Humphrey Bogart and Douglas Kennedy in DARK PASSAGE (1947), colorized.
Beat Party Pt. 1, Ritchie and the Squires (1960)
There were a lot of groups called The Squires, this one had someone named Ritchie. Possibly from New Jersey, I dunno, but I do know that the flip side of this rare 45 is Beat Party Pt. 2.
Sloozy, G.E. Smith & The SNL Band (1992) Best known as the leader of the Saturday Night Live Band, G.E. Smith is one of those rare talents who never called attention to himself while at the same time being a ubiquitous guitarist, songwriter producer and band leader.
Rocking Pneumonia & the Boogie Woogie Flu Part 1 Huey ‘Piano’ Smith and The Clowns (1957) Rocking Pneumonia & the Boogie Woogie Flu Part 1 earned a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock & Roll; the flip side of the Ace Records 45rpm, RP & the BWF Part 2, did not.
In 1944 at the age of 15, Huey Smith began working in clubs around New Orleans and recording with partner Eddie Jones (later known as Guitar Slim). By 1955 he was a session musician, playing piano for Little Richard, Lloyd Price, Earl King and others. Smith’s mix of boogie woogie, blues and jazz piano styles became the sound of New Orleans.
I’d Much Rather Be With The Girls, Donna Lynn (1965)Little info can be found about Canadian pop singer and occasional Broadway actress, Donna Lynn (Albano?). She recorded several novelty songs in the 1960s while still in her teens and had a minor hit with My Boyfriend Got A Beatle Haircut, recorded in 1964, just weeks before Beatlemania erupted.
She Drives Me Out Of My Mind, The Swingin’ Medallions (1966) The Medallions formed in 1962 in South Carolina, and became Swingin’ in 1965 when they recorded their hit Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love).
Ooh Poo Pah Doo, Taj Mahal (1996) Cover of Jesse Hill’s 1960 classic. It was originally performed by a New Orleans pianist known only as “Big Four”. Reportedly Hill wrote down the melody and lyrics while hearing it live and began performing it with his own band.
T-Model Boogie, Rosco Gordon (1951)
Rosco Gordon had a long career with several major hits including Booted (1952), No More Doggin‘ (1952), and Just a Little Bit (1960). His simplified boogie-woogie piano style emphasized the back beat, and was the inspiration for ska, the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Like many other artists of the time, he was cheated out of a lot of royalties.
Lobster Pot Provincetown, oil, Robert Abele III 2017.
Big Ugly Wheels, The Beat Farmers (1990)The Beat Farmers (1983–1995) were a great band from San Diego, California (best experienced live) and featured the late Country Dick Montana. According to their website, they’ve since reformed re-formed with a new lineup.
Tacky Raccoons 