Gibson Family Singers BRC Records ( Broadcast Record Club) # 1024 - 1955 Side A - Holy Jesus by Gibson Family Singers. Side B - Jesus, My Savior and Friend by W.A. Newsom. Here is some superb country gospel bop from the Gibson Family Singers on the BRC label out of Cleveland, Tennessee. Not sure of recording date but more than likely early to mid 50's . Not much is know on the group but they did have a 45 record out on their own 'Gibson' label in 1957 with a song called 'I'm Going To Heaven' . This is a split record with the B side by W.A. Newsom which is not the best song I have ever heard and sung in a very strange warble type style . But the A side is pure heavenly magic, superb vocals, brilliant steel and just the sweetest guitar pickin' you'll hear this side of the sun ( check out the second solo). The label is based in Cleveland, Tennessee on the aptly named Bible Street.
Gordon Jennings and String Quartet. Alba Records # 400 - 1955 Side A - Drivin' Home. Side B - Three Day Pass. Not too much info on ALBA or Gordon Jennings can be found on the big wide web , but this record from 1955 says plenty about Jennings and this fantastic slice of shellac. Great vocals and some lovely guitar pickin' is sometimes all you need to know .
Loy Clingman Liberty Bell # 9012 - 1957 It's Nothing To Me / I'm Low, Low, low.
Fantastic moody murder ballad by the clean cut Loy Clingman. Bar room brawl, drinking and murder all in just under 2 minute and 19 seconds .......fantastic production by Lee Hazelwood make this one special record.
Loy Clingman recorded at Viv (56-58), Liberty Bell (57); Ring (57), Swan (58) and Elko Records (62). He died in February 2011. Liberty Bell, P.O. Box 7176, Phoenix, AZ. Produced by Lee Hazlewood, lead guitar by Al Casey.
Doug Tubb . Mart Record Company # 1003 - 1954 The World Is A Monster / Deaf, Dumb And Blind .
Before recording for Decca and Dot and changing his name to Glenn Douglas, Doug Tubb recorded this monster for 'Mart' in late 1954 and wow what a tune. Written by Doug and Roy Duke this is killer country music, not a mover i'll give you that .....but changing from minor to major chords this lil' devil rolls and bops for sure and when Doug states "For the world is a monster and it's food is mans heart" you better believe it buddy ......I just love this 78, not in the greatest condition but it's a monster all the same ! Born Douglas Tubb (Son of Ernest Tubb), June 29, 1935 in San Antonio (Texas). Glenn Douglas is still active as Country singer
Bert Bryson and his Musical Boys Bethlehem Records # 1294 - 1954 One Sided Heart / I Was Burned In Carolina. This very early release by the newly formed 'Bethlehem' record companyshowed just a little pomise. After failing with their early pop crooners they opted for the Country sound with this nice little yodel hillbilly tune right out of New York. Bethlehem was formed in 1953 in New York City by Gus Wildi. Wildi, a Swiss immigrant, had been in the country for about two years and wanted to create something According to the announcement concerning Bethlehem's establishment, found in Billboard on February 27, 1954 (p26), Bethlehem Records was initially structured with Gus Wildi as President of the label, with Murray Singer the General Manager & National Sales Manager, Jim Bright as the A&R (Artists & Repertoire) Manager, and Elaine Bergman handling promotion. In June and early July, 1954, Bethlehem released "One Sided Heart"/"I Was Burned in Carolina" by Bert Bryson [Bethlehem B1294], "Honky Tonk"/"Moderner Liebestraum" by Jim Bright [Bethlehem B1295], "Don't Steal My Heart"/"Hip Shaking Mama" by Beulah Swan [Bethlehem B1296], and "Broken Hearted Waltz"/"Echoing Mailbox" by the Simmons Twins [Bethlehem B1297]. So by the end of July, 1954, Bethlehem had released seven singles with Sy Oliver as musical director. As is not uncommon with new labels, sales of these singles were, to put it bluntly, dismal. The funds that had been set aside to start the company were running out.
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 !
Flip were trying to cover all the angles in popular music and this cross over Blues R'n'R record does that with ease. Yes, it's a novelty tune, but it really does bob along nice and the flip on Flip is even better, Rock 'n' Roll jump with the very White looking Smokey Joe sounding every note like a Black singer (no wonder they were surprised in Harlem when he got booked for shows in 1956)
Sam Phillips at Sun again got the same tunes released on the legendary Memphis label on both 45 and 78 rpm.
Flip & Rosco had a local hit with this little tune so Sam Phillips at Sun quickly rushed it out on the legendary Memphis label (this was the last Flip/Sun duel release)
Rosco made his fame in Memphis with "The Chicken" song and he deserved it, it's a tip top novelty blues mover and has all the charm to back it up, splendid little slice of Blues shellac.
