Side One
1. Louis Armstrong & His Hot 7: Dallas Blues – 1929
2. Blind Blake: Dry Bone Shuffle – 1927
3. Robert Johnson: Me And The Devil Blues – 1937
4. Big Amos: You’re Too Young - 1970
5. Frank Frost: The Cotton Needs Pickin’ – 1986
6. Boogaloo And His Gallant Crew: Cops and Robbers – 1958
7. Ahmad Jamal: Billy Boy – 1958
8. Albert Collins: Blue Monday Hangover – 1980
9. Jr. Wells and His Allstars: Hey Lawdy Mama – 1962
10. Buddy Guy: You’ve Been Gone Too Long – 1981
11. Ritchie Havens: Long Train Running – 1976
12. Charles Mingus: Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting – 1960
13. Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller): 9 Below Zero – 1951
14. Salome Bey: You’re Gonna Fall – 1980 *
15. Vernell Townsend: Tears Come Rolling Down – 1984
16. Saints & Sinners: Someday (You’ll Be Sorry) – 1967 *
17. Billie Holiday: I’ll Never Smile Again – 1959
Side Two
1. The Hot Toddys: Rockin’ Crickets – 1959 *
2. Messenjah: Rock On Jah – 1982 *
3. Laurier Steel Band: Ping Pong Samba – 1970 *
4. The Heptones: Fattie Fattie – 1968
5. Leroy Sibbalds: Love In The Morning – 1982*
6. The Sattalites: She Loves You – 1985 *
7. Sid Lovejoy: Fussin’ And Fighting – 1982 *
8. The Jelly Roll Kings – Jelly Roll Stroll – 1979
9. Faith Nolan: Freedom To Love – 1989 *
10. Dinah Washington: It’s Magic – 1959
11. Ella Fitzgerald: I’ve got A Crush On You – 1950
12. Jackie Shane: Cruel, Cruel World – 1969 *
13. Shawne Jackson: Women Of the World – 1975 *
14. Vincent N-Guini & Afro Train: Ode To Hendrix – 1976
15. Njacko Backo: Noungue – 2009 *
16. Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers: Falling Away – 1968 *
17. Jimi Hendrix Experience: Gypsy Eyes – 1968
18. Lionel Hampton: Perdido – 1947
*CanCon = 40%
And Now for The ParticularsSide One
1. Louis Armstrong & The Hot 7: Dallas Blues
(Hart Wand)
Hot Fives & Sevens Volume 4: JSP Records CD315
New Orleans LA
Louis Armstrong: trumpiet
Otis Johnson: trombone
Henry Allan: trombone
J C Higginbottom: trombone
Albert Nicholes: clarinet
Charlie Holmes: clarinet
Teddy Hill:
Louis Russell: piano
Will Johnson: guitar
Pops Foster: string bass
Paul Barbarin: drums
Compilation Produced, 1991
Recorded New York City, December 10, 1929
2. Blind Blake: Dry Bone Shuffle
(Trad)
Ragtime Guitar’s Foremost Fingerpicker: DLP
Jacksonville FL
Arthur Blake: guitar, vocal
Unknown bones player
Produced for Paramount Records (12479), April, 1927
Compilation Produced 1984
Arthur Blake b Jacksonville FL 1896 / d. Milwaukee WI Dec 2, 1934 (38)
Style known as The Piedmont Blues. Too bad no one really knowns who that bones player was! Blake died of complications from pneumonia.
3. Robert Johnson: Me And The Devil Blues
(Robert Johnson)
King of the Delta Blues Singers Vol 1&2: Blue Diamond CBS Records 22190
Hazelhurst, MS
Robert Johnson: guitar, vocal
Produced by Don Law
Recorded by Don Law June 20, 1937, The Vitagraph Building, Dallas Texas
Robert Leroy Johnson (b. May 8, 1911 Hazelhurst MS / d. Aug 16, 1938 Greenwood MS (27)
Johnson was brought to Dallas to record in The Vitagraph Building. He reportedly recorded facing the wall, which has been cited as evidence that he was a shy man, but there is another theory that Johnson found that his guitar sounded better facing that wall. The conclusion that he was shy was played up in the inaccurate liner notes of the 1961 release of King of the Delta Blues Singers. Ry Cooder speculates that Johnson played facing a corner to enhance the sound of the guitar, a technique he calls "corner loading".
4. Big Amos Patton: You’re Too Young
(Amos Patton)
River Town Blues: Hi / London SHL 32063
Memphis TN
Big Amos: guitar, vocals
Produced by Hi Records, 1970
Amos Patton b. 1921 in Sardis, MS
Big Amos Patton came to music with one of the more extraordinary pedigrees a man could have, as a nephew of Charley Patton. He was heavily influenced by that of Rice Miller, aka Sonny Boy Williamson II. He moved to West Memphis, AR, after serving in World War II, mostly working with Joe Willie Wilkins, doing radio shows and playing local juke joints.
5. Frank Frost: Cotton Needs Pickin’
(Frost / Homes / Taylor / Price)
Crossroads Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Warner Brothers 92 53991
Helena Arkansas
Frank Frost: harmonica, lead vocal
John Price: drums
Richard Holmes: bass
Otis Taylor: guitar
Jim Dickinson: organ
Ry Cooder: guitar
Produced by Ry Cooder, 1986
Recorded at Ocean Way Studios, Los Angeles by Mark Ettel
Second engineers: Tony Chiappa & Dave Ahlert
Mixed at Ocean Way and Record One by Judy Last
Mastered by Bernie Grundman
Frank Otis Frost b. April 15, 1936 (or 1938) Auvergne Ark / d. October 12, 1999 (63) Helena, Ark
At the age of 18, Frost became a guitarist and began touring with drummer Sam Carr and the great Robert Nighthawk. Soon after that he toured with Rice Miller, (aka Sonny Boy Williamson II) who helped teach him how to play the blues harp. He recorded sporadically and was re-discovered in the 1970s by Earwig Records who produced his band as The Jelly Roll Kings. Ry Cooder coerced Frost into performing in the film Crossroads in 1986.
In later years, Frost's health declined, yet he continued to play. Four days before his death, he appeared with Carr at the King Biscuit Blues Festival. He died of cardiac arrest in Helena, Arkansas in 1999, and is buried in Magnolia Cemetery in Helena.
6. Boogaloo And His Gallant Crew: Cops and Robbers
(Kent Harris)
45 single bw Clothes Line (Wrap It Up): Crest 1030
Oklahoma City
Kent Harris aka Boogaloo: vocals
Produced 1956
Kent Levaughn Harris b. October 15, 1930 Oklahoma City / d. April 9, 2019 (88)Kent Harris was an American songwriter and record producer, who is best known as the writer of novelty tunes such as "Shoppin' for Clothes" (a hit for The Coasters, credited to Harris, Leiber and Stoller),and "Cops and Robbers" (a hit for Bo Diddley). He recorded under various pseudonyms including Ducky Drake and Boogaloo and his Gallant Crew.
7. Ahmad Jamal: Billy Boy
(Trad)
Poinciana: Argo Records – LP-719
Pittsburgh PA
Bass: Israel Crosby
Drums: Vernell Fournier
Piano: Ahmad Jamal
Produced by John Hammond Sr, 1963
Recorded by Malcolm Chisholm
Recorded live at the Pershing Lounge, Chicago, Illinois, January 16, 1958
Ahmad Jamal b. 2 July 1930 Pittsburgh PA / d. April 16, 2023 (92) Ashley Falls, Mass
Converted to Islam when in his 20s, and changed his name to Ahmad Jamal in 1950.
2003: American Jazz Hall of Fame, New Jersey Jazz Society
2007: Living Jazz Legend, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2007: Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, French government
2011: Down Beat Hall of Fame, 76th Readers Poll
2015: Honorary Doctorate of Music, The New England Conservatory
2017: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, The Recording Academy
8. Albert Collins: Blue Monday Hangover
(Deadric Malone / Gilbert Caple)
Frostbite: Alligator Records AL 4719
Leona TX
Albert Collins: guitar, vocal
Johnny Gayden: bass
Casey Jones: drums
Marvin Jackson: guitar
Allen Batts: keys
A.C. Reed: sax
Produced by Bruce Iglauer, Casey Jones and Dick Sherman, 1980
Recorded at Curtom Studios, Chicago by Eddie B Flick
Albert Gene Drewery (b. Leona TX Oct 1, 1932 / d. Nov 24, 1993 Las Vegas NV) (61)
Blue Monday Hangovers goes back a long way! Deadric Malone aka Don Robey claimed author-ship over the song. He was notorious for his controversial business practices; he reputedly used criminal means, including violence and intimidation, as part of his business model and claimed authorship over his client’s songs.
9. Jr. Wells’ Chicago Blues Band: Hey Lawdy Mama
(PD)
Hoodoo Man Blues: Delmark Records DS 612
Chicago
Junior Wells: vocals
Buddy Guy: lead guitar
Jack Myers: bass
Billy Warren: drums
Produced by Robert G Koester, 1965
Recorded by Stu Black at Sound Studios, Chicago
Amos Wells b. Dec 9, 1934 Memphis TN / d. January 15, 1998 (63) Chicago
10. Buddy Guy: You’ve Been Gone Too Long
(George Guy)
Stone Crazy!: Alligator Records – AL 4723
Chicago ILL
Buddy Guy: guitar, vocals
J W Williams: bass
Ray Allison: drums
Produced by Didier Tricard, 1981
Recorded at Condorcet Studios, Toulouse, France – October 1979
Originally released in France on Isabel Records 1980
b. George Guy July 30, 1936 Lettsworth, La
Started playing in Louisiana bands in the early 50s and moved to Chicago where he got involved with Jr Wells Band. His 1st official solo gig was at Mariposa Folk Festival 1967 – booked by Estelle Klein with prodding from Sir Richard Flohil. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 14, 2005, by Eric Clapton and B.B. King
11. Richie Havens: Long Train Running
(Tom Johnston)
The End of the Beginning: A&M Records CS-4598
Brooklyn NY
Richie Havens: acoustic guitar, vocal
Tony Broussard: bass
Darryle Johnson: electric guitar
Joey Oliver: keys
William Smith: keys
Tessie Coen: percussion
Matt Moore: bg vocals
Danny Moore: bg vocals
Produced by David Kershenbaum, 1976
Recorded at A&M Studios, Clover Recorders, Sound Labs, Hollywood and Silvery Moon Studios
Mixed at Sound Labs, Hollywood
Mastered at A&M Studios by Bernie Grundman
Richard Pierce Havens b. Brooklyn, NY January 21, 1941 / d. April 22, 2013 (72) Jersey City, NJ
12. Charles Mingus: Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting
(Charles Mingus)
Blues & Roots: Atlantic Records SD 1305
Nogales, Arizona
Bass – Charles Mingus
Drums – Dannie Richmond
Piano – Horace Parlan, Mal Waldron
Saxophone [Alto] – Jackie McLean, John Handy
Saxophone [Baritone] – Pepper Adams
Trombone – Jimmy Knepper, Willie Dennis
Saxophone [Tenor] – Booker Ervin
Produced by Nesuhi Ertegun, 1960
Recorded by Tom Dowd, 1959
Charles Mingus Jr. b April 22, 1922 Nogales, Arizona / d Jan 5, 1979 (56) Cuernavaca, Mexico
13. Sonny Boy Williamson: Nine Below Zero
(Rice Miller)
This is my Story: Chess 2CH50027
Chicago
Rice Miller: vocal, blues harp
Compilation produced by Pete Welding, 1972
Originally recorded, 1951
14. Salome Bey: You’re Gonna Fall
(Russ Little)
Salome Bey: Pickwick Records – PC 60001
Toronto ON
Salome Bey: vocals
Unknown band
Produced by Roy Smith 1980
Recorded by Roy Smith at Eastern Sound Studios, Toronto
Salome Bey b. October 10, 1933 Newark, NJ / d. August 8, 2020 (86) Toronto
Bey began performing with her brother and sister in a group called Andy and the Bey Sisters.
Coming to Canada from New Jersey, Bey lived in Toronto since 1964. She wrote and starred in "Indigo," a cabaret about the history of Black music. The show, which won two Dora Mavor Moore Awards, was broadcast on CBC TV in 1984.
She also earned a Grammy nomination for her work on the cast album of the Broadway show, "Your Arms Too Short to Box with God."
She was known as "Canada's First Lady of Blues". In 2005, she was made an honorary Member of the Order of Canada. Beginning in her early sixties, Bey began showing signs of dementia. As of 2011 her illness had progressed to the point that she could no longer perform.
15. Vernell Townsend: Tears Come Rolling Down – 1984
(Henry Townsend)
Mule: Nighthawk 201
St. Louis, MO
Vernell Townsend: vocals
Henry Townsend: guitar
Norman Merritt: guitar
Produced by Bob Schoenfeld and Leroy Pierson, 1980
Recorded by Steve Fuller at Multi Sound Studios
Henry Jesse James Townsend b. Oct 27, 1909 Shelby, Miss / d. Sep 24, 2006 (96) Mequon, WI
Vernell Townsend b. April 05, 1930 in Brinkley, Arkansas. / d. Sep 21, 1995 St. Louis, Missouri
One of the unique blues singers, Henry began his recording career back in 1929. I got to bring him and Vernell to the Mariposa Folk Festival held at Molson Park, Barrie in 1987.
On February 10, 2008, Townsend was posthumously awarded a Grammy, his first, at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards.
16. Saints & Sinners: Someday (You’ll Be Sorry)
(Louis Armstrong)
In Canada: Cav-a Bob Records ST 55720
USA
Red Richards: piano
Vic Dickenson: trombone
Herman Autrey: trumpet
Rudy Powell: clarinet, alto & tenor sax
Dan Mastri: bass
George Reed: drums
Produced by Roy Irlam, 1967
Recorded by Phil Sheridan
It’s hard to comprehend what Afro-American had to contend with performing in their own country. Even in the North, they would be refused accommodations and treated poorly. But up in Toronto, in the mid-1960s, things were different.
The Saints and Sinners were a band of American jazz musicians who loved playing in Toronto. Their reed player, Rudy Powell, told a newspaper interviewer: “The people I’ve met….you wouldn’t believe it….the friends I’ve made. This city is ‘The End’. Great!”
My copy, picked up second hand, was once the proud property of Toronto jazz singer Jody Drake as it’s signed to her by members of the band on the back cover.
17. Billie Holiday: I’ll Never Smile Again
(Ruth Lowe)
Last Recording: MGM Records
Philadelphia PA
Ray Ellis: band leader
Harry Edison: trumpet
Joe Wilder: trumpet
Billy Byers: trombone
Al Cohn: tenor sad
Danny Bank: baritone sax
Hank Jones: piano
Barry Galbraith: guitar
Milt Hinton: bass
Osie Johnson: drums
Produced by Ray Ellis, 1959
Recorded March 3 to 11, 1959, NYC
Eleanora Fagan b. Philadelphia PA Apir 7, 1915 / d. NYC July 17, 1959 (44)
Ruth Lowe (August 12, 1914 – January 4, 1981) was a Canadian pianist and songwriter. She wrote the song after her husband died during surgery. The song was later covered by many artists, including Frank Sinatra and The Ink Spots.
In 1936, Ruth was working in the 'Song Shop' in Toronto when Ina Ray Hutton brought her all-female band (the Melodears) to town. Her piano player had taken ill, and Ina was frantically trying to locate a good-looking blonde lady replacement. Ruth Lowe auditioned, and became the regular pianist in Ina Ray's band. At age 23 (1938), Ruth married Harold Cohen, a Chicago music publicist. It was a very happy marriage that only lasted one year until Harold's tragic demise during an operation in 1939. In her deep grief, Ruth returned to live in Toronto. In her lonely apartment, she composed "I'll Never Smile Again".
The song "I'll Never Smile Again" was first heard on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's (CBC) radio program Music By Faith, in an arrangement by Canadian musician Percy Faith, who would soon go on to fame in the USA and the world. Approximately a year later, Ruth passed a copy of the tune to a saxophone player in the Tommy Dorsey band, hoping to have Dorsey hear the tune. Dorsey thought the tune had much merit, and arranged it for his very young singer, Frank Sinatra. It was Sinatra's first great hit, and really launched Sinatra on his phenomenal career. Later she wrote the lyrics for still another Frank Sinatra hit, "Put Your Dreams Away (For Another Day)", Frank's 'signature' song, (which was also played at his funeral). The tune was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1982.
Side Two
1. Hot Toddies: Rockin’ Crickets
(Bill Pernell / Vaughan Jonah)
45 Single: Shan-Todd Records ST-0056
Niagara Falls ON
Bill Pernell, Ohio, sax
Vaughan Jonah, Niagara Falls ON, guitar
Garry Kelba, Port Colburne ON, drums
Big John “T-Bone” Little, rhythm guitar, vocals
Produced by Tom Shannon & Phil Todaro, March 1959
Recorded at Shan-Todd studios, Buffalo NY by Phil Todaro
John Little b. Niagara Falls ON November 19, 1929
The real name of the band was Big John Little and the Rockers but recorded as The Hot-Toddys. Their first record was I’ll Always Love You bw Rock With Me Baby, first recorded on Tri-Fi label out of NYC
2. Messenjah: Rock On Jah
(Eric Walch)
Rock You High: Phonyx Records WRC1-2430
Kitchener ON
Errol Blackwood: vocal, bass
Rupert Harvey: vocal, guitar, vax
Eric Walsh: guitar
Raymond Ruddock: drums
Hal Duggan: keys
Tony King: percussion
Produced by Rupert Harvey, 1982
Recorded by Richard Bowen at Circle Sound Studio, San Diego CA
Kitchener ON based band. This is their first LP. Toured internationally for 16 yrs. Won Juno for Best Reggae LP in 1989. Appeared at Skydome, Toronto, 1998 with Nelson Mandela.
One of Canada's first reggae bands, Messenjah formed in Ontario in 1980 when Jamaican-American Errol Blackwood (vocals, bass) and Rupert Harvey (vocals, guitar) began playing together. WEA signed the group in 1982 and released their earlier independent album, Rock You High. Messenjah had toured all over North America as well as in Jamaica for over sixteen years and in 1989 won the Juno Award for Best Reggae Recording.
3. The Laurier Steel Band: Ping Pong Samba
(Russ Henderson)
45 EP w Montuno and Mask of a Clown: Laurier Sound LSB 101
Toronto
Selwyn Gomes: pans
Others not listed
Produced 1970
Selwyn Gomes b. Port-Of-Spain, Trinidad March 28, 1934 / d. Feb 16, 2019 Stouffville ON (84)
4. The Heptones: Fattie Fattie
(Leroy Sibbles)
45 single bw Fattie dub version: CoxSone Records (no serial)
Kingston, Jamaica
Leroy Sibbles: guitar
Barry Llewellyn:
Naggo Morris:
Produced by Coxsone Dodd, 1968
Recorded at Studio One, Kingston by Coxsone Dodd
Really the last of the rocksteady bands, these guys lasted until 1978 when Sibbles quit the band to concentrate on a solo career. But everybody loved this band! Contemporaries of The Wailers and The Maytels, they were every bit as good. Besides having a good career, they also worked as studio musicians for some pretty famous people. They recorded two albums for Island Records before the end.
5. Leroy Sibbles w Nicodemus: Love In The Morning
(Sibbles)
Twelve inch single bw Dub in the Morning: Micron Music Canada 0043
Kingston, Jamaica / Toronto
Leroy Sibbles: guitar, vocals
Nicodemus: vocals
Produced by Leroy Sibbles, 1982
Leroy Sibbles b. Kingston, Jamaica Jan 29, 1949
Nicodemus aka Cecil Wellington b. 1957 / d. NYC 1996
After serving in the Heptones (as lead vocalist), he became one of the pillars of Reggae having worked beside Clement “Coxsone” Dodd at Studio One in Jamaica, from 1965, and as a bass player in recording sessions. Sibbles moved to Toronto in 1973 where he lived for 20 years. During his time in Toronto, where he played regularly at Edgertons, he recorded several albums and won a Juno Award for Best Reggae album in 1987. In Toronto he formed a supergroup called Dance Appeal which included hip-hop artists such as Dream Warriors, Michie Mee, Lillian Allan, Messenjah, Lorraine Segato and others.
6. The Sattalites: She Loves You
(Lennon / McCartney)
45 single: Axe Records 87
Toronto ON
Fergus Hambleton: lead vocals, guitar, sax
Jo Jo Bennett: flugelhorn, percussion
David Fowler: Keys
Bruce McGillivray: bass
Junior McPherson: drums
Rick Morrison: sax
Bruce Robinson: piano
Produced by Fergus Hambleton & Jo Jo Bennett, 1985
Recorded by The Beatles 1 July 1963.
Lennon and McCartney started composing "She Loves You" on 26 June 1963 after a concert at the Majestic Ballroom in Newcastle upon Tyne during their tour with Roy Orbison and Gerry and the Pacemakers. They began writing the song on the tour bus, and continued later that night at their hotel in Newcastle eventually completing it the following day at McCartney's family home in Forthlin Road, Liverpool. They recorded it 1 July 1963.
7. Sid Lovejoy: Fussin’ And Fighting
(S Lovejoy)
Jah Jah Knows: L.M.P. Records SL2701
Toronto
Sid Lovejoy: vocal
Lloyd Parks: bass
Chinna: lead guitar
Bobby Ellis: trumpet
Dean Fraser: sax
Bungo Herman: percussion
The Gaylads: back up vocals
We The People Band: rhythm
Paul Zaza: strings
Produced by Sid Lovejoy, 1982
Recorded at Harry J Studio
Mixed at Harry J Studio and Channel One Studio, Kingston Jamaica
Lovejoy, a musician and welder, ran Lovejoy Music Productions on Bathurst St in Toronto which was a record store, label and recording studio. He’s known as the producer of another Toronto-based reggae artist Rothadam. He only released this one album, but cut 6 singles between 1974 and 1987. He later turned to music production.
8. The Jelly Roll Kings: Jelly Roll Stroll
(Sam Carr / Frank Frost / Jack Johnson)
Rockin’ The Juke Joint Down: Earwig Records – LPS 4901
Clarksdale MS
Frank Frost: harmonica, keys, vocals
Jack Johnson: guitar
Sam Carr: drums
Produced by Michael Robert Frank, 1979
Recorded by Ron Capone and John Hamden at Ardent Recordings Inc., Memphis
These guys were the ultimate street musicians lead by guitarist/keyboardist Frank Frost who went on to appear and perform in the movie Crossroads at the behest of the film’s music director, Ry Cooder. These guys played so long together that, no matter what they did, it sounded great. Real rough country blues. From 1962 and into the 1970s they performed under the name The Nighthawks. This album, Rockin' the Juke Joint Down, was the debut release of the Earwig Music Company. Frank Frost died in 1999, Sam Carr followed in 2009, and Big Jack Johnson in 2011.
9. Faith Nolan: Freedom To Love
(Faith Nolan)
Freedom To Love: Aural Tradition ATR 302
Toronto ON
Faith Nolan, guitar, vocals
Michael Creber, piano
Roy Forbes, guitars
Laurence Knight, bass
Chris Nordquist, drums
Produced by Roy Forbes, 1989
Recorded & Mixed by Rolf Hannemann at Mushroom Studios, Vancouver BC January 1989
10. Dinah Washington: It’s Magic
(Jule Styne / Sammy Cahn)
What A Diff'rence A Day Makes! Mercury Records – SR 60158
Chicago
Dinah Washington: vocal
Belford Hendricks Orchestra
Produced by Clyde Otis, 1959
Ruth Lee Jones b. Tuscaloosa, Alabama August 29, 1924 / d. December 14, 1963 (36) Detroit
This song comes from Washington’s major break-through year, 1959. Her version of What A Difference A Day Makes, which is the title of this album, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. She won Best Rhythm & Blues Performance Grammy in 1959 for this album. Three of her songs have been inducted into the Grammy Awards Hall of Fame, including her version of Unforgetable, also in 1969.
11. Ella Fitzgerald: I’ve Got A Crush On You
(George Gershwin)
Ella Sings Gershwin: Brunswick Records LA 8648
Newport News, VA
Ella Fitzgerald: vocals
Ellis Larkin: piano
Produced by Milt Gabler, 1950
Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996)
This was Ella’s first album: a 10 inch, 8 song record that I found in a UK Charity Shop for 1 pound, 99. The complete album was combined with Fitzgerald's 1954 album Songs in a Mellow Mood and re-issued on CD in 1994 by MCA Records on the GRP Jazz label under the title Pure Ella.
Bing Crosby Lifetime Achievement Award (1967)
Honorary chairmanship of the Martin Luther King Foundation (1967)
Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President George H. W. Bush
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences' Lifetime Achievement Award
Honorary doctorates from Harvard University, Yale University, Dartmouth, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Howard University and Princeton
12. Jackie Shane: Cruel Cruel World
(Shane)
45 single bw New Way of Lovin’: Paragon Records PA 1028
Toronto ON
Jackie Shane: vocal
Produced by Jackie Shane, 1969
Jackie Shane b. Nashville TN May 15, 1940 / d. Feb 21, 2019 Nashville
Jackie Shane came to Toronto in 1959 and, like Lonnie Johnson, decided that Canada was to be her new home. She said: “One cannot choose where one is born, but you can choose your home.” She went on to release some fabulous records but decided, in 1971, to leave it all behind her. She returned to the States to look after her mother, who lived in Nashville. In 2017 an anthology album of Shane’s works was issued by the Numero Group label and was nominated for a Grammy Award. The liner notes were written by Toronto’s Rob Bowman who claimed that Shane’s life “story is so remarkable, that even Hollywood couldn’t dream it up.”
13. Shawn Jackson: Women of the World
(Domenic Troiano)
Shawn Jackson: RCA APL1-1320
Toronto ON
Domenic Troiano, guitar
No other musicians listed
Produced by Domenic Troiano, 1975
Recorded by Keith Olsen, Terry Brown, George Semkiw, Brian Christian at Sound City, Toronto Sound, Sound Stage and Phase I, Toronto
Mastered by Rick Collins at Kendun Recorders
Started her music career when she was only 15, fronting a Toronto band called The Silhouettes before joining her brother, Jay, in The Majestics. In The Silhouettes she got national TV exposure after landing a vocal gig with CBC’s Music Hop program. Although her solo music career took a backseat to her acting, she’s backed up artists, such as her husband, Domenic Troiano, Luba, Bruce Cockburn, Sass Jordan, Colin James, Long John Baldry, Alice Cooper and The McKenzie Brothers.
14. Vincent N-Guini & Afro Train: Ode To Hendrix
(V N’Guini)
Assalam Allikoum Africa: Progressive & Popular Music of West Africa – Vol I: Antilles AN 7032
Obala, Cameroon
Vincent N’Guini: guitar
Jean Ndjoh: bass
Keith Banvo: drums
Mahamed C Cherif: organ
Greg Skelton: tenor Sax
Roger Nahim: alto sax
Harry Forson: trumpet
Jean-Claude Kongnon: tumba
Produced by Catherine Oro & Albert Loudes, 1976
He began professionally in music in 1969 by interpreting in clubs and hotels Cameroon standard jazz and pop groups and artists like the Beatles, Jimmy Hendrix, Deep Purple, The Who, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Frank Zappa .. . Enriched by these experiences, he decided in 1973 to travel around West Africa where he will learn about different musical styles. 1978 moved to Paris (France) where he became the guitarist and band leader of the group of Manu Dibango. Moved to New York 1987 – played with Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Aaron Neville, The Who, Hugh Masekela etc
15. Njacko Backo: Noungue
(Porquios / J Backo / C Yarwood)
Où Est L'amour: NB 2009
Toronto ON
Chip Yarwood
Altaf
Bwana Moto
Juan Pablo Dominguez
Anne Lederman: violin
Joaquin Nunuez Hidalgo
Produced by Njacko Backo & Chris Yarwood, 2009
Recorded at Studio Seewhysound, Toronto by Chris Yarwood
Mastered by Andy Krehm at Silverbirch Productions, Toronto
16. Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers: Fading Away
(Pete Rogers / Robert Rogers / Smokey Robinson / Warren Moore / William Robinson JR)
Bobby Taylor And The Vancouvers: Tamla Motown Records GOS 930
Washington DC / Vancouver BC
Thomas "Tommy" Chong: guitar, vocals
Robert "Bobby" Taylor: lead vocals
Edward Patterson: guitar
Wes Henderson: bass
Robbie King: keyboards
Ted Lewis: drums
Produced by Barry Gordy Jr, 1968
Robert Edward Taylor b. Washington DC Feb 18, 1934
As a young man, Taylor moved to New York City and sang in doo-wop groups with singers who later joined successful acts such as Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers and Little Anthony and the Imperials. In fact, Little Anthony was obviously a huge influence on the vocal style that Taylor loved to use. He met a band with a few names, but based out of Calgary they called themselves The Calgary Shades and were totally interracial: black, white, aboriginal, Chinese. Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong among them, and Floyd Sneed (later drummer for Three Dog Night). With Taylor joining them they renamed themselves Little Daddy & The Bachelors. At Chong's suggestion they billed themselves as "Four Niggers and a Chink" (or, bowing to pressure, "Four N's and a C") before taking on the moniker Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers.
In 1965, Supremes members Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard heard the band and alerted Motown’s Berry Gordy, Jr. who brought the Vancouvers to Motown Records in Detroit, and signed them to his Gordy Records imprint. They recorded a few records then the band broke up. It was messy to say the least!
17. Jimi Hendrix Experience: Gypsy Eyes
(Jimi Hendrix)
Electric Ladyland: Reprise 6307
Seattle WA / London UK
Jimi Hendrix: guitars, vocals
Noel Redding: bass
Mitch Mitchell: drums
Produced by Jimi Hendrix, 1968
Recorded by Gary Kellgren and Eddie Kramer at The record Plant, NYC
Photos by Linda Eastman
18. Lionel Hampton with The Jazz Allstars: Perdido
(Tizol / Lenk / Drake)
45 single bw Flying Home: Vogue Records – EPV1190
New York City
Lionel Hampton: vibes
Charlie Shavers: trumpet
Willie Smith: alto
Milt Buckner: piano
Barney Kessel: guitar
Slam Stewart: bass
Jackie Mills and / or Lee Young: drums
Produced by Gene Norman, 1947
Recorded live at the Pasadena Auditorium
Released on Vogue Records – 1956
Lionel Leo Hampton b. Louisville, Kentucky April 20, 1908 / d. August 31, 2002 NYC (94)
Heard over:
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Mondays 12 noon Tuesdays 10 pm NT
Radio Bell Island 93.9 FM Radio VGR
Wabana, Bell Island NL London/Thetford UK
Wednesdays 4 pm NT Tues 10 pm GMT; Sat 3:30 am
Bluewater Radio CFBW 91.3 FM VOBB The Voice of Bonne Bay
Walkerton ON Rocky Harbour 98.1 FM
Grey Co. ON Bonne Bay 95.9 FM
Sundays 6 pm ET Tuesdays 9 pm NT
BOIR Bay of Islands Radio Home Grown Community Radio
100.1 FM CHCR 102.9 FM & 104.5 FM
Corner Brook, NL Killaloe & Wilno ON
Thursdays 2 pm NT Various Times
Community Radio CIOE
97.5 FM
Lower Sackville NS
Sun 8 pm AT