Bobby Marchan

Have been long drawn to the vocal styling of Bobby Marchan. His unique, expressive phrasing was a feature of some of my favorite Huey Smith and the Clowns cuts such as "Havin A Good Time" and "You Don't Know Yockomo"

The backstory on his colorful life as a transvestite and 1950's drag queen is proof positive that New Orleans and it's music scene was the birthplace of acceptance and tolerance. Tenets which America would be well served to revisit. The original American Babylon.
His version of Big Jay McNeely's "There's Something On Your Mind" just oozes the soulfulness of the era and was a hit on the R&B charts.



Queer Music Heritage published a wonderful tribute piece upon his passing in 1999.
Enjoy.

Stinkin' from drinkin' last night? Calvin Boze's got the cure.

Calvin Boze – Choo, Choo's Bringing My Baby Home. Available thanks yo Be Bop Wino.

Hauntin' Pinochle Blues

Chris Powell & The Five Blue Flames featuring a theremin in this haunting rhythm and blues number from 1951.



(Thanks to Olaf Jens)

Big Chief

Feel The Love.

Dooto/Dootone Records

Formed 1951 in Los Angeles, California by Walter (Dootsie) Williams, Dootone records served as a vehicle for rhythm and blues, jazz, comedy, gospel and popular music.

Although the label was responsible for some killer sides and "respectable" artists (Earth Angel - Penguins, Carl Perkins and Dexter Gordon) it was better known for its novelty "blue" records and its star, Redd Foxx.

Picked up "Laff Along with Foxx" at a garage sale this weekend and hope to burn some of the more racy tracks if the internet file sharing Nazis will allow me.


In the meantime, here is the You Tube offering, complete with some of his classic bits.


Wanna learn more? Check out the Dootone bio here: Dootone/Dooto Discography

Cha Cha Sue

Viva.

Tiny was anything but as her full scale throaty roar can attest to. Skinny girls have no soul.

lindapopcorn

Divorce Me C. O. D. Uh, Rhythmically and Bluesfully.

Today must be my day to find great cover versions of country hits. Though Everybody Loves a Fat Man is my favorite cut from this album posted at The Blues Collective, I'm loving Eddie Mack's Divorce Me C. O. D. too. 

Lazy

Ila Vann

Funk My Soul offers a collection of singles from R & B singer Ila Vann, never released on album or CD.

Get Out Of The Car

Uploaded by mrdantefontana666

The Treniers in 'Juke Box Rhythm'.

Ernie K-Doe at the Mother-in-Law Lounge

Nice footage of Ernie K-Doe at the Mother-in-Law Lounge backed by The Egg Yolk in 2001, just before he passed away.

Hello My Lover:


Te Ta Te Ta Ta:

Both videos uploaded by RoccoFancypants

Big Maybelle

Big Maybelle - The Complete OKeh Sessions 1952-'55. Available thanks to Revenant Glint.


Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On (rec. 2 years before The Killer's version)


Big Maybelle at the Newport Jazz Festival 1958 growlin' and rockin' out "I Ain't Mad at You":

Uploaded by JamesKPower

Martha Davis and Her Spouse will entertain you now....

Let the doorknob hit you where the boogie man bit you....HAH tell him how you REALLY feel, Martha! If you like this one, don't miss her Vip-I-Ty Vip-I-Ty Vop .

Thanks to Mr. Dante Fontana who found this one, but I beat him to the punch posting it here....

Lloyd Fatman Smith

Lloyd "Fatman" Smith, onetime manager for Louis Jordan, laid down a few great R & B tracks himself. You can read his bio and pick up some of his music at Glad Rags.

Messed Up

"I just can't resist when my lips go flippety-flop"?

So singeth Harold Burrage in his brilliantly stupid tune "Hot Dog and a Bottle of Pop". Learn it, sing it, live it.

I'm A Man

Bo Diddley - I'm A Man - EP, available thanks to Uncle Gil's Rockin' Archives.


I'm A Man

Who's Been Ridin' My Mule?

If I ever want to do a compilation called Songs of the Mule 2, I will surely want to use the mule number on this album by Jackie Brenston, which also contains music about chewing gum, fast cars and a song that makes the observation that Fat Meat is Greasy, who knew.

Walkin' With Jackie

Now's our chance to learn more about the fabulous and fascinating Jackie Shane. Not sure if a hyperlink to a Facebook event works, so I'm going to cut and paste. And if you don't know Jackie:

CBC Radio's Inside The Music presents I Got Mine, the story of the soul and R&B singer named Jackie Shane.

Shane was one of the most popular singers in Toronto's thriving R & B scene of the mid-sixties. He was a remarkable figure for his day: he was openly gay and a cross dresser with a flair for fashion. Shane's magnetic charisma and passionate performances made him a favourite of a generation of Toronto club goers.

This first-ever biography sheds some light on an important figure and time in Toronto's music history. Interviews with Jackie's friends and band mates detail his influence on a generation of musicians and performers, and speak of a legacy which extends beyond the realm of music.

I Got Mine: The Story Of Jackie Shane airs Sunday February 28 at 3PM Eastern Time on Radio 2 and 9PM on Radio 1. Please spread the word! It is not scheduled to be podcast at this time.

Written, produced and narrated by Elaine Banks.
Editing and sound design by David Dacks.

How to listen:

In Canada:

On FM radio: find your frequency here: http://www.cbc.ca/frequency/
On Sirius satellite Channel 137: http://www.cbc.ca/sirius/index.html

Everywhere else:

Online: http://www.cbc.ca/listen/index.html

Or: http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/programs.html?INSIDE_THE_MUSIC - go to "listen now" in the right-hand column

http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/programs/insidethemusic/

Steve Gibson and the Red Caps

Here's a real find if you're craving some music in the tradition of Louis Jordan, Wynonie Harris, and the King Cole Trio--the swinging small group hipness featuring Steve Gibson and the Red Caps.

Julia Lee without her Boyfriends

For those of you who might like the exceptional vintage R & B of Julia Lee but not the 60s hully gully of Vivi Bach (below), I had to post this even though it's from the same site. I especially liked Chuck it in a Bucket, I've had days like that too, Julia.