Side A
1. Jonah Jones: The Man With The Golden Arm – 1957
2. The Monkees: Sweet Young Thing – 1966
3. The Searchers: Sweets For My Sweet – 1963
4. The Flaming Groovies: Absolutely Sweet Marie – 1979
5. Hank Thompson: The Older The Violin, The Sweeter The Music – 1973
6. Christopher Kearney: Sweetwater – 1974 *
7. Chris Barber Special: Sweet Savannah Sue – 1955
8. Brenda Lee: Sweet Nothin’s – 1959
9. The Rhythm Sweethearts: Running Wild – 1965 *
10. Terry Parker: Cowboy Sweetheart – 1961 *
11. The Cowboy Junkies: Sweet Jane – 1988 *
12. Sylvia Tyson: Sweet Survivor – 1978 *
13. Oscar Peterson: I’ve Got It Band And That Ain’t Good – 1976 *
14. Willie Thrasher: Sweet Grass Song – 1981 *
15. Bahamas: Your Sweet Touch – 2012
16. John Prine: Sweet Revenge – 1973
17. Humber River Valley Boys: My Sweet Blue Eyed Darlin’ – 1980 *
18. Dillard & Clark: Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms – 1960
19. Ward Allen: Maple Sugar – 1957 *
20. Tony Sheridan & The Beatles: Sweet Georgia Brown – 1962
Side B
1. Rod Linnell w Don Messer’s Islanders: Maple Sugar Sweetheart – 1972 *
2. Bunny Hobbs: Goodnight Sweetheart - 1960 *
3. The Beatles: Ain’t She Sweet – 1962
4. John Allison: Tangerine – 1977 *
5. Cream: Sweet Wine – 1966
6. Chalk Circle: My Artificial Sweetener – 1987 *
7. Scott Merritt: Sweet Accident – 1989 *
8. Dixitech Seven: Mountain Railroad – 1974 *
9. Marty Robbins: Sweet Leilani – 1957
10. Dutch Mason Trio: Sweet Little Angel – 1968 *
11. Jr. Walker & The All-Stars: How Sweet It Is – 1966
12. Don Messer & His Islanders: Sugar Tree Stomp – 1971 *
13. Alice Cooper: Sing Low, Sweet Cheerio – 1968
14. If: Sweet January – 1972
15. Buck Clayton: Blue Goose Special – 1963 *
16. The Polish Canadians: My Canadian Sweetheart – 1969 *
CanCon = 53%
And Now for The Particulars:Side A
1. Jonah Jones: The Man With The Golden Arm
(Elmer Bernstein / Sylvia Fine)
Muted Jazz: Capitol Records – T 839
Louisville KY
Jona Jones: trumpet
George Rhodes: piano
John Browne: bass
Harold Austin: drums
Produced 1957
born Robert Elliott Jones; December 31, 1909 – April 29, 2000
Jones began his career playing on a river boat named Island Queen, which traveled between Kentucky and Ohio. Before starting his own band in the ‘50s, he spent a decade performing with Cab Calloway’s bands.
2. The Monkees: Sweet Young Thing
(Michael Nesmith / Carol King / Gerry Goffin)
The Monkees: Colgems / RCA – COM-101
Los Angeles CA
Lead vocal: Michael Nesmith
Backing vocals: Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, and John London
Guitars: Peter Tork, James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, Michael Deasy
Bass: Bob West
Dano bass: Peter Tork, James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, Mike Deasey
Drums: Hal Blaine, Frank DeVito, Jim Gordon
Violin: Jimmy Bryant
Percussion: Gary Coleman
Piano: Larry Knechtel
Produced by Michael Nesmith, 1966
Recorded at RCA Victor Studios, Hollywood, California; July 18, 1966 (8:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.)
This is from the first Monkees album which was mostly produced by songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Mike Nesmith was allowed to produce two of the songs on the record, Sweet Young Thing and Papa Jean’s Blues. The Canadian release claims on the back cover that you can “Watch for THE MONKEES in color every Sunday night on the CTV network, 7:00 p.m. (EDT).”
I purchased my copy from Holcan Records in Cooksville, ON (now Mississauga) on Saturday, October 22, 1966.
3. The Searchers: Sweets For My Sweet
(Pomus / Schuman)
The Searchers Vol 2: Pye Records 0598
Liverpool
Tony Jackson: lead vocals, bass
John McNally: rhythm guitar, vocals
Mike Pender: lead guitar, lead vocals
Chris Curtis: drums, lead vocals
Produced by Tony Hatch, 1963
After the success of Sugar & Spice, The Searchers’ first big hit in America, they tried Sweets For My Sweet as a single but it didn’t chart. The Searchers were being produced by Petula Clark’s husband, Tony Hatch for the Pye Records label. Instead, Needles and Pins did the job and a succession of hits came pouring in from Liverpool over the next couple of years.
4. The Flaming Groovies: Absolutely Sweet Marie
(Bob Dylan)
Jumpin' In The Night: Sire Reecords SRK 6067
San Francisco CA
Cyril Jordan: guitar, vocal
Chris Wilson: guitar, vocal
Mike Wilhelm: guitar
George Alexander: bass
David Wright: drums
Produced by Cyril Jordan and Roger Bechirian, 1979
Recorded by Roger Bechirian at Eden Studios, Advision Studios, London UK
Roy Loney b. 1946 / d. Dec 13, 2019 San Francisco (73)
The band started in San Francisco in 1965, led by Roy Loney and Cyril Jordan. Loney left the band in 1971 to pursue other interests. He was born on a Friday the 13th and he died on a Friday the 13th. He was being operated on when he died.
5. Hank Thompson: The Older The Violin, The Sweeter The Music
(C Putman)
45 single bw A Six Pack To Go: Dot Records DOA 17490
Waco Texas
Hank Thompson: vocal
Others not listed
Produced by Larry Butler, 1973
Henry William Thompson born on Sept 3, 1925 in Waco, TX / d. Nov 6, 2007, Keller, TX
This guy was a true troubadour of the golden west. Giving up his studies to become a full time musician after being discharged from the US Navy after serving in WW2, he struck it rich with a seven decades long career. Although he never became as famous as Ernest Tubb or Bob Wills, Thompson was the real thing.
1952 brought his first number-one single, "The Wild Side of Life", which contained the memorable line, "I didn't know God made honky-tonk angels". This line inspired songwriter J. D. "Jay" Miller to write the 1952 answer song "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", which became the first hit single for pioneer country vocalist Kitty Wells.
Thompson was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989, and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997. He continued touring throughout the U.S. until shortly before he became ill. His last public performance was on October 8, 2007, in Waco, Texas, his birthplace. All of his original master recordings were destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire.
6. Christopher Kearney: Sweetwater
(Bob Yeomans)
Sweetwater: EMI Capitol ST 6424
Toronto
Christopher Kearney: vocals, guitars
Bob Yeomans: guitars
Gene Falbo: bass
Jon Goldsmith: bg vocals, keys
Al Brisco: pedal Steel
Dido: congas
Ben Mink: violin
Produced by Gene Martynec and Lee De Carlo, 1974
Christopher Kearney b. Toronto 1947
Speaking of Texas, there is a place called Sweetwater just west of Abilene, prettiest town that I ever seen.
Kearney became serious about music in the mid-60's after relocating to the US West coast where he met Gordon Lightfoot who put up the money for his first demo recordings. In the early 80s Kearney joined CHINA with fellow Canadians Bill King and Danny McBride for one album on CBS Records. Currently living in San Diego
Songwriter Bob Yeomans was originally from Sault Ste. Marie ON, came to Toronto in the ‘60s and joined The Amen. Later he was part of Jackson Hawke who put out a couple of albums in the 1970s.
7. Chris Barber’s Jazz Band: Sweet Savannah Sue
(Fats Waller)
Chris Barber Special: Nika Jazz Today Series: NJE 1007
London UK
Chris Barber: trombone
Pat Halcox: trumpet
Monty Sunshine: clarinet
Lonnie Donegan: banjo
Ron Bowden: drums
Mickey Ashman: bass
Produced by Denis Preston, 1955
Recorded by Eric Tomlinson
Donald Christopher Barber b. 17 April 1930 Welwyn Garden City UK / d. 2 March 2021 (90)
Barber was an English jazz musician who scored a UK top twenty trad jazz hit with "Petite Fleur" in 1959 and helped begin the careers of many musicians. One of them was banjo player Lonnie Donegan, whose appearances with Barber triggered the skiffle craze of the mid-1950s with his first transatlantic hit, "Rock Island Line", that he recorded while still performing with Chris Barber's band. Alexis Korner came out of his band, and Barber sponsored African-American blues musicians to visit Britain, which makes him a significant figure in launching the British rhythm and blues and "beat boom" scenes that would eventually erupt as the British Invasion. He also briefly played with Ken Colyer’s band.
8. Brenda Lee: Sweet Nothin’s
(Ronnie Self)
10 Golden Years: Decca DL 74757
Atlanta GA
Brenda Lee: vocals
Album Produced - 1966
Song Produced – 1959
Brenda Mae Tarpley b. December 11, 1944 (76) Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Her break into big-time show business came in February 1955, when she turned down $30 to appear on a Swainsboro radio station in order to see Red Foley perform. An local DJ persuaded Foley to hear her sing before the show and he said:
“I still get cold chills thinking about the first time I heard that voice. One foot started patting rhythm as though she was stomping out a prairie fire but not another muscle in that little body even as much as twitched. And when she did that trick of breaking her voice, it jarred me out of my trance enough to realize I'd forgotten to get off the stage. There I stood, after 26 years of supposedly learning how to conduct myself in front of an audience, with my mouth open two miles wide and a glassy stare in my eyes.”
9. The Rhythm Sweethearts: Running Wild
(Fust)
The Rhythm Sweethearts: Arc Records A661
Moncton, NB / Digby, NS / Marmora, ON / Pembroke, ON
Lorrie Gale: rhythm guitar, vocals
Patricia Hennessey: drums
Myrtle Gifford: bass
Bassie Brunette: lead guitar
Produced by Ben Weatherby, 1965
Myrtle Gifford spent 25 years of her life as a professional bass player, at one time leading an all girl country and western band known as The Rhythm Sweethearts, travelling all across Canada, several US states and as far away as Thule, Greenland. She also toured several times with the Wilf Carter Show and worked with the stars such as Hank Snow, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper. This was their only album.
10. Miss Terry Parker: Cowboy Sweetheart
(Patsy Montana)
Canada's Yodelling Sweetheart: Banff - RBS 1093
North Bay, ON
Producer Not Llisted 1961
Terry Parker “Canada’s Yodeling Sweetheart”
Theresa Pacaud b. July 21, 1933 – Val Gagne, Ontario / Resides in Montreal
After working the Northern Bar Circuit, Terry made her way to the Toronto club scene where she was ‘discovered’ by Cliff McKay, who invited her onto his CBC-TV program Holiday Ranch. Beginning January 25, 1955, Terry was hired to become one of the regular guests on the show. Because of that she became a much in-demand artist, guesting on The Crang Plaza Jamboree (Downsview), The Circle B Jamboree, The Main Street Jamboree (Hamilton), The CKNX Saturday Night Barn Dance (Wingham), The Circle 8 Ranch Hour, The Hometown Jamboree, and The OK Jamboree out of Cornwall. A guest appearance on the Don Messer Jubilee TV show also brought Terry in front of a national audience. Now long retired, she just celebrated her 86th birthday in Montreal where she lives married Rene Lalonde, a highly decorated Canadian Judo Champion.
11. The Cowboy Junkies: Sweet Jane
(Lou Reed)
The Trinity Sessions: RCA Victor 8568
Toronto ON
Margo Timmins: vocal
Michael Timmins: guitar
Peter Timmins: drums
John Timmins: guitar
Alan Anton: bass
Kim Deschamps: steel, dobro, slide
Jaro Czerwinec: accordion
Produced by Peter E Moore, 1988
Recorded by Peter Moose at Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto, November 27, 1987
Margo Timmins b. January 27, 1961 Montreal QC
I was thinking: should I play this version of Lou Reed’s, but Lou’s is a lot longer so for obligatory time constraints imposed on us by clockheads, I chose the Junkies. And why not!
12. Sylvia Tyson: Sweet Survivor
(Sylvia Tyson)
Satin On Stone: Salt Records SR 101
Toronto
Sylvia Tyson: vocals
Doug Riley: keys
Kim Brandt: bass
Bob McClaren: drums
David Wilcox: lead guitar
Danny (Daniel) Lanois: rhythm guitar
Carla Jenson, Judy Donnelly, Sharon Learning: bg vocals
Produced by Don Potter, 1978
Recorded by Bob Lanois at Grant Avenue Studios, Hamilton
Mixed by Bob Lanois and Don Potter
Mastered at JAMF, Toronto
Sylvia Fricker Tyson b. 19 September 1940 (81) Chatham, ON
Originally teamed up with then husband, Ian Tyson as the folk duo, ‘Ian & Sylvia’, they were quickly assimilated as folk music royalty, managed by Bob Dylan’s manager, Albert Grossman, they were lumped with Peter, Paul and Mary, Buffy St. Marie and Joan Baez. After splitting with Ian during their phase as Great Speckled Bird, she had a successful solo career, recording several hit records.
In the early 90’s she performed in Quartette with Cindy Church, Caitlin Hanford and Gwen Swick.
Sylvia Tyson was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1994.
She was nominated seven times for a Juno Award, the first being in 1987 as Country Female Vocalist of the Year.
13. Oscar Peterson: I’ve Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good
(Ellington / Webster)
In Russia: Pablo Records 2625-711
Montreal / Mississauga
Oscar Peterson: piano
Produced by Norman Granzinsky, 1976
Recorded Tallinn, Estonia, Nov 17, 1974
Interestingly, it’s called “In Russia” but the actual performance of this double album took place in Tallinn, Estonia! But it was all considered a communist block of countries under the USSR. Estonia, like Latvia and Lithuania, were totally controlled back then by the Kremlin. This album documents a milestone for “western” jazz in the Soviet bloc. Side one was Oscar alone while the other sides of the album include some backup players. The response is audible.
14. Willie Thrasher: Sweet Grass Song
(W Thrasher)
Sweet Grass Music: No Label ST-7004
Aklavik, Northwest Territories
Willie Thrasher: guitar, vocal
Willy Mitchell: drum
Produced by Sweet Grass Music, 1981
Recorded by CBC Northern Services in Val d’Or, Quebec
Willie Thrasher b. Aklavik, Northwest Territories 1948
A fan of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, Thrasher learned to play drums and formed a band called the Cordells with his brother and a couple of friends. They toured northern Canada in the late 1960s and early 1970s, playing schools and community halls. Based out of Inuvik, they were considered the town's first rock and roll band, and played mostly contemporary songs and covers. After a show in the mid-1970s, Thrasher was approached by an elderly man and challenged as to why he didn't play music that reflected his Inuit heritage. From that point onward, Thrasher moved into more personal songwriting, learning guitar and began studying Inuit music.
The cool thing about The Sweet Grass song was that it was written the night before it was recorded! Thrasher has been a role model for countless young indigenous singer/songwriters.
15. Bahamas: Your Sweet Touch
(Afie Jurvanen)
Barchords: Brushfire Records B0016334-01
Toronto ON
Afie Jurvanen: guitar, vocal
Jason Tait: drums
Darcy Yates: Fender bass
Produced by Robbie Lacritz, 2012
Recorded by Robbie Lacritz
Mastered by Phillip Shaw Bova, Ottawa
Afie Jurvanen (born April 28, 1981, Toronto)
Barchords was the second album by the man who goes by the name Bahamas, released on February 7, 2012. The album received nomination at the 2013 Juno Awards for the Adult Alternative Album of the Year. He eventually went on to win that award with the release of his fifth studio album, Sad Hunk at the 2021 Juno Awards last Spring. Sweet revenge!
16. John Prine: Sweet Revenge
(J Prine)
Sweet Revenge: A&M Records - SD 7274
Maywood, Illinois
Reggie Young: elec guitar
Grady Martin: dobro
Jerry Shook: harmonica
David Briggs: organ
Mike Leach: bass
Kenny Malone: drums
Produced by Arif Mardin, 1973
Recorded by Steve Ham at Quadrafonic Sound Studios, Nashville
John Prine b. October 10, 1946 Maywood, Illinois / d. April 7, 2020 (aged 73) Nashville, TN
From Prine’s third album in three years, still amazing everybody.
17. The Humber River Valley Boys: My Sweet Blue Eyed Darlin
(Bill Monroe)
They Said It Shouldnt Be Done!: Boot Records BBG 610
Toronto ON
Randy Hill: mandolin, dobro, vocals
Larry Smith: guitar, vocals
Eric Jackson: bass, vocals
Brian Pickell: banjo, vocals
Don Thurston: fiddle, vocals
Produced by Denis LePage, 1980
Recorded at Evolution 2000, Bramalea ON
18. Dillard & Clark: Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms
(Charlie Monroe)
Through The Morning Through The Night: A&M Records SP 4203
Los Angeles CA
Doug Dillard: vocal, banjo, guitar, fiddle
Gene Clark: vocal, guitar, harp
Donna Washburn: guitar, tambourine, vocal
Byron Berline: fiddle
Jon Corneal: drums
David Jackson: bass, piano, cello, bg vocal
Sneaky Pete: steel
Chris Hillman: mandolin
Bernie Leadon: guitar, bass
Produced by Larry Marks, 1969
Recorded by Dick Bogert and Ray Gerhardt
Harold Eugene "Gene" Clark (b. Tipton Missouri, November 17, 1944 d. Sherman Oaks CA May 24, 1991)
Founded The Byrds with Roger McGuinn
Douglas Dillard (born March 6, 1937, Salem, Missouri - May 16, 2012)
Started playing with The Dillards 1963. Shared members with the Flying Burrito Brothers: Chris Hillman, Sneaky Pete Kleinow & Bernie Leadon
19. Ward Allen: Maple Sugar
(Ward Allen)
Maple Leaf Hoedown: Sparton Records SP 203
Ottawa ON
Ward Allen: violin
Others not listed
Produced 1957
Warden Ambrose Allen b Kirkton ON 11 May 1924 / d Hull QC 3 Aug 1965 (41)
One of Canada’s biggest fiddle stars of the 1950s and early 60s. A much emulated player due to his use of double stopping – playing two strings at the same time – giving a much fuller sound which influenced a young Graham Townsend.
20. Tony Sheridan & The Beatles: Sweet Georgia Brown
(Ben Bernie / Maceo Pinkard / Kenneth Casey)
Ain't She Sweet: Atco Records - 33-169
Liverpool UK
Tony Sheridan: vocal
John Lennon - rhythm guitar
George Harrison - lead guitar
Paul McCartney – bass
Roy Young – piano
Ringo Starr? - drums
Produced by Bert Kaempfert, 1962
Recorded at the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle, Hamburg, Germany - 24 May 1962
The Beatles had recorded a number of songs with Tony Sheridan in Hamburg on 22-24 June 1961. Nearly a year later they taped two more songs with the singer. The session came about due to a contract The Beatles had signed with Bert Kaempfert, who had produced the 1961 recordings. When Brian Epstein began managing the group and started looking for a record deal, he discovered that they were still technically under contract with Kaempfert.
Epstein and Kaempfert agreed that The Beatles would be released from their obligation if they recorded one more session with Sheridan when they next returned to Hamburg. It took place on this day at the city's Studio Rahlstedt, situated at Gebäude M1, Rahlau 128, Hamburg-Tonndorf.
The songs were Swanee River and Sweet Georgia Brown, the latter arranged by Paul McCartney. Performing with The Beatles was pianist Roy Young, who had been informally accompanying with the group at the Star-Club. Tony Sheridan, however, didn't make it to the session. He overdubbed his vocals onto Sweet Georgia Brown on 7 June 1962, and it was released on a German EP, Ya Ya, later that year. Sheridan re-recorded the vocals on 3 January 1964, prior to The Beatles' arrival in America. He included mention of The Beatles’ hair in this version.
"in Liverpool she even dares to criticise the Beatles' hair with their whole fan-club standing there oh Sweet Georgia Brown."
Side B
1. Rod Linnell with Don Messer & His Islanders: Maple Sugar Sweetheart
(W Allen / R Linnell)
The Saga of Canadian Country & Folk Music: Rodeo Records SRLP-2-7121 – 1972
Halifax NS
Rod Linnell: vocals
Don Messer & His Islanders
Sean Eyre: commentator
Double Compilation Album Produced by George I. Taylor, 1972
This is an amazing collection of artists that was put out (without the artists knowing) as a promotional album, not to be sold in stores. I bought mine in a store, first hand. It features Ward Allen, Mac Beattie, Keray Rregan, Omar Blondahl, Hal Lone Pine, Wilf Doyle, Winston Fitzgerald, Juliette, Graham Townsend and The Hachey Brothers, to name a few. All with a commentary by Sunshine Sean Eyre, a DJ from CHEX Radio in Peterborough ON.
2. Bunny Hobbs: Goodnight Sweetheart
(J Campbell / Reg Connoly)
Canada's Sweetheart - Bunny Hobbs: Rodeo International - RLP 96
Halifax, NS
Baz Russell & His Orchestra
Produced by George Taylor, 1959
Lorraine Hobbs b. Halifax April 22, 1925 / d. Friday, March 11, 2005 Lower Sackville NS
3. The Beatles: Ain't She Sweet
(Jack Yellin / Milton Ager)
Ain't She Sweet: Atco Records - 33-169
Liverpool UK
John Lennon: lead vocal, rhythm guitar
George Harrison: lead guitar
Paul McCartney: bass
Probably Ringo: drums
Produced by Bert Kaempfert, 1961
Recorded at the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle, Hamburg, Germany - June 22, 1961
The Beatles needed a drummer, fast, to get gigs in Germany as a rock band, so they took Pete Best along. When they were asked to accommodate Tony Sheridan in a recording session as his backup band, producer Bert Kaempfert quickly realize that Best couldn’t keep time – he was all over the place. Ringo was playing in Germany at the time with Rory Storm and was asked to sit in, the first time he ever played with The Beatles and they loved it. It was a dream for them to play with such an accomplished drummer.
Pete Best claims that he was fired by The Beatles for other reasons, but check this out: he was rejected (as a drummer) by the Decca producer who rejected them and by George Martin at EMI and that was why Ringo was eventually hired as their real drummer.
4. John Allison: Tangerine
(Mercer)
Play A Simple Melody: CBC Records LM-444
Toronto ON
John Allison: trumpet
Arnie Chycoski, Darryl Eaton, Bram Smith, Rob McConnell, John Capon, Bob Livingston: brass
Eugene Amaro, Bernie Piltch: reeds
Bruce Fraquhar: drums
Tom Szczesniak: bass
Bobby Edwards: guitar
Charlie Mountford: keys
Brian Leonard: percussion
Bill Richards: concert master
Produced by Paul Mills, 1977
Recorded by Larry Morey
John B Allison b. Toronto
He has performed over the years with great artists such as Tony Bennett, Tom Jones, Peggy Lee, Engelbert Humperdinck to name but a few. Written music for Anne Murray, Wayne Newton and The Boss Brass. John Allison is an accomplished composer and arranger in styles ranging from pop to movie soundtracks and rock and roll.
5. Cream: Sweet Wine
(Ginger Baker / Janet Godfrey)
Fresh Cream: Polydor CP 594 001
London UK
Ginger Baker, drums
Jack Bruce, bass
Eric Clapton, guitar
Produced by Robert Stigwood, 1966
Recorded at Rayrik Studios and Ryemuse Studios, London by John Timperley
Released December 9, 1966
6. Chalk Circle: My Artificial Sweetener
(Chalk Circle)
Mending Wall: Duke Street Records DSR 31035
Newcastle ON
Tad Winklarz: keys, sax, melodica
Chris Tait: guitars, vocals
Derrick Murphy: drums
Brad Hopkins: bass
Hugh Marsh: violin
Brian Leonard: percussion
Tim Hope: bongos
Rebecca Jenkins: bg vocal
Produced by Chris Wardman, 1987
Recorded at Manta Sound, Toronto, by Ron Searles
Formed in Newcastle, Ontario, they were originally known in 1982 as ‘The Casualties’. Briefly changed their name to ‘The Reactors’, most likely because the live close by the Darlington Nuclear plant. Then they became ‘New Addition’ till 1984 when they changed names one last time to Chalk Circle.
7. Scott Merritt: Sweet Accident
(Scott Merritt)
Violet and Black: Duke St. Records DSR 31057
Brantford ON
Scott Merritt: Guitars, banjos, sitar, vocals
Bob DiSalle: drums
David Woodhead: bass
Doug Wilde: keys
Matt Zimbel: percussion
Willie P Bennett: harmonica
Robert Arthur Williams: percussion
Arthur Barrow: keys, bass, percussion
Greg Roberts: keys
Doug Baynham: bg vocals
Rob Gusevs: hammond, Heys
Brian Leonard: percussion
Mike Sloski: percussion
Produced by Arthur Barrow, 1989
Recorded at Manta Sound Toronto by Ron Searles with Brad Haebnel and Trax Recording, Hollywood & Santa Monica CA by Eric Westfail
Mastered at Precision Lacquer by Stephen Marcussen
Scott put out four vinyl albums that were highly acclaimed but sold sporadically. He loves the use of sonics learned from hanging around Grant Avenue Studios in Hamilton and learning the production arts from Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. He set up own studio in Brantford where he’s done work with Garnet Rogers, Fearing & White, Kevin Breit, Tannis Slimmon, Ian Tamblyn and Fred Eaglesmith, to name just a few.
8. Dixitech Seven: Mountain Railroad
(Trad)
Finally: The Great Eastern Production Co. – SR 7
Halifax / Dartmouth NS
Wint Sparling: trumpet
John Dodge: clarinet
Al Creelman: trombone
Nelson Ferguson: banjo
Tom Vickery: piano
Ron Gilkie: bass
Walter Scott: drums
Produced circa 1974
Recorded by Alan Feeney at Audio Atlantic, Halifax
Formed by members of the faculty of Nova Scotia Tech College who liked Dixieland jazz.
9. Marty Robbins: Sweet Leilani
(H Owens)
Song Of The Islands: Columbia – CL 1087
Glendale, Arizona
Produced 1957
Martin David Robinson b. Sept 26, 1925 Glendale, AZ / d. December 8, 1982 (57) Nashville
During WW2, he was stationed in Hawaii and learned many songs. He claims that his career really started there. ‘Songs of the Islands’ was Robbins 3rd album and he captures the mood.
10. Dutch Mason Trio: Sweet Little Angel
(Riley BB King / J Taub)
At The Candlelight: Paragon Records ALS 263
Lunenburg NS
Dutch Mason: piano, guitar, vocals
Ronnie Miller: bass
Ken Clattenburg: drums
Bucky Adams: tenor sax
Joe Sealy: organ
Produced by Bill Fisher, 1971
Recorded by Jack Hutchinson
Mixed by Bill Bessey
Cover: Jarvis Darville
Norman Byron Mason b. Lunenburg, NNS 19 Feb 1938 / d. Truro NS 23 Dec 2006 (66)Interestingly, they (record company) billed this band as a trio although there were 5 players! Typical for Paragon Records. Sounds like it was mixed on the fly. Nevertheless, it was by Canada's only ever Prime Minister of the Blues.
11. Jr. Walker & The Allstars: How Sweet It Is
(L Dozier / B Holland / E Holland Jr)
Road Runner: Tamla / Motown SL 703
Blytheville AK
James Graves drums
Vic Thomas keyboards
Junior Walker saxophone, vocals
Willie Woods guitar
James Jamerson - bass
Produced by Johnny Bristol, Henry Cosby, Lamont Dozier, Harvey Fuqua, Berry Gordy, Jr., Brian Holland, Lawrence Horn, Mickey Stevenson, 1966
Mastered by Ellen Fitton
Autry DeWalt Mixon Jr. b. June 14, 1931 / d. November 23, 1995, Battle Creek Mich (64)
12. Don Don Messer & His Islanders: Sugar Tree Stomp
(Graham Townsend)
40 Years with Don Messer And His Islanders: MCA Records 17018
Tweedside NB / Halifax NS
Don Messer: violin
The Islanders
Producer Unknown, circa 1971
13. Alice Cooper: Sing Low, Sweet Cheerio
(Alice Cooper)
Pretties For You: Straight Records – STS 1051
Detroit MI
Alice Cooper, vocals, harmonica
Neal Smith: drums
Dennis Dunaway: bass
Glen Buxton: lead guitar
Mike Bruce: rhythm guitar, keys
Produced by Ian Underwood and Herb Cohen, 1969
Recorded by Dick Kunc 1968
This album was recorded at Frank Zappa’s home studio for his own Straight Records label in a couple of days. The band actually thought that they were running through the songs to get ready to record, but Frank kicked them out of the studio and said that what they did was a take. They left a little stunned. The front cover of the album was a painting by Edward Beardsley of a young woman pulling up her skirt, offering herself to an old man who is holding a beer mug and was sold with a sticker over her underpants. The actual painting hung in Zappa’s living room for years but mysteriously went missing.
14. If: Sweet January
(Dave Quincy / T Preston)
IF3: Capitol Records - SMAS 820
UK
John Mealing: keys
Terry Smith: guitar
Jim Richardson: bass
Dennis Elliot: drums
Dick morrissey: sax, flute
JW Hodkinson: vocals
Dave Quincey: sax, flute
Produced by Jon Child and IF, 1971
Recorded by Frank Owen at Island Studios, London
If was a progressive rock band formed in Britain in 1969. They were signed by Chris Blackwell to Island Records in the UK and to Capitol Records in the US and considered heavyweight contenders, blending jazz fusion with progressive rock. Over the years to come they employed some pretty good musicians – 21 of them – but I’m only aware of one or two!
15. Buck Clayton & Count Basie All-Stars: Blue Goose Special
(Jack Hutton)
Buck Clayton's Canadian Caper: Vibra Records D5-MM-63/2
Los Angeles CA
Buck Clayton: trumpet
Earle Warren: sax
Jackie Williams: drums
Sir Charles Thompson: piano
Tommy Potter: bass
Produced by Fred Edge, Mike Cassidy and Ewd Ingraham, 1963
Recorded by Bill Dowding live at the Colonial Tavern, Toronto, July 1963
Wilbur Dorsey "Buck" Clayton (November 12, 1911 - December 8, 1991)
Trumpeter Buck Clayton played briefly in Basie's band before going to Shanghai in the 1930s to play jazz. The Chinese influence on his music never left him! He came back to the States at the beginning of the Sino-Japanese war (1937) and worked as an arranger for numerous jazz outfits. He then toured Europe with Mezz Mezzrow. In the 1950s he recorded the bulk of his output before somehow bringing his band to Toronto where they were recorded this "Canadian themed" album live at the Colonial Tavern in Toronto. Songs included Squid Jiggin' Ground, Alouette, North Atlantic Squadron, Canadian Sunset, Tousand Islands Song, Saskatchewan and Canadian Capers.
The Colonial Tavern on Yonge St. in Toronto had an amazing history. Artists from Gene Krupa to Jeff Healey, Thelonius Monk to BB King, Earl Hines to Oscar Peterson, Big Mama Thornton to Bo Diddley and literally hundreds of others performed there. It operated as a jazz and blues venue from the 1950s through the 70s when it was ripped down. A vacant lot is all that's left.
16. The Polish Canadians: My Canadian Sweetheart or Oj Marysla
(Jagiello / Guka)
Polkas & Waltzes - For Your Entertainment: Polka Tone Records 5001
Toronto
Ed Guca: accordion, clarinet, sax
No Info on musicians
Produced in 1969
Ed Guca b. Toronto August 7, 1944
Ed Guca formed his first band, The Polka Aces, in high school. He also took up clarinet and sax. After graduating from University, he took his band to Chicago where the famous Li’l Wally suggested a new name for the band: Ed Guca and the Polish Canadians. They traveled throughout Ontario, into the USA and Europe. He hosted a radio show called "The All Night Friday Night Polka Party" as a DJ on CHIN-FM here in Toronto. Ed Guca is still performing and is currently in charge of the entertainment committee for the Roncesvalles Village Polish Festival in Toronto, promoting polka music to over 100,000 people each year.
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