JUKE BOX  FEBRUARY 2012

 A unusual mix of lesser heard tracks taken from this month's charts featured on this site from 1952, 1957 & TRIBUTE records to the late JOHNNY OTIS & ETTA JAMES.

 In case you hadn't noticed the tracks on the Juke Box are not random selections or even personal favourites of mine. They are all either on the charts included this month, or connected in some way to a record on the charts (which as you know are updated monthly).

 

 

1. & 2 BYE BYE BABY/HAND JIVE ONE MORE TIME - JOHNNY OTIS  

 Johnny Otis was one of the most important and influential R&B acts of all time. The first track includes a couple of dozen titles of rock'n'roll hits in the lyric - how many can you spot? The second track saw him returning to the Hand Jive - the UK originated dance that had been so successful for him and Willie.

 

3 & 4 ALL I COULD DO WAS CRY/STOP THE WEDDING - ETTA JAMES

 Arguably the most soulful female vocalist of all time, with two heart-wrenching wedding day ditties.

The former was just so far ahead in the soul stakes of anything else on record in 1960.

 

5. FOOLS FALL IN LOVE - THE DRIFTERS (1957)

The first of three in a row from 55 years ago this month is a catchy Leiber & Stoller song that is given a slightly Platters treatment by The Drifters. Elvis later revived it.

 

6. ONE STEP AT A TIME - BRENDA LEE (1957)

 Brenda Lee was given a big push by Decca in late 1956 - they released two singles in a matter of weeks of each other. However, it was this her third release that gave the 12 year old her first US chart entry.        

 

7. PARTY DOLL - STEVE LAWRENCE (1957)          

 I reckon you've probably heard Buddy Knox's original rendering often enough, so am treating (!) you to this pop cover version which also charted Stateside. To be honest, he does a better job than you might imagine he would.

 

8. BLACKSMITH BLUES - ELLA MAE MORSE (1952)

 This months biggie from 60 years ago is by the groundbreaking Ella Mae Morse. In the UK it was popular by the Ted Heath Ork with Lita Roza.

 

9. & 10. RING A LING / WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THOSE EYES AT ME FOR - JOHNNY OTIS

First an overlooked rocker from Otis and then (with the help of Marie Adams & The Three Tons of Joy) his revival of an oldie that was cloned and taken to the top in the UK by Emile Ford & The Checkmates.

 

11. THE WALLFLOWER - ETTA JAMES (WITH THE JOHNNY OTIS ORK)

Etta's first and biggest hit was co-written by her and the man who discovered her, Johnny Otis (who also had a hand in the production). It was taken to the top in the US when covered by Georgia Gibbs. Etta is joined vocally on the track by Richard Berry.

 

12. DANCE WITH ME HENRY - THE GOONS

 This month's oddball record is the first ever recording by The Goons, which was a version of the previous song.