chuck Berry's song.

It can be heard here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RmAnXJ4OQ4

It was released in 1955.

AL TRACE AND HIS ORCHESTRA - MERCURY 5610 - "CHEW TOBACCO RAG"

Ah! American popular culture at its best! A cover version of the Billy Briggs classic, with vocals by Arkie Shibley (his only record outside the Gilt-Edge / Mountain Dew labels ?).

It was released in 1951.

GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS - SONET 2183 - "SO MUCH TROUBLE"

This is a somewhat rare early George Thorogood extended play record released overseas, with great performances with a spare folk/punk feeling rather than overblown mainstream rock, especially the live version of Elmore James' "New Hawaiian Boogie".

It was released in 1978.

SUE THOMPSON - MERCURY 6407 - "YOU'RE AN ANGEL ON THE OUTSIDE"

This is an early recording by this pop/country artist (best known for "Norman" in 1961), which is backed with the standard "You Belong to Me".

Her website is: http://www.suethompsoninternational.com/

It was released in 1952.

HANK THOMPSON - CAPITOL 4334 - "A SIX PACK TO GO"

A typical honky-tonk song from one of my favorite male country artists, with the usual nice steel guitar.

You can hear it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abQcAC01bpg

It was released in 1960.

THEE MIDNITERS - CHATTAHOOCHEE 684 - "WHITTIER BLVD."

This may the 45 rpm record which I have had longest in my collection (about 40 years), a cruising classic (dig the organ) by East L.A.'s premier 60s band.

It may be heard here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLbTUIffQWY

It was released in 1965.

JOE TEX - KING 4840 - "DAVY, YOU UPSET MY HOME"

This was the first record by this under-rated r&b/soul artist, which was also recorded by the Hi-Fi Four (see above at 08/09/11), though here the writing is credited to Joe Tex.

You can hear it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXIsEbLCwRk

It was released in 1955.

TEN TUFF GUITARS - COLUMBIA 43426 - "MOONSHOT!"

A great early thrift store find of mine, this is a wild guitar instrumental (along the lines of Billy Mure) written by Ed Bland. The flip side of "Fly Me to the Moon" isn't too bad either. Al Caiola, Tony Mottola, Bucky Pizzarelli, and other members of the Manhattan Guitar Club, were in this studio musicians' group of Fender guitarists.

It was released in 1965.

TOM TALL AND THE CREEL SISTERS - FABOR 132 - "HOT ROD IS HER NAME"

A somewhat rare country/rock number about a girl and her hot rod, with just enough going for it to make the cut. The singer's real name is Tommie Lee Guthrie. See: http://www.rockabilly.nl/references/messages/tom_tall.htm

It was released in 1956.

DICK SUMMER - K-W 502 - "THE GOATEE'S GOTTA GO"

A used record store discovery about the disinclination of the female sex toward appreciating chin hair - sort of, like, beat poetry, man, dig? (Apparently, Mr. Summer was a Boston DJ.)

It was released in 1959.

NOLAN STRONG - FORTUNE 546 - "MIND OVER MATTER"

A fine recording by the lead singer of the Diablos on Detroit's first great label (give me Fortune sound over Motown sound any day). Read about them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nolan_Strong_%26_The_Diablos

It was released in 1962.

BOB SPENCER - EPIC 9139 - "ROLL, HOT ROD, ROLL"

An uptempo and fairly respectable pop orchestra song about hot-rodding, made more interesting by the fact that it is backed with "You Do Something to Me" written by Cole Porter.

It was released in 1955.

ARTHUR (GUITAR BOOGIE) SMITH - MGM 10881 - "HOT ROD RACE"

This is a straight-forward country rendition of the Arkie Shibley classic on a major label.

It was released in 1950.

THE SLEWFOOT FIVE - DECCA 25711 - "DRAGNET"

The theme from "Dragnet" as it might have been played by the Hoosier Hot Shots.

It was released in 1953?.

THE SISTER AND BROTHERS - UNI 55199 - "THE JED CLAMPETT"

A funky number introducing that new dance - "The Jed Clampett"

It was released in 1970.

HAL SINGER - SAVOY 1179 - "HOT ROD"

A nice honkin' sax instrumental backed by a more guitar driven "Rock and Roll" with simple "give me an R ..." sort of lyrics.

Read about him here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Singer
and hear the record here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3GbNfymSWk

It was released in 1955.

FRANK SINATRA - REPRISE 531 - "THAT'S LIFE"

My token record by Mr. Sinatra - I like the sentiments of the lyrics (to the very end).

It was released in 1966.

SHAMANS - KAYHAM 3 - "SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA"

An uptempo black vocal group record by an obscure five-some who are backed by the William Powell Orchestra and who sing of the good life in SC ("dance all day, all time to play"). A rarity which I have as a bootleg.

It was released in 1959.

STEVE SCHICKEL - MERCURY 70999 - "LEAVE MY SIDEBURNS BE"

A pop plea from a recent inductee to his sergeant to spare his coiffure, this record by Carmen Dello's Orchestra makes several oblique references to the King, and is backed by the blubbering "Cry-Baby Boogie".

It was released in 1956.

BOBBY SALVATORE - IPG 1012 - "STICK 'EM UP SANTA"

A good Christmas novelty record with a young gunslinger confronting the man in red; it is backed with "Big Al", an impressive guitar-sax instrumental (which can be heard here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlRg0JEzNKo&noredirect=1).

It was released in 1963.

CHARLE RYAN - 4 STAR 1761 - "HOT ROD LINCOLN"

A re-issue (or re-recording) of Mr. Ryan's signature song, first written in 1955 (shamelessly plagiarizing Arkie Shibley's "Hot Rod Race", which in fact, though credited to G. Wilson, is on the B-side).

Read more here: http://www.hot-rod-lincoln.com/

It was released in 1960.

CHARLIE RYAN - 4 STAR 1749 - "HOT ROD HADES"

An afterlife sequel to "Hot Rod Lincoln" (by its co-writer), this record is backed with a similar instrumental "Hot Rod Guitar".

It was released in 1960.

ALVINO REY - DECCA 29820 - "DO YOU LOVE ME?"

A novelty number from the man described as the "unsung hero of innovating the electric guitar", with Rey's "talking guitar", vocals by Scatman Crothers, and, words by Stan Freberg(!).

Read more here:  http://www.bigbandlibrary.com/alvinorey.html

It was released in 195?.

LIL RANDOLPH - CHOCK FULL OF HITS 103 - "SATELLITE LOVE"

An obscure, though not necessarily valuable, item in my collection, this is another Sputnik inspired song (shown by the obligatory "beep" at the record's end) by an unknown black singer reminiscent of Etta James, who is also identified as Madame Queen.

It can be heard here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klBWOw3jIcU

It was released in 1958(?).

RED PRYSOCK - MERCURY 71214 - "WHAT'S THE WORD? THUNDERBIRD!"

A great honking sax instrumental (unfortunately, without the "Thunderbird" call-and-response), which is backed by another not-too-shabby instrumental "Satellite".

It was released in 1957.

LOUIS PRIMA - CAPITOL 3856 - "BEEP! BEEP!"

Another Sputnick-inspired tune, this record (by Prima, and, Sam Butera and the Witnesses) may be the earliest pop song with synthesized sounds.

It was released in 1958.

EL PAULING AND THE ROYALTON - FEDERAL 12383 - "SOLID ROCK"

An impressive (dare I say, "solid") r&b recording by Loman Pauling (of the 5 Royales) and Royal Abbit (as The Royalton), with great guitar, it is backed with another winner, a bluesy item (which needs to be used in some teen flick) called "I'm a Cool Teenager".

It was released in 1960.

ROBERT PARKER - RON 327 - "ALL NITE LONG"

This guitar/sax instrumental (and mostly instrumental B-side) is unrelated to any of the other "All Night Long" recordings, but is quite good.

It was released in 1959.

PAUL PARKER - GLENN 3201 - "ROCKIN' FOR GOLDWATER"

More political audio memorabilia in the form of a blues for the AUH2O man himself, who will get rid of that dirty mouth in Cuba and end that "stuff" in Vietnam.

It was released in 1964.

NIXONAIRES - NO LABEL NAME - "DO NOT SELL THE WHITE HOUSE"

Again, to display no political partisanship, I have one of Richard Nixon's 1960 presidential campaign songs,
aimed at the Kennedy family wealth.

It was released in 1960.