Hey Cat !

Hey Cat !

Thursday 23 July 2015

Sims Records !


Jimmy Patton .
Sims Record # 103 - 1955
Guilty / Careful (Duet with Ann Jones)



Born Oscar James Patton, 28 October 1931, Berwin, Oklahoma
Died 25 June 1989, Portland, Oregon

Jimmy Patton was basically a country singer and not a very successful one at that, but his claim to fame lies in a couple of ferocious rockabilly recordings, most notably "Okie's In the Pokie", "Yah! I'm Movin'" and "Let Me Slide", all of which have been heavily reissued on compilations.

Born on a farm in Oklahoma, Patton and his family moved to Springfield, Oregon in 1943. It was here that Jimmy began to take music seriously and took all chances to sing and play wherever he could. He had a job
as a rodeo rider which came to an abrupt end when he broke his arm in July 1953. Jimmy did his first recording in 1955, for the Sims label which was then based in Sun Valley, California, although the recordings were made in Fabor Robinson's home studio in Malibu. Three singles were
released during 1955, the first of which was "Careful" (a duet with Ann Jones) c/w "Guilty" (Sims 103). This was still old-fashioned hillbilly, sung in a high pitched voice, not unlike Charlie Feathers' Sun recordings.

Monday 13 July 2015

Ramblin' Lou Records !


Ramblin' Lou Schriver and his Twin Mountaineers .
Ramblin' Lou Records # 205A/205AA - 1951
Dust On The Bible / Radio Station S-A-V-E-D.




Here we have a great rare slice of Gospel country by Ramblin' Lou on his own label out of Niagra Falls, NY in 1951. 
Ramblin' Lou had quite a stint at WJJL in the Niagara Falls area. He had a daily three-hour shift as disc jockey; he had a live show called "Rainbow Ridge"; and a special Saturday night broadcast from Ramblin' Lou's Record Ranch, which was one of the leading country and western record stores in Niagara Falls.
He had a band around 1951 called the "Twin Pine Mountaineers". He and the band did personal appearances in Western New York and Pennsylvania and in Ontario, Canada, too. He also appeared on the WWVA Original Jamboree at one time, too.

Friday 3 July 2015

Chess Records !


Jack Ford 
Chess Record # 4858 - June 1954
I Understand / That's All You Gotta Do.


Hot diggity dog ! this is a nice lil' humdinger from Jack Ford. Been after this platter for quite a while, missed out on it a few times but finally managed to get it for an absolute steal .....£8.00 !!!! 
I just love Jacks easy going vocal on this rare slice of Chess Country .
Back in 1951, the Chess Brothers tried to set a Hillbilly Series that lead to 4 records by Harmonica Frank Floyd and by Bob Price, all sides being purchased from Sam Phillips. In 1954, they made a second serious attempt purchasing a number of masters from Stan Lewis. The series was numbered 4800 and Jack Ford opened the way with his first solo record "That's All You Gotta Do"/"I Understand (Just how you feel)" (Chess 4858) was issued in June 1954.


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Jimmy Lee & Johnny Mathis.
Chess Records # 4859 - Sept 1954
Side A - I'm Beginning To Remember
Side B - If You Don't Somebody Else Will

This the very next release after Jack Ford (see above) we get this BIG hit for Jimmy & Johnny'. The A side is the usual country weepie, high vocals and screeching fiddles! OK but nothing compares to the flip! now you ain't gonna get red hot Rockabilly but you do get dual harmony vocals on a steady chugging tune that sounds just perfect and then!!!! you get that pickin' solo by Jimmy Lee Fautheree and wow! there it is just on the edge of Rockabilly but not all the way! just letting you know that he has the chops when it will be needed in a few months time! This was a monster record for the pair but did not lead onto major success which is a real shame!





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Jimmy Lee & Wayne Walker
Chess Records # 4863 - April 1955
Side A - Lips That Kiss So Sweetly
Side B - Love Me

1955 KWKH Radio Station Studio, 509 Market St., Shreveport, LA - (Jimmy Lee Fautheree [vcl/gt], Wayne Walker [vcl/rh gt] + Sonny Trammel [stee], Tillman Franks [bass], D.J.Fontana [drums], Dobber Johnson [fiddle], Floyd Cramer [piano])

005 U-7768 LIPS THAT KISS SO SWEETLY 4863/

006 U-7769 LOVE ME 4863/




Quite frankly! if you want top notch Country Rockabilly then look no further than side Chess 78 masterpiece! The A Side 'Lips That Kiss So Sweetly' is superb! a real country mover & if it was not for the totally brilliant B side this would still be a 
desirable record! But it's the B side screamer that collectors need! Jimmy and Wayne are simply in a different ball park to all the others trying to climb aboard the rockabilly train with 'Love Me' and they skilfully weave their way through this toe tappin' masterclass in blistering boppery with consummate ease! dual vocals come no better than this! you cannot help but sing along! tap your toes and swing your hips to this one! it is right up there as the pinnacle in monster Rockabilly!