Aug. 28th

Thanks to all the folks who have been writing me and commenting on my blog. Seems like i'm getting into a groove. I don't remember a time when i enjoyed studying so much. Such is life.

in to the grooves...

The Spidells - Find Out What's Happening

The Spidells' 45 is one of my more exciting finds of the last year or so. They only released 3 records (to my knowledge), 2 for the Nashville-based Monza label, and one several years later for Coral. "Find Out What's Happening", cut in '64, is the perfect blend between all of the prominent sounds of Nashville at the time. Throughout the song, it leans towards being Rockabilly, then R&B, then Doo-Wop, and never really settles into one perticular style. This song was their closest ever to a hit and later recieved some notariaty when it was covered by Elvis. The Spidells (seen here holding copies of this record) originally were formed at Tennessee A&I State University (now known as Tennessee State) in 1962. The group was comprised of 5 vocalists, four freshman and one senior. The group was backed musically by another college band called "The Exotics" (bottom left), who mostly were a party band, but backed several other Nashville groups at the time. The groups 2nd release, "Hmm...With Feeling Darling", falls a little short in comparison to their debut, but it and the flip are both decent tracks.

Art Neville - You Won't Do Right

As being one who worships and studies New Orleans R&B/Soul/Jazz, there are several family names which can not be avoided (i.e. - Batiste, Barbarin, Carbo, etc.). At the top of the list, though, is the Nevilles. They were easily the most influential band-of-brothers (and cousins, etc) in the New Orleans scene. The early works of the Nevilles tend to be overshadowed, but i prefer them over the latter in many instances. What few know is that Art (oldest of the siblings), truly paved the way for the Neville's stardom. His first release was as the lead singer of the Hawkettes, whose classic parade anthem, "Mardi-Gras Mambo", though released in '54, can still be heard throughout the streets of NOLA to this day. He then had a stint working for Specialty Records, where he released several solo records and backed many of the big names playing piano and sometimes singing. He can be heard (barely) as one of the backing vocalists on Little Richard's "The Girl Can't Help It" and as the pianist on Larry Williams' "Oh Baby" and "Rockin' Pneumonia" and on Jerry Byrne's "Lights Out." In 1960, his brother Aaron took the stage and started recording for the Minit label. The following year, Art signed to the Instant label, where he would stay nearly a decade. Throughout his stay at Instant, Art rarely ventured out. The only side projects he did at that time were backing Willie West on his early Frisco recordings and cutting two solo 45s for the (very small) Eddie Bo affiliated, Cinderella label. Around the 67, Art ( founded one of the most prolific bands to come from the Crescent City, The Meters (pictured here, Art in black). They started as studio musicians for Allen Toussaint's Sansu/Amy work, backing the likes of Lee Dorsey, Betty Harris and many others. They then recorded their own material, which would place them at the forefront of the New Orleans soul scene.



Leon Haywood - Cornbread and Buttermilk

Houston native, Leon Haywood has been amidst the movers and shakers of the R&B and Soul scenes since the early 60's. He has played with the likes of Guitar Slim, Sam Cooke, The Packers, Dyke and the Blazers and many more. This cut is actually the B side to one of his only charting records, "It's got to be mellow." I prefer the "Cornbread and Buttermilk" side over the A because the organ work is in the pocket and the drums stay mellow but snappy the whole time. My cup 'o tea. After this '67 release, Haywood went on to score a hit with "I want to do something freaky to you." He also wrote several hits for others through the 70's and 80's, the penicle being "Bad Mama Jama" for Carl Carlton.

Side Note: I'll be adding a Haywood organ rendition of the Bobby "Blue" Bland hit, "I'll take care of you" sometime in the next few weeks, so look out for that.



Gentleman June Gardner - It's Gonna Rain

Albert "Gentleman June" Gardner was a drummer in the New Orleans jazz and R&B scenes throughout most of their early histories. He began playing mostly jazz in his early professional career, making his early name with a group called the Gandoliers. He then moved on to backing Lionel Hampton and Roy Brown for brief stints. Towards the mid-'60s, he took up with Sam Cooke's band, and often toured with them until Cooke's death in '64. Around New Orleans, he also received a lot of work backing many of the staple R&B artists of the time. He did a number of sessions for the Toussaint-famed Sansu label, as well as some Amy work, including the Lee Dorsey sessions for "Working In A Coalmine", and the other pre-'67 hits. He only cut a few solo 45s, the most noteworthy being "99 plus 1", which he originally recorded for the New Orleans based Hot Line label, who sold the rights to the Mercury subsidiary, Blue Rock. The song became a hit amidst the musicians scene because of its balance in blending the soulful side of jazz with the modern (at the time) sound of R&B. June (barely seen here on drums) also put out a solo LP, entitled "Bustin' Out" on the Emarcy label, which includes "It's Gonna Rain", as well as some previously recorded material. This song was originally written by Sonny Bono, and was released as the Sonny and Cher B-side to "I got you babe." Go figure.