July 31st

For all those with the know-how (I'm still trying to figure it out), I have added a subscription link to my blog. I will be updating every Thursday, but this way you can get the email and what-not to stay abreast.

Jackie Hairston - Hijack

There is no information to be found on Jackie Hairston. This is his only release and it came out on 45 as well as on an EP combined with Arthur Conley's 45 release of "Sweet Soul Music". My hunch tells me that Hairston was either a studio musician for ATCO or was another recording artist, performing under a different name. The biggest mystery of this 45 is that Otis Redding seemed to have written and produced the organ-grinder funk instrumental as well as the junkie-themed flip. The record was released in '67, the year that Redding died, and hints at what might have been if the soul legend would have lived on.

Jackie Hairston -
Monkey On My Back

Jessie Hill -
My Children, My Children

Jessie Hill was one of the first New Orleans artists to take the sprouting R&B scene of NOLA, and make it global. He played with Professor Longhair and "Piano" Smith through the 50's. Then in 1960, his most well known hit, "Ooh-Poo-Pa-Doo", sold 800,000 copies placing Hill in the Billboard R&B top 5. It has been covered by hundreds of well-known artists (Ike & Tina, Taj Mahal, Etta James, The Kingsmen, Wilson Pickett, The Shirelles, Jimmy Smith, Rufus Thomas, and Mitch Ryder, just to name a few) and remains one of the most influential New Orleans R&B cuts of all time. After his early success, Hill went on to tour with Dr. John, Ike & Tina, Sonny and Cher and Willie Nelson. He truly is a musicians favorite. "My Children..." was originally released on Wand records in 1966, then picked up by Chess in '67. It was one of his last releases, only to be followed by a 45 on the Pulsar label in '68 ("Free and Easy") and an LP on Blue Thumb ("Naturally") in '71. "My Children..." was written by both Hill and Dr. John (Rebenneck) and is the perfect example of how the early R&B sound morphed into New Orleans' own distinct flavors of soul and then funk.

Denotations - Lone Stranger

I'm not sure why i keep picking 45s that can not be traced. The Denotations were a Philly group and this was there only release (to my knowledge). I like it 'cause it sounds like Gino. 'Nuff said. PS - Someone out there with a Doo-Wop book, please hip me to some history here.

Lelan Rogers - Hold It pt.1

Lelan Rogers is a legend, at least around Texas. His biggest claim to fame was that he owned/produced for the label, International Artists (home of 13th floor elevators, Red Krayola, etc.). As is usually mentioned when Lelan's name comes up, he also happened to be the big brother to country star, Kenny Rogers. After IA, Lelan also had a great deal of success with his other labels Silver Fox and Lennox. Throughout his career, Lelan produced for a number of big acts including Esther Phillips, Betty Lavette and Big Al Dowling. "Hold It" came out on the Houston-based Lynn label (also owned by Lelan, in photo with R&B legend Hank Ballard) in 1960. Lynn was only around from 59-61, but managed to put out just under 20 releases in the 3-year span. Other Lynn artists (and Lelan produced material) include Mickey Gilley, Sunny and the Sunglows (of Tejano R&B fame), The Epics, and Bobby Doss.