Don Ray with The "High Steppers" Meladee Records - M 118 - 1956 Step Aside (And Let A Good Man Pass) / Hand Full Of Memories RCA Custom Pressing.
Very little is known about Mr Don Ray and his "High Steppers" but what I can confirm about this Meladee record is .......that it is an absolute top drawer record and that 'Step Aside' is pretty much the kinda song that sticks in your head for days & days. It is not ferocious rockabilly or even quick high tempo hillbilly , it is melodic, tuneful, and damn right brilliant, wonderful voice and the guitar pickin' and steel work is sublime......if you find this on a 45 or 78 BUY IT !
Recorded late 1954 or early 1955, SUN Studio, Memphis Tennessee Carl Perkins (vcl/gtr); Jay Perkins (gtr); Clayton Perkins (bs); W S Holland (dms).
Carl makes a big splash with his first release on Flip records in early 1955. Movie Magg is a great song, it has both, bounce and energy but never gets to raucous or wild, it just stays in the pocket and it definitely kept the Memphis Country fans very happy, as it sold locally very very well, a terrific tune and Carl was heading towards the big time when he gets his chance on Sun Records just a few months later. Turn Around is just a beautiful song, and handled with care by Carl and the band.
Charlie Feathers Flip Record Inc. # 503 - March 1955. Peepin' Eyes / I've Been Deceived
Charlie Feathers (vcl/gtr); Quinton Claunch (gtr); Stan Kesler (steel gtr); Marcus Van Story / William Diehl (bs); Bill Cantrell (fiddle)
Sun records founder Sam Phillips launched Flip records in February, 1955. The label folded abruptly after threats of legal action were voiced by Ed Wells, owner of another Flip label in Los Angeles. Recording took place at Sun studio, 706 Union Avenue in Memphis. This rare as hens teeth 78 is a thing and sound of beauty , Nothing comes close to Charlies voice and every word is crammed to the brim with pure raw emotion ! Within months of the law suit from LA , Flip # 503 saw a release on the Sun label as Sun # 503 ( both the Charlie Flip and Sun records are highly prized by collectors) I have been after a copy on 78 for years and finally got my chance to own what I consider to be one of the greatest and important records of that era ......Flip #503 is nothing short of a masterpiece !
Tommy Little and Sunrise Rangers . Ollit Records # 2001 - Date 1950 ? Mean, Mean Woman / One Time Too Often.
Top shelf Country bop, superb Guitar, fiddle and Steel and pure hick vocal from Mr Little on this hillbilly bruiser right out of New York .......both sides are monsters ......this is what it's all about for me, rural, hick bop !!!!!
Lattie Moore and his Allen County Boys . Arrow Records # n/n - 1951. Married Trouble / Hide-Away Heart.
Here is Lattie Moore's 1st ever recording, this record was the holy grail for most collectors for over 50 years and I only know of two other copies apart from mine !!! so it's rare ....VERY RARE ! This is tip top hillbilly bop, superb Guitar solo and some solid bass playing . Recorded most likely at label owner Tate Bolands house in Indianapolis in 1951.
