From the late 40’s through into the 70’s,
New Orleans was a veritable hotbed of glorious rhythm & blues music.
Hits by a range of remarkable artists led by Fats Domino,
Little Richard, Lloyd Price, Irma Thomas, Lee Dorsey, Barbara George,
Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry, Ernie K-Doe and Aaron Neville kept
the cash registers ringing.
But beyond the ongoing cascade of best-sellers,
there were stacks of unforgettable singles which graced
many a jukebox at the time but sadly never made it into
the Hot 100 record charts.
Here are just a few of my recommended Crescent City 45’s
along with YouTube links…
ALL NIGHT LONG (Part 1)
(Robert Parker/Larry McKinley)
by Robert Parker
(Ron: 1959)
A magnificent stompin’ instrumental from
saxman Robert Parker who’d played on early
Professor Longhair tracks and clocked up his
own major dance song “Barefootin’” in ’66.
CHA DOOKY-DOO
(Mae Vince)
by Art Neville
(Specialty: 1958)
Singer/songwriter/keyboard playing Art Neville
co-founded the Neville Brothers and this tasty slice
of early New Orleans funk was one of his best 45’s.
(Every Time I Hear) THAT MELLOW SAXOPHONE
(Roy Montrell/John Marascalco/Robert Blackwell)
by Roy Montrell & His Band
Pro: Robert ‘Bumps’ Blackwell
(Specialty: 1956)
Multi-session guitarist Roy Montrell’s one memorable single which
Bob Dylan revived on his ‘Theme Time Radio Hour’.
GREAT BIG EYES (And Great Big Thighs)
(Dave Bartholomew)
by Archibald
Pro: Dave Bartholomew
(Imperial: 1952)
Pianist/singer Archibald (aka Leon T. Gross)
had enjoyed chart success with STACK-A-LEE
two years earlier.
GRUMBLIN’ FUSSIN’ NAG NAG
(Naomi Neville)
by The Del Royals
Pro: Allen Toussaint
(Minit: 1961)
Song also known as ALWAYS NAGGIN’.
The Del Royals were led by Willie Harper
and Calvin LeBlanc.
I’M WISE
(Edwin Bocage/Albert Collins/James Smith)
by Eddie Bo
(Apollo: 1956)
This song started out as I GOT THE BLUES FOR YOU
by Al Collins in ’55. Singer/pianist Eddie Bo rewrote it as
I’M WISE and then Little Richard turned it into
SLIPPIN’ AND SLIDIN’ (Peepin’ And Hidin’).
JAM UP
(Tommy Ridgley)
by Tommy Ridgley & His Band
(Atlantic: 1954)
Singer/bandleader Tommy Ridgeley created
this pulsating jam which DJ Jerry Blavat used
as his theme tune.
JOCK-A-MO
(James Crawford)
by Sugar Boy & His Cane Cutters
(Checker: 1954)
A longtime favorite during the Mardi Gras celebrations,
JOCK-A-MO by James ‘Sugar Boy’ Crawford was adapted
a decade later as IKO IKO by a New Orleans family girl group,
The Dixie Cups.
LIGHTS OUT
(Seth David/Mac Rebennack)
by Jerry Byrne
Pro: Harold Battiste
(Specialty: 1958)
Co-written by singer Jerry Byrne’s cousin Dr. John.
OH LITTLE GIRL
(Dee Clark)
by Dee Clark & The Original Little Richard Band
(Falcon: 1958)
For this 45, Dee Clark of “Raindrops” & ‘Hey Little Girl”
fame adopted Little Richard’s vocal style
and turned up the heat!
RICH WOMAN
(Millet McKinley/Dorothy LaBostrie)
by Li’l Millet & His Creoles
(Specialty: 1955)
This is singer/pianist Li’l Millet’s original
of the song revived by Robert Plant &
Alison Krauss in 2007.
SINGLE LIFE
(Billy Tate/Dave Bartholomew)
by Billy Tate
Pro: Dave Bartholomew
(Imperial: 1954)
When the piano intro begins,
you think its going to be followed by a Fats Domino vocal
but instead you hear blind singer/guitarist Billy Tate.
A great example of a terrific single which should
have had a moment in the sun.
SOMEDAY YOU’LL WANT ME
(Dave Bartholomew/Pearl King)
By Smiley Lewis
Pro: Dave Bartholomew
(Imperial: 1956)
Dave Bartholomew was always very proud of
this song and later recorded it himself under the title
SOMEBODY NEW.
SNEAKIN’ SALLY THROUGH THE ALLEY
(Allen Toussaint)
by Lee Dorsey
Arr: Allen Toussaint
Pro: Allen Toussaint & Marshall Sehorn
(Polydor: 1971)
A perfect showcase for Lee Dorsey’s
infectious, good-humored vocal style.
Robert Palmer used SNEAKIN’ SALLY
as the title song of his 1974 Island LP.
TRICK BAG
(Earl King)
by Earl King
Pro: Dave Bartholomew
(Imperial: 1962)
Jimi Hendrix cut Earl’s COME ON (Part 1)
on “Electric Ladyland” in ’68 and TRICK BAG
was memorably revived by Robert Palmer on his
1985 album ‘Riptide’.
TWO WINTERS LONG
(Naomi Neville)
by Irma Thomas
Pro: Allen Toussaint (Minit: 1962)
Motown-influenced mover from the
Queen of New Orleans soul.
Rock on.
Alan Warner
As in all my postings, the songs and recordings listed above are
personal choices and are in no way intended as a definitive collection of the genre.
Please send any comments or suggestions to
© Alan Warner, 2020.
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