TODAY : 20 FAVORITE FEMME RECORDS OF....1952
Note : NOTHING Here was currently released in the UK unless stated
1. MAINLINER – LITTLE ESTHER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX-Ldffcm88
Esther in fine voice with exceptional backing from the Robins on a
terrific early Leiber & Stoller (or STROLLER – Leiber (sic)---as the
Federal record label amusingly has it) number. Unbelievably this didn’t
chart
2. 5-10-15 HOURS – RUTH BROWN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkJ9qMmvOy8
Another memorable #1 r&b hit for Ruth from the pen of Rudy Toombs on
Atlantic to follow his previous chart topper for her “Teardrops From My Eyes” in 1950
3. YOUR DADDY’S DOGGIN’ AROUND – TODD RHODES (CONNIE ALLEN)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFDQTNjatzY
Connie Allen does the honors on this King goodie with solid backing from
Rhodes and his boys. One of the most important 50’s recordings that has really been brought to the fore of my attention in the 25+ years I’ve
been on this newsgroup Curiously 45cat has this as 1951 but I’ll stay
with Bruce,Samp and Global Dog who all have 1952
4. IT WASN’T GOD WHO MADE HONKY TONK ANGELS – KITTY WELLS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UltqjWqdfmA
Famously the first woman to occupy the #1 spot on the BB country chart
and
with the record that took her there. Sequel on Decca to Hank Thompson’s earlier “Wild Side Of :Life” strictly from the female viewpoint.
Criminally not released in UK at the time---and even more criminally still,Wells NEVER had a single released in UK until 1964. There was
however an EP tho on Brunswick over here in the 50’s with this song on
it
5. ROCKET 69 – TODD RHODES (CONNIE ALLEN)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWLaBz-R2j0
Similar comments apply here to Connie’s followup to #3 above as the ones
I made there.Strident number by Connie with Todd Rhodes’ boys again in
fine backup voice. Chalk up another victory for the King label
6. I’M GONNA PLAY THE HONKY TONKS – MARIE ADAMS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CD7oyy6Vlc
Some differences of opinion right now as to whether this classic is a
1952 record on Peacock label that charted #3 BBr&b as I’ve had it (as
have many others) for many years or whether it truly belongs in 1951 (as
the catalog # seems to suggest). Right now I’m minded to leave it
exactly where it is
So you go right ahead Marie---and SLAY those honky tonks!!
7. AGED AND MELLOW – LITTLE ESTHER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dwQvwnciuoe
One of my very favorite Esther Phillips recordings from the Federal
label in
mid-1952. Here’s what Billboard had to say about it
“LITTLE ESTHER – AGED AND MELLOW (Federal 12078)
“Tune has clever lyrics and Little Esther makes the most of them with
her distinctive vocal style” (Billboard review June 7 1952)
8. I’LL DROWN IN MY TEARS – SONNY THOMPSON (LULA REED)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzgHXiMuMUI
Released in April 1952 on the King label as Sonny Thompson & his
ensemble along
with a distinctive vocal from Miss Lula Reed present the original
version of a true r&b classic---later to be made more legendary still at
the hands of Ray Charles who will raise the number to even greater
heights as the now re-named masterpiece “Drown In My Own Tears”
9. GRANDPA CAN BOOGIE TOO – LIL GREENWOOD & THE FOUR JACKS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoX1uNlBpmY
At the risk of turning this post into “The King-Federal Show” here’s yet another
absolute classic on the Federal label from 1952 as blues babe Lil
Greenwood
teams up with The Four Jacks r&b vocal group on the tasty “Grandpa Can
Boogie Too” And as with the preceding bunch of King/Federal goodies this
one did not chart either
10. I WANT TO KNOW – VIVIAN VERSON
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Oj-hgI2xXA
Little known but terrific Nashville recorded (tho some sources say Fort
Worth Tx) r&b number on Jim Bulleit’s J-B label by Vivian Verson backed
by Red Calhoun & His Band. The record was released only on 78RPM as far
as I know.And that’s ALL I know (I’d really appreciate anyone who has
any more info adding to this one. Bruce? Anyone?)
11. NEW BLOWTOP BLUES - DINAH WASHINGTON
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y74t63-KfuI
A brand new version on Mercury of the classic “Blowtop Blues” which
Dinah had originally recorded in a #5 hit version with Lionel Hampton &
His Sextet on Decca in 1947 but which originated earlier still in 1945
with the Etta Jones version (backed by the Barney Bigard Orchestra. Both
the Hampton version and Dinah’s new Mercury version peaked at #5 BBr&b
12. YES INDEED - MOMS MABLEY & THE ORIOLES (UNRELEASED)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzI2h-Hv1nE
It was aptly April 1 1952 at a recording session for Jubilee that the
Orioles found themselves backing the comedienne Jackie “Moms” Mabley on
a version of the
old standard “Yes Indeed” . Strangely the combination really worked and
the result was such a standout that Jubilee sat on the recording for DECADES—until our friends at Bear Family put together an incredible box
set of Orioles recordings in 1993
13. FLESH BLOOD AND BONES – LITTLE ESTHER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cossbiHvop4
The then-latest number hot off the songwriting machine that is the
getting hotter by the hour Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller duo with backing
from the always reliable Johnny Otis orchestra and produced by Ralph
Bass at an August 1952 recording session for Federal.
14. MR LOW LOVE – TERRY TIMMONS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7DIterAGxI
“MR. LOW LOVE” (2:32) “I COULD MAKE YOU CARE” (2:40) TERRY TIMMONS (RCA Victor 20-4675; 47-4675) • A big bounce blues is socked out by Terry
Timmons with gusto. The chantress gives a rollicking reading to the cute
lyrics and is supported with wild enthusiasm by the musicians. The
second side is a slow ballad that gives Terry a chance to show her
versatility. Miss Timmons carols the melodic piece appealingly and
brings in a potent side (CASH BOX May 10 1952)
15. GABBIN’ BLUES – BIG MAYBELLE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge7k51m8CPk
Maybelle at her very best here debuting on Okeh with the half spoken
half sung
amusing “Gabbin’ Blues” with the able assistance of the songs co-authoress Rose
Marie McCoy (co-written with Leroy Kirkland) helping out with spoken
parts.
A huge r&b hit for Maybelle this reached #3 BBr&b
16. EASY EASY BABY – VARETTA DILLARD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvkbPLTCWHQ
After a couple of misfires this catchy number (penned by Rudolph Toombs) finally did it for Varetta—and for Savoy records---giving her a big #8
BBr&b record and
bringing a large lump to the throat---sorry I mean WALLET---of a smiling
Granpa Herman Lubinsky
17. THE BLACKSMITH BLUES – ELLA MAE MORSE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr6Djj7MtMQ
One of the best pop records of the year was this catchy “The Blacksmith Blues”
on Capitol which registered a #3 hit BBpop for veteran star Ella Mae
Morse who
had been with the label since almost the very beginning. And at last we
have our
first record here today that received a UK release (also on Capitol)
18. WHEEL OF FORTUNE – KAY STARR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3iamUsIsic
Staying in the pop field hits of the day in 1952 don’t come much bigger
than
“Wheel Of Fortune” that was a huge #1 BBpop hit for Kay Starr who was
just one
of the myriad names that covered the song (originally by Al Costello—and
no I
never heard it either. Anybody got an mp3?). Released in both US and UK
on
Capitol (did not chart in UK since there was not yet a chart to chart on
😊 )
19. TIGER RAG – LES PAUL & MARY FORD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoM7A3Xkj-I
We’re on a roll here with decent pop hits on Capitol---and some of the records
of Les Paul & Mary Ford certainly qualify under that banner including
the #2
catchy BBpop hit “Tiger Rag” now under discussion here. Also on Capitol
in UK same comments re chart apply as with #18 above
20. SO GOOD TO MY BABY – BIG MAYBELLE (UNRELEASED)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTmeZ0TgYO8
From the same October 8 1952 NYC session that produced “Gabbin’ Blues” comes
“So Good To My Baby” another superb track written by Leroy Kirkland and Rose
Marie McCoy with the same backing crew in tow led by Sam “The Man”
Taylor
that sadly will lay unissued in the Okeh vaults until rescued by Charly
Records in 1983
BUBBLING UNDER
21. MISCHIEVOUS BOOGIE – WILLIE MAE THORNTON
22. TROUBLE IN MIND - DINAH WASHINGTON
23. SWEET TALKIN’ DADDY – MARIE ADAMS
24. DRILL DADDY DRILL – DOROTHY ELLIS
25. DID GOD MAKE HONKY TONK ANGELS? – AL MONTGOMERY
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