Maybellene / Wee Wee Hours - Chuck Berry and His Combo
Chess
Produced by Leonard and Phil Chess
Released 23rd July 1955
US R&B Chart #1
US Hot 100 Chart #5
A-Side: Maybellene
(Written by Chuck Berry)
B-Side: Wee Wee Hours
(Written by Chuck Berry)
61 years ago on this very day, 23rd July 1955, Chess Records of Chicago released the debut single of Charles Edward Anderson Berry, best known to us as Chuck Berry.
Berry had arrived in Chicago in May 1955 and had met Muddy Waters who suggested he contact Leonard Chess as someone who might help him develop his musical career. Before long he found himself among the very talented roster of Chess Records.
Chuck Berry had thought that his Blues music would be of great interest to Chess but it was actually an old hillbilly fiddle song called Ida Red that Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys had made famous back in 1938 and was part of Berry's repertoire that caught his attention.
Chuck Berry had renamed the song Ida May but Chess thought that was still 'too rurual' and suggested Maybellene (to avoid a possible court case by naming it Maybelline after the cosmetic company).
He beefed up the song by adding bass and maracas to the tune. The band that recorded the song was Johnnie Johnson on piano, Jerome Green (from Bo Diddley's band) on the maracas, Jasper Thomas on the drums and Willie Dixon on the bass.
The song was recorded on the 21st May 1955 and within two months it was out on the street and by September it was a crossover hit record.
Now get this: the record sold one million copies by the end of 1955! Can you believe that? His first single, not only was it a hit but a million seller (there weren't too many of those around back then!).
We look back on this song now and see that it was one of the very first Rock and Roll artists by a Black Artist to achieve major success in both Black and White markets. It is considered to be one of the Most Pioneering Rock and Roll Singles of All Time.
In 1988 "Maybellene" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for its influence as a rock-and-roll record.In 1988 "Maybellene" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for its influence as a rock-and-roll record. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included "Maybellene" in its list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll" (also included are Berry's recordings of "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B. Goode"). In 1999, National Public Radio included it in the "NPR 100", the one hundred most important American musical works of the 20th century, chosen by NPR music editors. "Maybellene" is currently ranked as the 98th greatest song of all time, as well as the second best song of 1955, by Acclaimed Music. The song is ranked number 18 on Rolling Stone's list of "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
I think it's about time to unleash some Elvis Costello live footage on The Soundtrack4Life Concert Series. I honestly thought I had posted at least one concert of his as part of this series but it seems not.
Let us rectify that with not one but two Elvis Costello shows, the first from 1978 featuring The Attractions. This was filmed in Germany as part of the Rockpalast Series for German TV.
The second is pretty much an acoustic performance from Woodstock 99. It's interesting seeing the difference between the two and how much confidence Costello has mustered over the course of 21 years!
Elvis Costello & The Attractions Rockpalast 15th June 1978
Elvis Costello Woodstock 99 East Stage 25th July 1999
Setlist: Pads, Paws And Claws/Mystery Dance Accidents Will Happen (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea New Amsterdam / You've Got To Hide Your Love Away Veronica Everyday I Write the Book I'll Never Fall In Love Again (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes Radio Sweetheart / Jackie Wilson Said God's Comic (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding Alison Pump It Up
Original Tracklist Side One "Welcome to the Working Week" – 1:22 "Miracle Man" – 3:31 "No Dancing" – 2:39 "Blame It on Cain" – 2:49 "Alison" – 2:54 "Sneaky Feelings" – 2:09
Side Two "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" – 2:47 "Less Than Zero" – 3:15 "Mystery Dance" – 1:38 "Pay It Back" – 2:33 "I'm Not Angry" – 2:57 "Waiting for the End of the World" – 3:22
"Watching the Detectives", released in the UK as a single in October 1977, was not on the original UK release of the album, but was added to the US release as the last track on Side One. On the version above it is placed at the end of the album.
Between 1974-1976 D.P. Costello (as he was known then) was living in London and had formed a band called Flip City (you can hear some of the early demos they recorded by Clicking Here). Some of the songs he was performing with them went through a process of re-writing and became the songs that he would perform as he came to make his debut album My Aim is True. The song Radio Soul which was recorded in 1975 at the Attic Studio at the Hope and Anchor Pub in Islington would later be transformed to become Radio Radio.
Not totally sure when Flip City packed it in but by 1976 Costello was looking for a possible solo deal. At the time when he was working as a Data Entry Clerk for the Midland Bank he plucked up the courage to pass on a demo tape of some of his songs to the newly formed Stiff Records and on the basis of that tape they signed him. It was Jake Rivera who had suggested dropping the D.P. and adding Elvis to his name.
Stiff Records had originally want Costello as a songwriter for Dave Edmunds but the Welsh rocker seemed to be unwilling to be involved and even a demo of some songs recorded with Nick Lowe producing didn't move him. I'm not 100% sure if those demos are known as The Pathway Demos that were laid down in January 1977 (though I think maybe not as I'm sure that the backing band was used on those recordings whereas these Pathway demos are just Costello on guitar). Whatever the case, whilst maybe not appealing to Edmunds the songs were very appealing to Rivera and those at Stiff Records.
The first suggestion had been to record a Split Debut with labelmate Wreckless Eric but Costello had plenty of songs to be able to fill an album on his own. He had called in sick at work in order to rehearse with the band Clover who would be recording with him. The album would be recorded over six four hour sessions costing about £1,000.
Personnel Elvis Costello – vocals, guitar, piano and drumsticks on "Mystery Dance" John McFee – lead guitar, pedal steel guitar, backing vocals Sean Hopper – piano, organ, backing vocals Johnny Ciambotti – bass, backing vocals Mickey Shine – drums Stan Shaw – organ on "Less Than Zero" Nick Lowe – backing vocals, piano, drumsticks and bass on "Mystery Dance"
A quick word should maybe said about Clover, who were the backing band on the album (this was before the formation of The Attractions). The band were a Country Rock outfit from California and had been on the go since 1967. By the time they had come to work with Costello they had recorded and released four albums and a bucket load of singles (you can listen to their 1976 album Unavailable by Clicking Here). They supported Thin Lizzy on tour during the 1970s. They disbanded in 1978 and returned to the USA. Sean Hopper and Huey Lewis were instrumental in forming Huey Lewis and the News. McFee joined Southern Pacific and then the Doobie Brothers. Johnny Ciambotti had played on sessions with Lucinda Williams, John Prine and Carlene Carter before becoming a Doctor serving as a Chiropractor in Toluca Lake, Calfornia (he passed away in 2010).
One last thing regarding Clover. In November 2007 Costello reunited with members of Clover to perform some songs from My Aim is True (you can watch some of it by Clicking Here). This was the first and only time to date that the original ensemble who had recorded them got to play them live together. This is absolutely fascinating to watch so please take the time to do so, you won't be disappointed.
Costello had remained at his job with the release of the first two singles and then quit his job becoming a professional musician. Stiff Records matched his office wages and gave him and advance of £150, an amp and a tape recorder. Within three weeks of the release of the album he was on the front pages of the music press! He described this situation as being "an overnight success after seven years".
It's a great debut album loaded with some tasty tunes, magnificent Cover Art designed by Barney Bubbles that cheekily declared "Elvis is King" all over the black and white checks and the picture is so iconic. He looks anything but a rocker, more a Science Teacher pretending to be a Pop star in front of his bedroom mirror. The old maxim of don't judge a book by looking at its cover rings true because it was the songs that blew everything up. With the crazy rocking tunes like album opener Welcome to the Working Week to the sensitive Alison, you just knew that Costello was bound for stardom.
The release of the single (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes somehow or another got him on Top of the Pops, this was most unusal as the single did not actually chart. He performed with his Musician's Union Card in his top pocket just incase someone asked him if he should actually be on the show!
With the release of Watching the Detectives single Elvis Costello would become a household name and since My Aim is True he has gone on to release another 29 studio albums (11 of them Top 10 in the UK), 6 live albums, and 62 singles (37 of which have charted in the UK). There at least 16 official Compilations of the music of Elvis Costello.
More Songs About Buildings and Food - Talking Heads
Sire
Produced by Brian Eno and Talking Heads
Released 21st July 1978
US Chart #29
UK Chart # 21
More Songs About Buildings and Food was the second studio album from New York band Talking Heads. It was the first of three to be produced alongside Brian Eno.
A cover of Al Green's Take Me To The River was released as the only single from the album. There had been a number of cover versions of the song in the past couple of years leading up to the Talking Heads version. Foghat, Bryan Ferry and Levon Helm had all released it.
The album certainly gave them a wider audience and was more successful than their brilliant debut album Talking Heads: 77.
Formed in 1976 in Edinburgh the Rezillos were very different to the many of the early UK Punk bands as their influences of 1950s Rock and Roll, 60s Pop, B-Movies and Science Fiction dominated everything from their stagewear to the songs they were performing.
Top of the Pops was their third single (the 2nd on Sire) and turned out to be a biggish hit for them. The band sadly didn't quite make it to the end of the year as they split up playing their final show together in December 1978.
What's quite ironic about the single is that they got to perform it on Top of the Pops despite the obvious digs at the show in the lyrics (see below).
Let me say a quick word about Punk and Top of the Pops. It was maybe not the best show musically speaking to appear on but I can remember the absolute joy of seeing the likes of Generation X and The Jam etc appearing on it. A lot of people point back to moments like Bowie performing Starman on Top of the Pops as a life altering, who knows what moments The Clash could have created had they gone on, but they stuck to their "principles" - though I've clearly forgotten exactly what the principles were with regard to Top of the Pops.
So as Isaid pretty much all the bands who had hit records went on: Generation X, The Damned, The Jam, Buzzcocks, Siouxsie and the Banshees to name but a few, abd they appeared on the show a number of times. Even the Sex Pistols were on the show (though their performance was actual a film). The Clash were one of the only bands who held out and never appeared (though there's that famous moment of Legs & Co dancing to Bankrobber!). They seemed to hold onto their non-compliance as if it was some kind of credibility badge which I thought was actually quite sad (I was glad that Mick Jones when he formed Big Audio Dynamite took a different stance!). It still sounds like a great record all these years on I think and a worthy single to be part of the 45RPM Series.
Top of the Pops - Rezillos
On Top of the Pops!
Top of the Pops
(John Callis) Hold Tight - Now we're on our own Cue light - Now it's ready to roll Tonight - How I've waited for aggravated for years It's fun - Oh I just can't wait Hold on - Do I look up to date Your on - I'll do anything if that's the right thing to see
Does it matter what is shown Just as long as everyone knows What is selling what to buy The stock market for your hi-fi
Take the money - Leave the box Everybody's on Top Of The Pops
There's one - Born every day Sing song - Then fade away Ding dong - What's the future in the pop music industry Alright - So you make the grade Hold tight - To the buck you made Just wait - You been rated for constipated peak viewing time
Does it matter what is shown Just as long as everyone knows What's in fashion what is seen On the front of a television screen
Take the money - Leave the box Everybody's on Top Of The Pops
Hold Tight - Now we're on our own Cue light - Now it's ready to roll Tonight - How I've waited for aggravated for years It's fun - Oh I just can't wait Hold on - Do I look up to date Your on - I'll do anything if that's the right thing to see
Does it matter what is shown Just as long as everyone knows What is selling what to buy The stock market for your hi-fi
Take the money - Leave the box Everybody's on Top Of The Pops Pay the money - Watch the box Everybody's on Top Of The Pops Everybody's on Top Of The Pops
Dispensing today with the normal routine of posting an album really just to say one thing...
It was on the cards for awhile now, but last night in Cleveland, Ohio, it became official!
We should all be afraid, very afraid if this manical Reality TV Star gets handed the keys to The White House in a few months time!
"It's the End of the World as We Know It", sings Michael Stipe, but unlike him there are many across the States and even around the world who do not "Feel Fine".
Brand New Eyes, the third studio album from Paramore entered the US Billboard Chart at #2 and also provided them with their first #1 album in the UK (and Austria, Ireland and New Zealand).
There's no particular reason for posting this today, it's not an anniversary of the album or anything but I dug it out last night after listening to Hayley Williams guesting on a new track by CHVRCHES (how on earth are you meant to say that!) which I thought sounded magnificent and thought I'd go and have a re-listen to a couple of Paramore albums and picked this one above the others to share today.
If you want to have a listen to the others then click on the links: All We Know is Falling, Riot!, and their latest Self- Titled album. Hard to believe that it's been three years since that last one and the good news I hear is that they are back in studio making a new album. Only down to two members at the moment - Hayley Williams and Taylor York - after the departure of Jeremy Davis in December 2015 (in March this year he launched a legal battle against Paramore claiming that he should be enjoying some of the benefits of the band as he sees himself as a co-owner of Paramore. Not sure what has happened as a result of that yet).
Singles from Brand New Eyes Ignorance Released: July 7, 2009 US Chart #67, UK Chart #14
Brick by Boring Brick Released: November 23, 2009 UK Chart #85 The Only Exception Released: February 17, 2010 US Chart #24, UK Chart #31 Careful Released: June 8, 2010 US Chart #78, UK Chart #108 Playing God Released: November 15, 2010
There's quite a number of links on here today so click on them to listen to more music from the Ramones.
After releasing their fourteenth studio album, ¡Adios Amigos! the band had announced that if it was unsuccessful then they would be disbanding. You got the feeling though that the decision was already decided upon with the choice of album title! The band had already been together for 21 years (they formed in 1974) and in that time had only one album (End of the Century in 1980) break into the Top 50 in their homeland (it peaked at #44), the same album had been their top placed record in the UK reaching the dizzy heights of #14. 1983's Subterranean Jungle had been the last Ramones studio album to infiltrate the Top 100 (#83). It's incredible to think that albums like Too Tough To Die - 1984 (US #171, UK #63), Animal Boy - 1986 (US #143, UK #38), Halfway To Sanity - 1987 (US #172, UK #78), Brain Drain - 1989 (US #122, UK #75), Mondo Bizzaro - 1987 (US #190, UK #87),and Acid Eaters - 1993 (US #179) - all had disappointing sales and yet their concerts were continually sold out wherever they played and in South America they were performing in front of crowds of thousands!
¡Adios Amigos!- Ramones Released 18th July 1995 Radioactive Records Produced by Daniel Rey US Chart #148
Five of the tracks are co-written by Dee Dee and Daniel Rey (with a sixth credited to Dee Dee and John Carco - 'Born To Die In Berlin'). Joey contributed two songs, the brilliant 'Life's a Gas' and the even more amazing 'She Talks to Rainbows'. C.Jay had two songs ('Scattergun' and 'Got A Lot To Say') and Marky had co-written one for the final project ('Have a Nice Day').
According to the Ramones Wiki page the reason C.Jay got to sing on five (if you include the bonus track 'R.A.M.O.N.E.S.' - originally recorded by Motorhead) was:
"In a reverse decision, many tracks on this album are performed at a slower pace because of Joey's maturing, ailing vocals, a factor the band had acknowledged in previous years. In preceding tours the band had originally played faster with negative reviews of the shows being the result."
But maybe the real reason was that Joey was sick and it was far too much of a strain for him to be able to do a whole albums worth of material.
The album opens with a classic cover version of a Tom Waits song, 'I Don't Want To Grow Up'. It's a song that sets the tone for the rest of the album as they get back to singing perfect pop songs about dysfunction, love and broken hearts.
Dee Dee's songs were interesting. Three of them he had released before ('Makin' Monsters for My Friends' and 'It's Not For Me to Know' had appeared on his 'I Hate Freaks Like You' album and 'The Crusher' was taken from his rap project as Dee Dee King) and each one of them sounded like old school Ramones, none more so than 'Cretin Family'. C.Jay on vocals for all of these sounded more like Dee Dee than Dee Dee did! Shame that his own two songs ('Scattergun' and 'Got A Lot To Say') didn't really make their mark, the same goes for Marky's 'Have A Nice Day'. The other cover on the album is 'I Love You', originally recorded by The Heartbreakers (featuring Johnny Thunders) for their debut'L.A.M.F.'back in 1977. It doesn't quite have the sleaziness of The Heartbreakers version but it is passable. It's another of my favourite cover versions performed by the Ramones.
Marky, C.Jay, Joey and Johnny
Ramones would spend the following year on a farewell tour that culminated in their final show.
The band may have broken up twenty years ago but their music still finds a place on my own Soundtrack4Life.
Not going to give it all away but here's a few of the goodies on Twenty Nine Song Playlist.
Dion & The Belmonts: I Wonder Why, Teenager in Love.
Dion: Runaround Sue, The Wanderer, Ruby Baby, Purple Haze (like you have probably never heard it before!), Born To Be With You, King of The New York Streets, Read It In The Rolling Stone and Ride With Me
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-1952231-1466914815-1482.jpeg.jpg)
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-1952231-1466914814-2829.jpeg.jpg)
Posts
