Ernestine Allen - Let it roll

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Sometimes an album will just up and hit you.

I've just been listening to this Ernestine Allen album, made originally for Tru-Sound in 1961 and reissued on Original Blues Classics. It's not a blues album; doesn't sound like an R &B album to me. Sounds like a vey bluesy jazz album. Damn fine album, whatever.

Produced by Esmond Edwards (I thought the Tru-Sound label was all produced by Ozzie Cadena - shows you how often I read these sleeve notes ) Features the King Curtis band of the day - Paul Griffin (p), Al Casey & Chauncey "Lord" Westbrook (g), Jimmy Lewis (b) & Belton Evans (d). The band is in better than fine form. I've loved Curtis since I started buying records, but his (and the others') playing is really at the top of his form. Relaxed, but really playing stuff.

Ernestine (sometimes credited as Anisteen) Allen sang with Lucky Millinder's band from 1947 to 1954. When Millinder closed his big band down, she left music and took a day job except for occasional weekend gigs. This album came out of a gig with the Curtis band at Smalls', Brooklyn. As far as I know, she never recorded again. A shame. She doesn't sound like any other jazz or R&B singer I've heard. Very relaxed, creative, charming, funky as anything, baby!

One of those albums that gets under your skin. Almost certainly deleted, but probably easy enough to pick up on the cheap from lots of places.

MG

[Big Beat Steve]

Ernestine (sometimes credited as Anisteen) Allen sang with Lucky Millinder's band from 1947 to 1954. When Millinder closed his big band down, she left music and took a day job except for occasional weekend gigs. This album came out of a gig with the Curtis band at Smalls', Brooklyn. As far as I know, she never recorded again. A shame. She doesn't sound like any other jazz or R&B singer I've heard. Very relaxed, creative, charming, funky as anything, baby!

Actually that's not quite so, MG. Annisteen Allen (as she was mostly billed throughout the 1945-55 period) did record quite a bit for Capitol in 1954-55 (with backing probably by the Howard Biggs orchestra) after her tenure with Lucky Millinder had already ended. They have been reissued in the 80s on the "Fujiyama Mama" (eat your heart out, Wanda Jackson! ) LP on (French) Capitol/Pathe Marconi. According to the liner notes of this and another LP of her slightly earlier sides she also recorded for Decca in 1956-57 and for Todd and Warwick in 1959/60.

Edited September 22, 2010 by Big Beat Steve

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Ernestine (sometimes credited as Anisteen) Allen sang with Lucky Millinder's band from 1947 to 1954. When Millinder closed his big band down, she left music and took a day job except for occasional weekend gigs. This album came out of a gig with the Curtis band at Smalls', Brooklyn. As far as I know, she never recorded again. A shame. She doesn't sound like any other jazz or R&B singer I've heard. Very relaxed, creative, charming, funky as anything, baby!

Actually that's not quite so, MG. Annisteen Allen (as she was mostly billed throughout the 1945-55 period) did record quite a bit for Capitol in 1954-55 (with backing probably by the Howard Biggs orchestra) after her tenure with Lucky Millinder had already ended. They have been reissued in the 80s on the "Fujiyama Mama" (eat your heart out, Wanda Jackson! ) LP on (French) Capitol/Pathe Marconi. According to the liner notes of this and another LP of her slightly earlier sides she also recorded for Decca in 1956-57 and for Todd and Warwick in 1959/60.

Oh, good. I'll keep an eye out for that stuff. Don't supose it came out on CD, did it?

Nothing after 1961?

MG

[Big Beat Steve]

Don't supose it came out on CD, did it?

Honestly, I don't know. These tracks would have been ideal for a compilation in the Classics Blues & Rhythm series or on the Blue Moon label but if they haven't made it there then I don't know.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Well, I'll keep my eyes open, now I know there's something.

Thanks

MG