Rocket To Nowhere, Webb Wilder (2005) All you need to know:
“Mississippi Musician Hall of Fame icon Webb Wilder pleases and shocks, soothes and rocks, and meets every un-expectation. Equally versed in two glorious worlds, Rock and Roll – with a strong side of Outlaw Country (Webb prefers the term “PROGRESSIVE Country”). He is a force on tour, and a tour de force. He is the Last of the Full Grown Men, as well as Roots Rock Royalty.”
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On, Big Maybelle Smith (1955) Mabel Smith began recording in 1947 when she was 23 years old, yet she’d been singing in various venues since she was a child. She was the first to record Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On, produced and arranged by a young Quincy Jones for Okeh Records, and predating Jerry Lee Lewis’ version by almost two years. (Lewis liked the song so much he stole it, then credited Big Mama Thornton.)
Mama Can I Go Out Tonight, Jo Ann Campbell (1959) Before you roll your eyes, Bo Diddley wrote that song – that’s him on guitar, with King Curtis on tenor sax and Jerome Green on the maracas. It was recorded for her 1959 album I’m Nobody’s Baby. Campbell had a promising career as a dancer when she transitioned to rock and roll. Promoted by Alan Freed (and appearing in his showcase movie Go Johnny Go!) she had a successful recording career, charting hits in the UK as well as the US.
Jungle, The Nite Cats (1962) No information about this group, but the song is suitable for Halloween ambient neighborhood music. The Nite Cats recorded this wonder on the CPM (Consolidated Music Publishing) Records label, and it appears in several “jungle rock” compilations. The flip side of the 45rpm is Skip School Flu.
[Top image: No idea what that’s all about but I like it. Might be a still shot from a Netflix series that I haven’t watched. Found here. h/t Charlene.]
Safe European Home, The Clash (1978) The song is about a trip to Jamaica gone wrong, hence the lyrics “I went to the place where every white face is an invitation to robbery.”
Singer Joe Strummer and guitarist Mick Jones were sent to Jamaica for two weeks in December 1977 to write songs for their upcoming second album. “We must’ve looked like a strange pair to the locals… I’m surprised we weren’t filleted and served on a plate of chips” noted Jones. “We went down to the docks and I think we only survived because they mistook us for sailors.”
Stormy Weather, The Spaniels (1958) Pookie Hudson & The Hudsonaires formed in 1952 at Roosevelt High School, Gary, Indiana. The following year they scored a top 10 hit with Baby It’s You. as the Spaniels. Two years later they recorded their classic Good Night Sweetheart, Goodnight and became one of the most successful R&B groups of their time.
Tacky Raccoons 