“Let The Good Times Roll – The Complete US Decca Recordings 1936-1954” by LOUIS JORDAN. A Review of the 9CD BEAR FAMILY Box Set.

“…Don’t Care If You’re Young Or Old…Let’s Get Together…And Let The Good Times Roll…”

“Let The Good Times Roll: The Complete US Decca Recordings 1938-1954" by LOUIS JORDAN is old. It was originally issued in 1992 as an 8CD/1LP box set and then when Bear Family finally got the CD licensing rights for the Ella Fitzgerald LP, they reissued it in 1996 as this 9CD box which has remained on catalogue ever since - Bear Family BCD 15557 IH (Barcode 4000127155573).

It’s a 12” x 12” box with a 46-page album-sized booklet featuring a stunning and detailed life story and discography by PETER GRENDYSA - which in itself is peppered with movie stills, newspaper clippings, Harlem Hit Parade charts, Sheet Music etc…

There are 215 tracks (32 unreleased) with expert tape and 78” transfers by the legendary BEAR FAMILY experts in Germany – great sound throughout despite the vintage. Other vocalists and players featured throughout include RODNEY STURGESS (Jordan’s first ever credit in 1939), YACK TAYLOR, DAISY WINCHESTER, MABEL ROBINSON KENNETH HOLLON, BING CROSBY, ELLA FITZGERALD, MARTHA DAVIS, VALLI FORD, LOUIS ARMSTRONG and BILL DOGGETT.

I’ve posted a full discography with reference to everything in the box set at the end of this review – it contains the A&B of 99 releases (78’s and 45’s) with recording details, catalogue numbers, relevant reissues etc (took me a few days that).

The info below details the Previously Unreleased stuff outside of that discography…

Disc 1: 27 Tracks, 75:46 minutes (1938 to 1940)

Disc 2: 26 Tracks, 74:46 minutes (1940 to 1942)
Previously Unreleased - Track 16 “De Laff’s On You” (1941), Track 18 “John, Stop Teasin’ Me”, Track 20 “Teacher (How I Love My Teacher)”, Track 24 “Mister Lovingood”

Disc 3: 24 Tracks, 68:35 minutes (1942 to 1947)
Previously Unreleased - Track 5 “Dirty Snake”, Track 8 “De Laff’s On You” (1942), Track 12 “The Things I Want I Can’t Get At Home”, Track 13 “How High Am I”, Track 15 “The Truth Of The Matter”, Track 16 “Hey! Now Let’s Live”, Track 20 “Louis’ Oldsmobile Song”, Track 21 “Your Socks Don’t Match” [with BING CROSBY] and Track 23 “My Baby Said Yes (Yip, Yip De Hootie)” [with BING CROSBY]

Disc 4: 27 Tracks, 76:19 minutes (1945 to 1952)
Previously Unreleased - Track 6 “Don’t Worry ‘Bout That Mule”, Track 8 “Paper Boy” and Track 27 “Open The Door Richard”

Disc 5: 26 Tracks, 76:10 minutes (1947 to 1950)
Previously Unreleased – Track 9 “Beans And Corn Bread”, Track 16 “Chug Chug Boogie” and Track 17 There’ll Be No Days Like That”

Disc 6: 24 Tracks, 76:49 minutes (1949 to 1951)
Previously Unreleased – Track 9 “Love You ’til Your Money’s Gone Blues”, Track 19 “Louisville Lodge Meeting” and Track 21 “Crazy Baby”

Disc 7: 27 Tracks, 77:25 minutes (1951 to 1955)
Previously Unreleased - Track 1 “If You’ve Got Someplace To Go”, Track 9 “Happy Birthday Boogie”, Track 13 “I Love That Kind Of Carryin’ On”, Track 17 “Garmoochie”, Track 20 “Stop Makin’ Music” and Track 27 “Gimme Gimme Blues”

Disc 8: 27 Tracks, 77:15 minutes (1952 to 1956)
Previously Unreleased – Track 5 “There’s Nothing Else That I Can Do”, Track 7 “The Soon-A-Baby” and Track 8 “There’s Nothing Else That I Can Do” (Alternate Take)

Disc 9: 7 Tracks, 20:06 minutes (1946 to 1950)
[All tracks are LOUIS JORDAN and ELLA FITZGERALD]
Previously Unreleased – Track 3 “Petootie Me”
(Released Version is the October 8 1945 recording – this is the October 15 1945 outtake)

Jordan road-tested all his new material on live audiences, so when he went into the studio, he wasn’t recording songs that might work, he was racking up sure-fire hits. In 1946 alone – he had 6 Number 1’s – one of which, “Choo Choo Ch’ Boogie”, stayed on top of the race charts for an incredible 18 weeks. And like the joyful sound of Glenn Miller’s big band, Jordan’s infectious jive, boogie and rhythm ‘n’ blues lit up the USA and was exactly what the austerity of the war and post war years needed. Decca adverts claimed that 11, 000, 000 GI’s listened to Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five and it was probably accurate.

Then there was the live showmanship, which was the best the world had ever seen. Both James Brown and B.B. King have always name-checked him as the ‘man’ (and think where there influences went and are still going). There was even a stage show a few years back named after his big hit “Five Guys Named Moe” which had punters literally dancing in the aisles. Jordan also pioneered ‘short’s – films of his performances which thrilled movie-going audiences – the precursors of videos. He was one cool and shrewd dude – even if his wife did try to stab him to death and he fired his band with the ruthlessness of a film-noir crook.

In 2009 – nearly 70 years after the event - it’s hard for us now to even comprehend the truly staggering popularity and influence Louis Jordan has had on popular culture. But this wonderful Bear Family box set celebrates that – finally giving one of music’s true heroes his proper due. There are cheaper options for sure, but this is quality - and class is always worth the extra cost…

It may have taken me nearly 20 years to buy it – but that’s another story… drunken debauchery, womanizing, fast horses…wait a minute…that’s someone else’s life…

Recommended big time - hep cats.

LOUIS JORDAN USA Discography on Decca Records (1939 to 1954) with reference to their track placing on the 1992 Bear Family 9CD Box Set “Let The Good Times Roll – The Complete US Decca Recordings 1938-1954” (99 Entries)

Numbers 1 to 66 were originally released on 10” Decca 78’s in the USA – thereafter 7”
[1/5] after a title equates to Disc 1, Track 5 – [2/2] is Disc 2, Track 2 etc

- LOUIS JORDAN and his TYMPANY FIVE – USA 78”s/45's DISCOGRAPHY -

RODNEY STURGIS featuring Lovie Jordan’s Elks Rendez-Vous Band
(Sturgis on Vocals, Louis Jordan on Clarinet, Alto & Baritone Sax)

1. Decca 7550
(Both A&B recorded in December 1938 - released January 1939)
A: Toodle-Loo On Down [1/1]
B: The Girl That Wrecked My Life [not on the box because Jordon isn’t on this]

LOUIS JORDAN and HIS TYMPANY FIVE

2. Decca 7556
(Both A&B recorded December 1938 - released February 1939)
A: Honey In The Bee Ball [1/4]
B: Barnacle Bill The Sailor [1/5]

RODNEY STURGIS featuring Lovie Jordan’s Elks Rendez-Vous Band
(Sturgis on Vocals, Louis Jordan on Clarinet, Alto & Baritone Sax)

3. Decca 7579
(Both A&B recorded December 1938 - released March 1939)
A: So Good [1/2]
B: Away From You [1/3]

LOUIS JORDAN and HIS TYMPANY FIVE

4. Decca 7590
(Recorded March 1939 - released 1939)
A: Flat Face (Instrumental) [1/6]
B: Doug The Jitterbug [1/10]

5. Decca 7609
(Recorded March 1939 – released 1939))
A: Keep A-Knockin’ [1/7]
B: At The Swing Cat’s Ball [1/11]

6. Decca 7623
(Both A&B recorded March 1939 – released 1939)
A: Sam Jones Done Snagged His Britches [1/8]
B: Swinging In A Cocoanut Tree (Instrumental) [1/9]

7. Decca 7675
(Both A&B recorded October 1939 – released 1939
See also No. 65 – it was reissued in 1950 on Decca 25473)
A: Honeysuckle Rose [1/13]
B: But I’ll Be Back [1/15]

8. Decca 7693
(Both A&B recorded October 1939 – released 1939)
A: ‘Fore Day Blues [1/14]
B: You Ain’t Nowhere [1/16]

9. Decca 7705
(Recorded January 1940 - released in 1940
A side has vocals by YACK TAYLOR
See also No. 57 – B was reissued on Decca 24643 in 1949)
A: Hard Lovin’ Blues [1/21]
B: You Run Your Mouth And I’ll Run My Business [1/19]

10. Decca 7719
(Recorded September 1939 - released 1939)
A: You’re My Meat [1/17]
B: Jake, What A Snake (Instrumental) [1/12]

11. Decca 7723
(Recorded January 1940)
A: I’m Alabama Bound [1/20]
B: June Tenth Jamboree [1/18]

12. Decca 7729
(Recorded March 1940; A-side Vocals by DAISY WINCHESTER)
A: You Got To Go When The Wagon Comes [1/22]
B: After School Swing Session (Swinging with Symphony Sid) [1/27]

13. Decca 7745
(Recorded March 1940; A-side has Vocals by MABEL ROBINSON)
A: Lovie Joe [1/23]
B: Somebody Done Hoodooed The Hoodoo Man [1/24]

14. Decca 3253
(Recorded March 1940 – released 1940 [break in number run]
A-side features KENNETH HOLLON on Clarinet. Sax & Possible Vocals)
A: Bounce The Ball (Do Da Little Um Day) [1/25]
B: Don’t Come Crying On My Shoulder [2/3]

15. Decca 7777
(Recorded March 1940 – released 1940)
A: Never Let Your Left Hand Know What Your Right Hand’s Doin’ [2/2]
B: Penthouse In The Basement [1/26]

16. Decca 3360
(Recorded April 1940 – released 1940)
A: Oh Boy, I’m In The Groove [2/1]
B: Waitin’ For The Robert E. Lee [2/4]

17. Decca 8500
(Recorded September 1940 – released 1940)
A: Do You Call That A Buddy (Dirty Cat) [2/7]
B: Pompton Turnpike [2/6]

18. Decca 8501
(Recorded September 1940 – released 1940)
A: I Know You, I Know What You Wanna Do [2/8]
B: A Chicken Ain’t Nothin’ But A Bird [2/5]

19. Decca 8525
(Both A&B recorded January 1941 – released 1941
A was reissued in 1950 on Decca 25473 (see 65)
B was reissued in 1950 on Decca 25394 (see 64))
A: T-Bone Blues [2/11]
B: Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie (Instrumental) [2/9]

20. Decca 8537
(Recorded January 1941 – recorded 1941]
A: The Two Little Squirrels (Nuts To You) [2/10]
B: Pan Pan [2/12]

21. Decca 8560
(Both A&B recorded April 1941 – released 1941
A was reissued in 1950 on Decca 25394)
A: Saxa-Woogie [2/14]
B: Brotherly Love [2/15]

22. Decca 8581
(Recorded April 1941 – released 1941)
A: Boogie Woogie Came To Town [2/17]
B: Saint Vitus Dance [2/13]

23. Decca 8593
(Recorded November 1941 - released 1942
Both tracks later appeared on his first 78’s album set called “Louis Jordan”
a 4 x 78” box set on Decca A-459 issued in 1946
“Kiss” and “Outskirts” (in that order) are the 1st 78” (Decca 23628)
There was a follow-up “I’m Gonna Leave You On The Outskirts…” see 8638)
A: I’m Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town [2/26]
B: Knock Me A Kiss [2/22]

24. Decca 8605
(Recorded November 1941 - released 1942]
A: How ‘Bout That [2/19]
B: The Green Grass Grows All Around [2/23]

25. Decca 8627
(Recorded November 1941 - released 1942)
A: Mama Mama Blues (Rusty Dusty Blues) [2/21]
B: Small Town Boy [2/25]

26. Decca 8638
(Both A&B recorded July 1942 - released October 1942
Both the A&B formed a 78” in the 4x78” album box set “Louis Jordan” issued on Decca A-459 in 1946 (Decca 23628, 23629, 23630 and 26631)
A: I’m Gonna Leave You On The Outskirts Of Town [3/3]
B: It’s A Low-Down Dirty Shame [3/7]

27. Decca 8645
(Recorded July 1942 - released November 1942
B was also issued as Decca 23629 – see notes for 26)
A: What’s The Use Of Getting Sober (When You’re Gonna Get Drunk Again) [3/1]
B: The Chicks I Pick Are Slender, Tender And Tall [3/2]

28. Decca 8653
(Recorded July 1942 - released August 1943
A was also issued as Decca 23630 – see notes for 26)
A: Five Guys Named Moe [3/6]
B: That’ll Just ‘Bout Knock Me Out [3/4]

29. Decca 8654
(Recorded October 1943 – released December 1943)
A: Ration Blues [3/9]
B: Deacon Jones [3/11]

30. Decca 8659
(A Recorded October 1943, B March 1944 – released April 1944
B was also released on Decca 23630 – see notes for 26)
A: G.I. Jive [3/18]
B: Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby [3/10]

31. Decca 8668
(Recorded March 1944 - released February 1945)
A: Mop! Mop! [3/17]
B: You Can’t Get That No More [3/19]

32. Decca 8670
(Recorded January 1945 - released April 1945
Both A&B were reissued in 1947 on Decca 23932)
A: Caldonia [4/3]
B: Somebody Done Changed The Lock On My Door [4/4]

33. Decca 18734
(Recorded January 1945 - released January 1946)
A: Buzz Me [4/1]
B: Don’t Worry ‘Bout That Mule [4/9]

34. Decca 18762
(Recorded October 1945- released March 1946)
A: Salt Port, West Virginia [4/7]
B: Reconversion Blues [4/10]

35. Decca 18818
(Recorded January 1946 - released April 1946
Both A&B were reissued in 1947 on Decca 23931 – see 44)
A: Beware [4/12]
B: Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Cryin’ [4/13]

BING CROSBY with LOUIS JORDAN and his TYMPANY FIVE

36. Decca 23417
(Recorded July 1944 - released 1945.
There is a previously unreleased version of the A on the box set – it’s 3/23]
A: (Yip, Yip De Hootie) My Baby Said Yes [3/22]
B: Your Socks Don’t Match [3/24]

ELLA FITZGERALD and LOUIS JORDAN and his TYMPANY FIVE

37. Decca 23546
(Recorded October 1945 - released June 1946
There is also an unreleased version of “Petootie Pie” on the Box set – it’s 9/3)
A: Stone Cold Dead In The Market (He Had It Comin’) [9/1]
B: Petootie Pie [9/2]

LOUIS JORDAN and HIS TYMPANY FIVE

38. Decca 23610
(Recorded January 1946 - released August 1946)
A: Choo Choo Ch’Boogie [4/14]
B: That Chick’s Too Young To Fry [4/16]

Decca 23628, 23629, 23630 and 23631
(Each is one of 4 x 78”s in an album box set called “Louis Jordan”
It was issued on Decca A-459 in 1946)
23628 is “Knock Me A Kiss” and “I’m Gonna Move To…”
23629 is “The Chicks I Pick…” and “What’s The Use Of Getting Sober…”
23630 is “Is You Is…” and “Five Guys Named Moe”
23631 is “It’s A Low-Down Dirty Shame” and “Mama Mama Blues”

39. Decca 23669
(Recorded June 1946 - released October 1946)
A: Ain’t That Just Like A Woman (They’ll Do It Every Time) [4/15]
B: If It’s Love That You Want, That’s Me [4/18]

40. Decca 23741
(Recorded June 1946 - released December 1946)
A: Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens [4/19]
B: Let The Good Times Roll [4/20]

41. Decca 23810
(A Recorded October 1946, B March 1944 - released Feb 1947)
A: Texas And Pacific [4/22]
B: I Like ‘Em Fat Like That [3/14]

42. Decca 23841
(Recorded January 1947 - released March 1947)
(There is a previously unreleased version of the A in the box set – it’s 4/27)
A: Open the Door, Richard! [5/2]
B: It’s So Easy [4/11]

43. Decca 23901
(Recorded October 1946 - released May 1947)
A: Jack, You’re Dead [4/23]
B: I Know What You’re Puttin’ Down [4/26]

44. Decca 23931
(Reissue of 35 – Decca 18818 – released 1947)
A: Beware [4/12]
B: Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Cryin’ [4/13]

45. Decca 23932
(Reissue of 32 – Decca 8670 – released 1947)
A: Caldonia [4/3]
B: Someone Done Changed The Lock On My Door [4/4]

46. Decca 24104
(A Recorded April 1947, B October 1946 - Released August 1947)
A: Boogie Woogie Blue Plate [5/3]
B: Sure Had A Wonderful Time [4/25]

47. Decca 24155
(A Recorded in June 1947, B in April 1947 – Released Oct 1947)
A: Look Out [5/8]
B: Early In The Morning [5/6]

48. Decca 24300
(A Recorded April 1947, B July 1945 – Released February 1948)
A: Barnyard Boogie [5/4]
B: How Long Must I Wait For You [4/5]

49. Decca 24381
(A Recorded Oct 1946, B in December 1947 – Released April 1948)
A: Reet, Petite And Gone [4/24]
B: Inflation Blues [5/14]

50. Decca 24448
(A in April 1947, B Recorded in Oct 1946 – Released July 1948)
A: Run Joe [5/7]
B: All For The Love Of Lil [4/21]

51. Decca 24483
(A Recorded in Dec 1947, B in Nov 1947 – Released Sept 1948)
A: Don’t Burn That Candle At Both Ends [5/20]
B: We Can’t Agree [5/11]

LOUIS JORDAN and his TYMPANY FIVE and MARTHA DAVIS

52. Decca 24502
(Both A&B recorded December 1947 – released October 1948
(Martha Davis is duet vocals on both A & B
The A-side is featured in the Danny Kaye movie “A Song Is Born”)
A: Daddy-O [5/22]
B: You’re On The Right Track, Baby [5/19]

LOUIS JORDAN and his TYMPANY FIVE

53. Decca 24527
(Both A&B recorded in December 1947 (different dates) – released Dec 1948)
A: Pettin’ And Pokin’ [5/18]
B: Why’d You Do It, Baby [5/21]

54. Decca 24571
(Both A&B recorded in November 1947 – released in March 1949)
A: Roamin’ Blues [5/13]
B: Have You Got The Gumption [5/10]

55. Decca 24587
(Both A&B recorded February 1949 – Released April 1949)
A: You Broke Your Promise [5/25]
B: Safe, Sane And Single [5/23]

56. Decca 24633
(A recorded April 1949 – B recorded April 1947 - released May 1949
The A only features BILL DOGGETT on Piano)
A: Cole Slaw (Sorghum Switch) [6/1]
B: Every Man To His Own Profession [5/5]

57. Decca 24643
(A is a reissue of Decca 7705 (Number 9)
B is a reissue of Decca 8501 (Number 18) – released 1949)
A: You Run Your Mouth And I’ll Run My Business [1/19]
B: A Chicken Ain’t Nothing But A Bird [2/5]

ELLA FITZGERALD and LOUIS JORDAN and his TYMPANY FIVE

58. Decca 24644
(A&B recorded April 1949 – released June 1949)
A: Baby It’s Cold Outside [9/4]
B: Don’t Cry, Cry Baby [9/5]

LOUIS JORDAN and his TYMPANY FIVE

59. Decca 24673
(A recorded April 1949 – B recorded November 1947 – released August 1949
Both feature BILL DOGGETT on Piano)
A: Beans And Corn Bread [6/2]
B: Chicky-Mo, Caney-Crow [5/12]

60. Decca 24725
(A&B recorded in August 1949 – released October 1949
Both feature BILL DOGGETT on Piano)
A: Saturday Night Fish Fry (Part 1) [6/10 for both]
B: Saturday Night Fish Fry (Part 2)

61. Decca 24815
(A recorded April 1949 – B in February 1949 – released January 1950
The A only features BILL DOGGETT on Piano)
A: School Days [6/7]
B: I Know What I’ve Got, Don’t Know What I’m Getting [5/24]

62. Decca 24877
(A recorded April 1949 – B in August 1949 – released March 1950
Both feature BILL DOGGETT on Piano)
A: Push-Ka-Pee She Pie (The Saga Of Saga Boy) [5/26]
B: Hungry Man [6/8]

63. Decca 24981
(Both A&B recorded April 1949 – released 1950
Both feature BILL DOGGETT on Piano)
A: Baby’s Gonna Go Bye Bye [6/4]
B: Heed My Warning [6/5]

64. Decca 25394
(A is a reissue of 19B – B is a reissue of 21A – released 1950)
A: Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie [2/9]
B: Saxa-Woogie [2/14]

65. Decca 25473
(A is a reissue of Decca 7675 (Number 7)
B is a reissue of Decca 8525 (Number 19) – released 1950)
A: Honeysuckle Rose [1/13]
B: T-Bone Blues [2/11]

66. Decca 27058
(A&B recorded April 1949 – released 1950
Both feature BILL DOGGETT on Piano)
A: Onion (Instrumental) [6/3]
B: Psycho-Loco (Instrumental) [6/6]

67. Decca 9-27114 [9 prefix indicates 7” 45RPM single]
(A&B recorded June 1950 – released August 1950)
A: Blue Light Boogie, Part 1 [6/13 for both]
B: Blue Light Boogie, Part 2

68. Decca 9-27129
(A&B recorded June 1950 – released 1950)
A: I Want A Roof Over My Head [6/11]
B: Show Me How (You Milk A Cow) [6/12]

ELLA FITZGERALD and LOUIS JORDAN and his TYMPANY FIVE

69. Decca 9-27200
(Both A&B recorded August 1950 – released November 1950)
A: I’ll Never Be Free [9/7]
B: Ain’t Nobody’s Business But My Own [9/6]

LOUIS JORDAN and his TYMPANY FIVE

70. Decca 9-27203
(Both A&B recorded August 1950 at different sessions – released October 1950
Both feature BILL DOGGETT on Piano)
A: Tamburitza Boogie [6/14]
B: Trouble Then Satisfaction [6/20]

LOUIS ARMSTRONG with LOUIS JORDAN and his TYMPANY FIVE

71. Decca 9-27212
A: (I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead) You, Rascal You [6/23]
B: Life Is So Peculiar [6/22]

LOUIS JORDAN and his TYMPANY FIVE

72. Decca 9-27324
(Both A&B recorded in August 1950 – released January 1951)
A: Lemonade [6/16]
B: (You Dyed Your Hair) Chartreuse [6/15]

73. Decca 9-27424
(A recorded in December 1950 – B in August 1950 – released March 1951)
A: Tear Drops From My Eyes [6/24]
B: It’s A Great, Great Pleasure [6/17]

74. Decca 9-27547
(Both A&B recorded in March 1951 – released May 1951)
A: Weak Minded Blues [7/2]
B: Is My Pop In There? [7/3]

75. Decca 9-27620
(A recorded in March 1951 – B in August 1950 – released 1951)
A: I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby [7/4]
B: You Will Always Have A Friend [6/18]

76. Decca 27648
(Both A&B recorded in June 1951 – released in 1951)
A: If You're So Smart, How Come You Ain't Rich? [7/5]
B: How Blue Can You Get [7/8]

77. Decca 27694
(Both A&B recorded in June 1951 – released 1951)
A: Please Don’t Leave Me [7/11]
B: Three-Handed Woman [7/14]

78. Decca 27784
(A recorded in June 1951 – B in July 1951 – released 1951)
A: Trust In Me [7/6]
B: Cook-A-Doodle Doo [7/16]

79. Decca 27806
(Both A&B recorded in June 1951 – released December 1951)
A: May Every Day Be Christmas [7/10]
B: Bone Dry [7/12]

80. Decca 27898
(A recorded November 1951 – B recorded June 1946 – released 1952)
A: Lay Something On The Bar (Besides Your Elbow) [7/26]
B: No Sale [4/17]

81. Decca 27969
(A recorded in June 1951 – B in November 1951 – released in 1952)
A: Louisville Lodge Meeting [7/7]
B: Work Baby Work [7/22]


82. Decca 28088
(Both A&B recorded in November 1951 – released in 1952)
A: Slow Down [7/21]
B: Never Trust A Woman [7/23]

83. Decca 28211
(Both A&B recorded in April 1952 – released in 1952)
A: Junco Partner [8/1]
B: Azure-Te (Paris Blues) [8/3]

84. Decca 28225
(A recorded in April 1952 – B in May 1952 – released 1952)
A: Oil Well Texas [8/3]
B: Jordan For President [8/6]

85. Decca 9-28355
(Both A&B recorded in November 1951 – released in 1952
A-side features VALLI FORD on Vocals)
A: All Of Me [7/24]
B: There Goes My Heart [7/25]

86. Decca 9-28444
(A recorded in January 1947 – B in December 1947 – released in 1952)
A: Friendship [5/1]
B: You’re Much Too Fat (And That’s That) [5/15]

87. Decca 9-28543
(Both A&B recorded in December 1952 – released in 1953)
A: You Didn’t Want Me Baby [8/10]
B: A Man’s Best Friend Is A Bed [8/11]

88. Decca 9-28664
(Both A&B recorded in February 1952 – released in 1953)
A: It’s Better To Wait For Love [8/13]
B: Just Like A Butterfly (That’s Caught In The Rain) [8/15]

89. Decca 9-28756
(Both A&B recorded in May 1953 – released in 1953)
A: Hog Wash [8/16]
B: House Party [8/17]

90. Decca 9-28820
(A recorded in April 1952 - B in July 1951 - released in 1953)
A: Time Marches On [8/2]
B: There Must Be A Way [7/18]

91. Decca 9-28883
(Both A&B recorded in May 1953 – released in 1953)
A: I Want You To Be My Baby [8/19]
B: You Know It Too [8/20]

92. Decca 9-28983
(A recorded in May 1952, B in June 1951 - released in 1953)
A: The Soon-A Baby [8/9]
B: Fat Sam From Birmingham [7/15]

93. Decca 9-29018
(Both A&B recorded in January 1954 – released in 1954)
A: Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out [8/23]
B: Lollypop [8/26]

94. Decca 9-29166
((Both A&B recorded February 1953 – released in 1953)
A: Only Yesterday [8/14]
B: I Didn’t Know What Time It Was [8/12]

95. Decca 9-29263
(Both A&B recorded in January 1954 – released in 1954)
A: If It’s True [8/24]
B: Wake Up Jacob [8/25]

96. Decca 9-29424
(Both A&B recorded in January 1954 – released in 1954)
A: Locked Up [8/21]
B: Perdido (Instrumental) [8/27]

97. Decca 9-29655
(A recorded in May 1953, B recorded November 1951 – released in 1954
A is a reissue of Decca 28883 (Number 91))
A: I Want You To Be My Baby [8/19]
B: Come And Get It (Instrumental) [7/19]

98. Decca 9-29860
(A recorded in January 1954 – B in May 1953 – released in 1954)
A: I Gotta Move [8/22]
B: Everything That's Made of Wood [8/18]

99. Decca 30223
(A recorded in May 1953. B in April 1947 – released in 1954
A is a reissue of 91 and 97; B is a reissue of 50)
A: I Want You To Be My Baby [8/19]
B: Run Joe [5/7]

This review and many others like it are part of my SOUNDS GOOD Music Book Series. 
There's five books so far - and this is in the "Blues, Vocal Groups, Rhythm 'n' Blues and Rock 'n' Roll" edition - over 1750 e-pages full of great info and ideas...

"Standing Ovation - The Very Best Of The Dells 1966 – 1981" by THE DELLS (June 2007 UK Universal 2CD Compilation with Erick Labson Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"SOUL GALORE!" 

60ts Soul, R&B, Northern Soul

Mod, New Breed, Funk, Jazz Dancers, Rare Grooves

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"…Stay In My Corner…"

As you can see from the track listing below - both discs in this superlative 2CD Anthology are jam-packed full of goodies. 10 are new to CD (out of a total of 39) with the rest of the songs being hard-to-find – and especially in top sound quality.

Released June 2007 - "Standing Ovation: The Very Best Of 1966–1981" by THE DELLS on Universal 9849280 (Barcode 602498492802) is a 39-track 2CD set of Remasters and plays out as follows (all catalogue numbers are USA):

Disc 1 (78:23 minutes):

1. Run For Cover ("There Is", May 1968 LP on Cadet LPS-804 (Stereo)/LP-804 (Mono))

2. Thinkin' About You (June 1967 7" single on Cadet 5538, A-side)

3. There Is [Raynard Miner (of The Gems) & Bobby Miller song] (as per 1)

4. When I'm In Your Arms (as per 1)

5. (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher (Jackie Wilson cover) (as per 1)

6. Make Sure (You Have Someone Who Loves You) ("The Dells Musical Menu - Always Together", February 1969 LP on Cadet LPS-822)

7. Believe Me (as per 6)

8. Wear It On Our Face (as per 1)

9. Stay In My Corner (as per 1)

10. Dos Anybody Know I'm Here? (as per 6)

11. Always Together (Bobby Miller song) (as per 6)

12. Oh, What A Night (Remake of their 1956 Vee-Jay Doo Wop hit) ("Love Is Blue", August 1969 LP on Cadet LPS-829)

13. Medley: I Can Sing A Rainbow/Love Is Blue (as per 12)

14. A Whiter Shade Of Pale (Procol Harum cover) (as per 12)

15. One Less Bell To Answer (5th Dimension cover/Burt Bacharach song) ("Freedom Means", August 1971 LP on Cadet CA 50004)

16. It's All Up To You (Terry Callier/Larry Wade song) (as per 15)

17. The Love We Had (Stays On My Mind) (Larry Wade/Terry Callier song) (as per 15)

18. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself (Bacharach/David song) ("The Dells Sing Dionne Warwicke's Greatest Hits", July 1972 LP on Cadet CA 50017)

19. Just As Long As We're In Love (Terry Callier/Larry Wade song) ("Sweet As Funk Can Be", November 1972 LP on Cadet CA 50021)

20. Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation ("Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation", June 1973 LP on Cadet CA 50037)

21. Closer (as per 20)

Disc 2 (79:42 minutes)

1. I Miss You ("The Dells", November 1973 LP on Cadet CA 50046)

2. Learning To Love You Was Easy ("The Mighty Mighty Dells", September 1974 LP on Cadet CA 60030)

3. Strung Out Over You ("The Dells Vs The Dramatics", March 1974 LP on Cadet CA 60027)

4. Bring Back The Love Of Yesterday (as per 2)

5. We Got To Get Our Thing Together ("We Got To Get Our Thing Together", November 1975 LP on Cadet 60044)

6. I'll Be Waiting There For You (as per 5)

7. Thank God You're My Lady (as per 5)

8. No Way Back ("No Way Back", June 1976 LP on Mercury SRM-1 1084)

9. Slow Motion (as per 8)

10. Our Love ("They Said It Couldn't Be Done, But We Did It", May 1977 LP on Mercury SRM-1 1145)

11. Could It Be (as per 10)

12. Private Property ("Love Connection", January 1978 LP on Mercury SRM-3711)

13. Don't Trick Me, Treat Me (as per 12)

14. (You Bring Out) The Best In Me ("Face To Face", February 1979 LP on ABC Records AA-1113)

15. Your Song ("I Touched A Dream", August 1980 LP on 20th Century T-816)

16. I Touched A Dream (as per 15)

17. All About The Paper (12" Remixed Version) [Album version on 15)

18. Whatever Turns You On ("Whatever Turns You On", 1981 LP on 20th Century T-633)

The 12-page booklet has an informative and very affection essay by lifetime fan RICHARD SEARLING with 2 pages of basic track lists (unfortunately the pictures of the band, the tasty Cadet labels and the album sleeves are very small and almost unreadable).

It opens with a peach "Run For Cover" and frankly never lets up. No less than 6 tracks from their sensational Cadet debut "There Is" are included - and rightly so - but a big omission from the period is the truly gorgeous "O-O, I Love You" - a November 1969 USA 7" single on Cadet 5574 - as lovely a soul ballad as you could possibly hear with searing duet vocals from the boys and stunning Charles Stepney string arrangements. It's available elsewhere - seek it out.

Speaking of soul heroes - Stepney was heavily involved in the Cadet label (a Chess offshoot) and The Rotary Connection featuring Minnie Riperton, while he arranged and produced at least 6 of The Dells LPs for the label. He also worked on the beautiful Terry Callier trilogy for Cadet in the early 70's (see reviews for "Occasional Rain" and "I Just Can't Help Myself"). His classy stamp is all over most of Disc 1 and the beginning of 2 - sweet, sweet soulful arrangements.

A really clever choice too is the 12" extended mix of "All About The Paper" - exclusive to this disc; it's a funky little gem backed with Eugene Record's "I Touched A Dream" (sides were reversed on 12" in the UK). I also adore the slinky groove of Anthony Hester's "I Miss You". And on it goes...

Although it doesn't say who remastered the set, earlier Universal compilations were all done by ERICK LABSON (has over 1000 mastering credits to his name) and the sound quality here matches those - BEAUTIFUL and CLEAR. Bobby Miller's original production values shine through also. And even though it gets a bit Stylistics cheesy towards the end - the quality of songs throughout is alarmingly good - there really is so much on hear to admire and enjoy. If anything - the discography provided above shows how many of their albums 'aren't' on CD and need to be...

The Dells are now the longest-running group in the world (remaining members are in their Seventies) and this gem of a release does them proud. Big time recommended.

PS: Dear compilers in Universal/Hip-O Select - A Dells/Charles Stepney box set please...

“The End – Confessions Of A Cockney Gangster” – A Review Of The 2008 DVD.

“…Apples And Pears Darling…”

Only a few days ago, I was cycling into work in the morning sunshine and had stopped at the traffic lights immediately beside Holborn Tube station in Central London. And I heard something really unusual. It was a Cockney accent. By the railings just as you come out of the entrance was a brand new fruit trader shouting his Beau Bells head off like they do - prices of plums, bananas, apples and pears, weather reports, comments on the ladies and their pencil skirts, lurid remarks about their wobbling bums and heaving cleavage. And I thought now that's refreshing...

I mentioned it to the boys when I got into work a few minutes later because - (a) apart from the fruit market at the bottom of our Berwick Street, you just don't hear that 'exclusive' London accent anymore... and (b) there is no one more politically incorrect and therefore as funny as a Cockney.

"The End - Confessions Of A Cockney Gangster" is about the East End of London and the criminals that arose out of it. If you are born within earshot of the bells of the London Church of St. Mary-Le-Bow in Cheapside - you're a proper Cockney from the East End of London (nicknamed "The End"). The style of the film is a daughter interviewing her criminal Dad and associates - trying to understand why they did what they did - and still do. It's done in a documentary style and consists of interviews with 11 people - some are reformed Christians, some unrepentant who still spend their lives avoiding the law and its consequences.

Written, filmed and directed by NICOLA COLLINS, the danger in this film is that the cheeky-wide-boy antics of these thugs becomes mere entertainment and the very real destruction they reaped on people's lives and their communities gets lost in a wave of sappy nostalgia that isn't deserved. But Nicola bravely doesn't shirk it in what she leaves 'in' about her Dad and his buddies...what she could have edited out and didn't. So there are times when the reminiscences are sickeningly violent, grotesque and tortuous to a point where you think these uneducated yobs are little more than animals, but there are also times when the remembered characters and events are ball-breakingly funny - violent and funny - and at times of course - a strange mixture of both.

All of them talk of 'bird' - doing prison-time. Some can hack it, many can't. Some are even smart enough to realize the staggering waste of it all - all those years banged up because they couldn't shut up and control themselves. As to why they turn to crime, there's the convenient and shallow excuse about poverty and having to find a way out of it - few seem willing to admit that they took the easy road while ordinary people simply grafted for their families and loved ones. Some talk about keeping the violence away from their loved ones - but again it reeks of hypocrisy. Dad gets banged up while the wife, son and daughter get left behind and screwed by it... Two are now born-again Christians - sickened to their very souls by the corruptive nature of what they were doing. They actually seem saved to me...and not in the least bit sappy.

But as the Capitol city of Great Britain literally becomes the melting pot of the world, you can't help but feel that 'suited 'n' booted' Cockneys are a life force that's disappearing in a sea of other Nationalities... In a few years, will they even exist at all? Who knows?

So what's it all about Alfie?

Although there's a sort of guilty voyeuristic pleasure to be had in this strange film, I was finally left with an all-abiding feeling of sadness, a way of life that led too many of these men into wasted years behind bars at her Majesties Service - which is exactly where you can't help but feel the snot-noses who run Great Britain want all of them. Keep them uneducated; you keep them in their corner...

Cockneys are both full of shit and full of fun. Underworld Cockneys are even more so. Everyone knows that. And I don't know why we have such affection for them - I really don't.

But a part of me hopes that in some way, that Fruit Trader makes it...

“2010: The Year We Make Contact” – A Review of the 1984 Peter Hyams Movie Now Reissued on BLU RAY in 2009.

“…I Want To Play A Game With You Dr. Floyd…It’s Called The Truth…”

When MGM began making "2010: The Year We Make Contact" in February 1984, the CD was in its infancy, nothing was digital and portable and the Internet and the global sharing of ideas and images was non-existent. Showing its film age badly - in one particular scene Roy Schreider even talks of information being given to his astronauts on 'cassettes' - on board a Jupiter spaceship mission for God's sake!
Even the television monitors were black screens with monosyllabic block lettering on them and nothing else... Why mention all of this, because it has of course - in some places - dated the film very badly...

But - and this is a big but - for its time (finally released in 1985), "2010" was an extraordinary vision and a technological marvel. It provided the moviegoer with a superbly detailed and realistic depiction of future space travel, shots of the majestic Jupiter and its moons Io and Europa that were and still are incredibly accurate. Even the story of the Americans and Russians coming together so as not to annihilate each other was both relevant and damn good - and made for a great end message by Bowman (Keir Dullea - who looked like he hadn't aged a day since 1968's original "2001"). Throw in model makers from the Star Wars Trilogy, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Poltergeist and Ghostbusters - and the goodies were bound to be on display and they are. Which brings us unfortunately to the bad news...

...this is one of those instances where the enhanced BLU RAY image has only worsened an already hazy print...

You see - once you go from the entirely model-led outside shots (say of outer space) which are clean, beautiful and impressive to look at - into the interior shots and live action on dimly-lit stages - the blurriness and shading act as a direct contrast to the clarity you just saw - it drive you nuts. And because a good 70 to 80% of the movie is 'inside' - the effect of the wonderfully realized and designed interiors is almost completely lost. It's like watching Aliens without the clarity - or Star Wars on blurry videotape. It's as if a heavy filter hangs over every frame - and it makes the BLU RAY picture feel and look very dated.

Don't get me wrong - the picture 'is' lovely in some places - but in the main - it's not - which is a huge disappointment.

The only real extra is a 10-minute 1984 'making of' called "2010; The Odyssey Continues" which is fascinating and contains very brief interviews with all the principals - Roy Scheider as Dr. Floyd, Helen Mirren as the Russian pilot Tanya, John Lithgow as Dr. Curnow, Elya Baskin as the loveable Russian Max, Bob Balaban as Chandra the genius who created Hal-9000 - Discovery's malfunctioning computer (voiced by Douglas Rain). There's interesting stuff too with Richard Edlund the model maker - the make-up people - interior designs - even words from author Arthur C Clarke and director Peter Hyams about the screenwriting process in 1983 when they were prepping for the film.

I really had such high hopes for this BLU RAY release, but unfortunately I'd say hire it first before you buy...

The film was - and still is - excellent - an impressive one even.
But this BLU RAY reissue of it is anything but.

It's not "full of stars" folks, it's barely pushing three.

And what a shame that Roy Scheider is no longer with us...



PS: the above Blu Ray of the original "2001" is by direct contrast probably one of the most beautifully transferred oldies - ever. Up there with "Zulu", "Pinnochio" and the Bond films...

"What Color Is Love" by TERRY CALLIER (March 2008 UK Universal/Verve 'ORIGINALS' CD Series Reissue and Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...All Those Notes Won't Take The Pain Away..."

At about 1:58 into the astonishing "Dancing Girl" (the opening nine-minute track of "What Color Is Love") it gets very quiet and the acoustic guitar holds the speakers alone – then Don Myrick's tasteful sax work floats in followed by keyboard flourishes and some wickedly arranged strings by Charles Stepney. The effect is absolutely magical…

And after you've put your jaw back into place - you're left standing there with a genuine incomprehension…how has something this lovely and genuinely soulful been forgotten? Why isn't this huge?

"What Color Is Love" was released on LP in March 1973 in the USA on Cadet CA 50019 and is the second of three albums TERRY CALLIER made for the Chess offshoot label Cadet in the Seventies – the first was "Occasional Rain" in 1972 (see separate review) and the third was "I Just Can't Help Myself" in late 1973 (see review for Japanese CD import).

Both "What Color Is Love" and "Occasional Rain" are part of Universal’s “ORIGINALS” CD reissue series – Jazz, Soul, Fusion and Latin LPs reissued and remastered onto CD from a multitude of labels under the Universal umbrella. All use generic artwork (the originals name and band on the left of the sleeve as pictured above) and are gatefold card digipaks issued at mid-price. Although the card digipaks are aesthetically pleasing as mini-repro LP sleeves, unfortunately most come without booklets - this album’s recording credits on the inner flap for instance are barely legible. Which is a bummer because if ever an album deserved fresh liner notes, history, photos, a new interview - but alas…

Released on CD in March 2008 - "What Color Is Love" by TERRY CALLIER on Verve Originals B0011921-02 (Barcode 602517829749) is a straightforward transfer of the album onto CD and plays as follows (40:44 minutes):

1. Dancing Girl

2. What Color Is Love

3. You Goin' Miss Your Candyman

4. Just As Long As We’re In Love

5. Ho Tsing Mee (A Song Of The Sun)

6. I'd Rather Be With You

7. You Don't Care

The good news is that the Remaster is beautiful - the tapes transferred by a name I’ve seen on hundreds of quality reissues - KEVIN REEVES. So mellow, so lovely… a great job done.

 As well as the wonderful breath of "Dancing Girl" (lyrics above) - highlights include the huge build up on Side One’s closer “You Goin’ To Miss Your Candyman” (co-written with Phyllis Braxton), the “I-must-hit-the-road but I wanna…” soft-soul of "I'd Rather Be With You" (co-written with Larry Wade and Jerry Butler) and the so 5th Dimension girly vocals of Kitty Haywood, Shirley Wahls and Vivian Harrell on "You Don't Care" – a song so up with hippy-love-and-harmony that it may have some of you going to work in a sunny disposition on the drizzliest of Monday mornings…

PHIL UPCHURCH features on Guitar throughout, while another soul-hero associated with the album is CHARLES STEPNEY who arranged, conducted and produced the project to such sweet effect (also played keyboards). He was involved in The Rotary Connection with Minnie Riperton, produced four albums with The Dells and even twiddled the knobs on the iconic and now much-vaulted psych-blues-fusion album "Electric Mud" by Muddy Waters. I'd personally scour down anything he had a hand in - a genius...

Like Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", Donny Hathaway's "Extension Of A Man", Stevie Wonder's "Innervisions" and Callier's predecessor to this "Occasional Rain" - this is a proper soul album - a gem all the way through and still beautiful and inspiring to this day - some 30/40 years after the event. Why isn’t the LP artwork of this masterpiece on someone's t-shirt somewhere as the ultimate street-cool – who knows? But you owe it to yourself to check it out. 

In his later years Terry Callier had morphed (like Richie Havens) into a sort of elder statesman of Soul - still spreading his gospel of love and understanding (check out "Timepeace" from 1998 - unbelievably good and relevant to the now and not just past glories). I've warbled on a bit I know but Callier’s run of three albums on Cadet in the Seventies deserve it...