Vocal with Orchestra and Chorus Directed by Sid Bass

Let's Make Up - The Flamingos (Decca 30335) - 1957

Recorded in New York City in 1948, released on Manor 1164.

I'm Wise To You Baby - Jimmy "Baby Face" Lewis with Tab Smith's Orchestra

Recorded in Chicago, 19th March 1947, and released on Aladdin 3004.

Gettin' Old - Jimmy "Baby Face" Lewis with Floyd Campbell Orchestra

OKeh 7086 (1957) - Rushing's final punt at the r&b market was this recut of his 1939 hit with Count Basie, featuring suitably twangy guitar from Everett Barksdale. Other musicians were Seldon Powell and Buddy Tate (tenor saxes) Haywood Henry (baritone sax) Clarence Johnson (piano) Chauncey “Lord” Westbrook (second guitar) Milt Hinton (bass) Gene Brooks (drums).


Jimmy Rushing - Baby, Don't Tell On Me

The baritone saxophone player with the classic Ray Charles band from 1956 until Hank Crawford took over in 1958, “Big Bad” Emmet Davis had previously recorded in his own right as singer/sax man on sides for Hi-Lo and 7-11 (1952) and Atlas and Chess (1955). Immediately following his tenure with Brother Ray, he was signed to Rose Marie McCoy’s short-lived M and B label, and continued to make records into the early 1960s, but “How About It Baby” was his most credible punt at the rock ‘n’ roll market.

Emmet Davis - You Changed My Night Into Day (M and B 101) - 1958

Leaving Atlantic in 1958, Ivory Joe Huter (his actual given name) signed to Dot Records and had success with his debut for the label, a cover of the Ray Price country hit “City Lights”, a genre which would dominate his career for the rest of his life...except for the odd rock 'n' roll revisit, such as 1959's “Welcome Home Baby”.

Welcome Home, Baby - Ivory Joe Hunter (Dot 15957) - 1959

Robert Jordan “Smoki” Whitfield (1918-1967) was born in Pittsburgh and had relocated to Los Angeles by the mid 1940s, where he set about making a name for himself as both a recording artist and a character actor in the movies. Debuting on Gilt-Edge Records in 1945 (as “Smokey Joe Whitfield”), he concentrated on his film career between 1946 and 1959, appearing in over 40 feature films and a handful of TV series ("Gangbusters", "Adventures of Superman" and "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color," amongst them), but was signed to Sylvester Cross's Crest Records in 1955 to cut two singles with Freddie Simon's band, which showcased his songwriting talent as well as his great sense of humour.  

Smoki Whitfield - Take The Hint (Crest 1010) - 1955

Early Memphis cut from the great Willie Mitchell and his band. 

Willie Mitchell Orchestra (featuring Billy Taylor) - Wasting My Time (Skipper 1001) 1960

Stunning rockabilly recorded at 706 Union in April 1956 but not released until twenty years later. This recording is taken from the very first issue of this cut, Sun 618.

"Mad Man" by Jimmy Wages (Sun 618)

Wild, boogie jump instrumental from January 1949 cut in New Orleans, and the recording debut of legendary tenor sax man Lee Allen who was just 21 at the time of this recording.
Paul Gayten (piano/screams) Wallace Davenport (trumpet) Lee Allen (tenor sax) Peter “Chuck” 
Badie (bass) Robert Green (drums).

"Gayten's Nightmare" by Paul Gayten with Lee Allen (DeLuxe 1210)

1947 recording from Boston's Ace Recording Studio - Eugene Caines (trumpet), Maceo Bryant (trumpet/trombone), Jimmy Tyler (alto sax/tenor sax), Danny Turner (tenor sax); Bill Dorsey (baritone sax); Sabby Lewis (piano/leader); Al Morgan (bass); Joe Booker (drums).
Also released on London 516 in the UK.

Hangover - Sabby Lewis & his Orchestra (Crystal-Tone 516)

From the LP "Motor Head Chuck" (Rollin' Rock 003) from 1974 - Chuck Higgins (vocal/saxes), Ray Campi (everything else!)

Don't Touch Me - Chuck Higgins

Not sure what contribution Bill Harris has to this side (he sings on the flip, "Little Momma Pleaser"), but this sounds like Mickey Baker all the way!

"Yeah! Yeah! Guitar" - Bill Harris with Mickey Baker's Orchestra (Strand 25020), 1960

Recorded New York City, 1953 - Jimmy Newsome (vocal/piano), other musicians unknown.

I'm Gonna Chunk You Down - Jimmy Newsome (Allen 1005) 1953

My Little Child - Jimmie Newsome (MGM 11849) 1954

The Four Imperials backed by Hank Luks Quintet. A 1958 rock 'n' roll release on Detroit's Lorelei Records, later reissued on Dot Records (Dot 15737)

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