Hey Cat !

Hey Cat !

Monday 20 March 2017

Dot Records !


Big Jeff Bess and the Radio Playboys.
Dot Records # 1058 - 1951
Side A - Step It Up And Go.
Side B - After We Are Through.

Big Jeff Bess - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
Ed Hyde - Fiddle
Johnny Sibert - Steel Guitar.
George McCormick - Lead Guitar.
Ike Inman - Upright Bass.
Johnny Maddox - Piano.


Big Jeff was a Nashville legend, even back when this was recorded Jeff was a hero to many in town. Bar owner, film star, this guy done it all, he even married Tootsie and they opened a bar in Nashville which is still open today.
This 78 was the second release by the band on the label and my god what a rip roaring tune it is, pounding piano and some sweet boogie guitar by George McCormick.....this is as close to the start of Rock 'N' Roll as you can get, this is a record of mega magnitude in the world of country music ......SUPERB HILLBILLY BOOGIE !!!!



Friday 3 March 2017

J-B Records !


"Country" Johnny Mathis .
J-B Records # 1500 - 1952 
Side A - Contented
Side B - Me For You And You For Me.



This is Johnny Mathis (Not to be confused with the other more famous Johnny Mathis crooner from the 60's and 70's) and is better known as "Country" Johnny Mathis . This is his second ever release and both songs were written by Mr Mathis himself. 
He also became part of the legendary duo 'Jimmy & Johnny' and they cut some brilliant rockabilly in the mid to late 50's.
Here we have a typical country weepie A side and is just OK really and not really gonna set the world on fire but the flip is a real nice slow to mid tempo hillbilly tune and in my opinion the better of the two, nice song with some nice steel and Johnny's voice is smooth as ever.
Jim Bulleit the label owner went onto finance and help Sam Phillips set up Sun Records in Memphis in 1953 .