What Blues / R & B / Soul or other Black Music are you listening to right now?

[Dub Modal]

10 minutes ago, JSngry said:

Those two later albums with Clean head are totally fine.

As fine as kidney stew 

[Dub Modal]

New one for me but released 1976: 

 

 

[JSngry]

12 hours ago, Dub Modal said:

New one for me but released 1976: 

 

 

I like that a lot! Is it a Willie Mitchell joint?

No, it's not. But that's John Klemmer!?!?!?

[Dub Modal]

1 hour ago, JSngry said:

I like that a lot! Is it a Willie Mitchell joint?

No, it's not. But that's John Klemmer!?!?!?

Didn't look at the credits last night but yeah, it's Klemmer. I had no idea 

[JSngry]

Clyde McPhatter. Do not forget!!!

[Dub Modal]

11 hours ago, JSngry said:

Clyde McPhatter. Do not forget!!!

From Durham NC. Ain't no forgetting him here. 

[JSngry]

Take it to the world!!!

[JSngry]

 

[JSngry]

 

[JSngry]

 

[JSngry]

 

[Chuck Nessa]

[GA Russell]

[JSngry]

 

[Chuck Nessa]

Tonight and tomorrow.

[JSngry]

Swing.

[Dub Modal]

On 11/17/2025 at 11:39 PM, JSngry said:

Swing.

Were the Chords the original? 

I've always loved this version from Alton Ellis:

 

[Big Beat Steve]

2 hours ago, Dub Modal said:

Were the Chords the original? 

 

Of course they were. 
The Crew Cuts' well-known version was the white cover version along the trends of the day. So whatever came later was a cover version too.
Even without listening to the clip, that Alton/Establishment version looks Jamaican, judging by the record label. So obviously much more recent.  But amusing to listen to. 

Edited November 20 by Big Beat Steve

[GA Russell]

For many years writers used to call the Chords' Sh-Boom the first rock 'n' roll song.

But now they credit Jackie Brenston's Rocket 88.

Edited November 20 by GA Russell

[Big Beat Steve]

1 hour ago, GA Russell said:

For many years writers used to call the Chords' Sh-Boom the first rock 'n' roll song.

But now they credit Jackie Brenston's Rocket 88.

So "prevailing opinions" have progressed beyond what Jim Dawson and Steve Propes wrote in "What Was The First Rock'n'Roll Record"? 

Among the 50 candidates listed chronologically and discussed in that book, "Rocket 88" is placed 24th and "Sh-Boom" is 38th. So, chronologically speaking, I'd tend to vote for "Good Rockin' Tonight" (placed 8th) in its hit version by Wynonie Harris. 

[Dub Modal]

6 hours ago, Big Beat Steve said:

Of course they were. 
The Crew Cuts' well-known version was the white cover version along the trends of the day. So whatever came later was a cover version too.
Even without listening to the clip, that Alton/Establishment version looks Jamaican, judging by the record label. So obviously much more recent.  But amusing to listen to. 

Ah, good to know. I've heard so many versions of this tune but never knew exactly who did it first. I think that Crew Cuts version was used in the movie Road House as well. 

And spot on that being a Jamaican cover. Alton Ellis is a legendary singer there and his covers of American doo wop and soul are always worth a listen. 

[Big Beat Steve]

I had done some checking on the web in the meantime, and it seems the Alton Ellis version was recorded in 1971. Quite a bit after the 1954 recording date for the version by the Chords.

I am not overly familiar with the Jamaican R&B history but have learnt a bit about the early sound system scene through various well-annotated R&B compilations. So the Coxson label name (as in Coxson Dodd) rang a bell.  

[JSngry]

The tenor solo on The Chords record is by Dam The Man Taylor. I don't have any other data available right now, but the rhythm section certainly is in a jazz pocket.

[medjuck]

2 hours ago, JSngry said:

The tenor solo on The Chords record is by Dam The Man Taylor. I don't have any other data available right now, but the rhythm section certainly is in a jazz pocket.

Just listening to Sam the Man on some cuts from Cootie Williams' band.  Didn't realize he had such an extensive jazz and R&B background before going to Hollywood. 

[JSngry]

The dude could play!