Hee Haw Breakdown, Nolan Cormier & The L.A. Aces (1971)From Lousiana Cajun Music Special, Swallow Records 1988: “Cut in 1971 at the first recording session of Swallow’s last recording studio, this Cajun ditty became an instant hit regionally, and then skipped over the Atlantic to become a popular Cajun hit in England as well.”
Stack O’ Lee Blues,Mississippi John Hurt (1928)The song was published in 1911 and first recorded in 1923 by Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians, but the origin predates both, as a song called Stack-A-Lee was mentioned in in the Kansas City Leavenworth Herald, in 1897 as being performed by “Prof. Charlie Lee, the piano thumper.”
The St. Louis Globe-Democrat, 28 December 1895 Shot in Curtis’s Place
William Lyons, 25, a levee hand, was shot in the abdomen yesterday evening at 10 o’clock in the saloon of Bill Curtis, at Eleventh and Morgan Streets, by Lee Sheldon, a carriage driver. Lyons and Sheldon were friends and were talking together. Both parties, it seems, had been drinking and were feeling in exuberant spirits. The discussion drifted to politics, and an argument was started, the conclusion of which was that Lyons snatched Sheldon’s hat from his head. The latter indignantly demanded its return. Lyons refused, and Sheldon withdrew his revolver and shot Lyons in the abdomen. When his victim fell to the floor Sheldon took his hat from the hand of the wounded man and coolly walked away. He was subsequently arrested and locked up at the Chestnut Street Station. Lyons was taken to the Dispensary, where his wounds were pronounced serious. Lee Sheldon is also known as ‘Stag’ Lee.
Too Experienced, The Bodysnatchers (1980) 2-Tone RecordsThe Bodysnatchers, an all-female rock steady group from the UK, had potential. This cover of the song written by Keith Anderson (aka Bob Andy) appeared on the B-side of their second single, fulfilling their contract with 2-Tone Records. The company folded soon after and The Bodysnatchers played their last gig in October of 1980, but morphed into The Belle Stars and signed on with Stiff Records.
Stop Overlooking Me, The Cairos (1966)Founded in 1964, folded in 1967, Shrine Records is considered the rarest of the soul labels. “Miss Ray, Barry Gordy‘s second wife, started Shrine Records with her new hubby after both bounced from Motown. Shrine (located in D.C.) issued the peppy “Stop Overlooking Me” b/w “Don’t Fight It” in 1966; it flopped just like the other 18 singles bearing the Shrine logo.”
The Last Meal, Hurricane Harry (1956)A singer, pianist and songwriter, Hurricane Harry (aka Earl Burrows, Early S. Burrows, George Stone ,T.T. Tyler, and stage name Jack Hammer) was born Earl Solomon Burroughs (1925-2016). He co-wrote Great Balls of Fire.
Marie, The Four Tunes (1953)The Four Tunes originated from The Brown Dots, a quartet started in New York City by Ivory “Deek” Watson after he split from the Ink Spots in late 1944. Marie was written by Irving Berlin and first recorded by Nat Shilkret & the RCA Victor Orchestra (as The Troubadors) in 1928.
Turn Your Head, Little Darlin’, Red Ingle & His Orchestra (1950)Ernest Janson”Red” Ingle was an American musician, singer and songwriter, arranger, cartoonist, caricaturist, pilot, leather carver and saddle maker from Toledo Ohio. He is best known for his comedy records with Spike Jones and his own Natural Seven sides for Capitol.