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Johnny Otis spent the year 1950 leading large and small bands from behind his scintillating vibraphone, almost always backing delightful vocalists. The Otis lineup was perpetually impressive: Little Esther Phillips, Mel Walker, Redd Lyte, Lee Graves, and naturally the Robins. Otis is also believed to have been one of three singers billed as the Beltones, crooning behind Phillips on "Just Can't Get Free." This batch of reissues is a delightful grab bag of Afro-American recorded entertainment. Anyone searching for those often-cited "roots of rock" should listen in on wild guitarist Pete Lewis during "I'm Living O.K." Irresistible honey-and-ginger-voiced Little Esther is particularly well represented here, either carrying a song by herself or teamed up with Mel Walker. On "Cupid's Boogie" these two find themselves sliding uneasily toward matrimony. An inevitable sequel, "Wedding Boogie," is the definitive Johnny Otis situation comedy routine, adding full-throated Lee Graves as a tippling jackleg preacher who flirts with the bride. "Freight Train Boogie," this compilation's only instrumental, is a masterpiece of topical rhythm, rock, and roll, featuring once again the twangy electric guitar of Pete Lewis and some smoking manipulations on the vibes by Johnny Otis. ~ arwulf arwulf
During the period covered by this CD, Johnny Otis and His Orchestra was at its most commercially successful, hitting a rich seam of material that provided an unbroken string of Top Ten Billboard R&B hits throughout 1950: "Misery" (#9), "Deceivin' Blues"
Recording information: Baltimore, MD (02/13/1950-10/19/1950); Chicago, IL (02/13/1950-10/19/1950); Los Angeles, CA (02/13/1950-10/19/1950); New York, NY (02/13/1950-10/19/1950).
Director: Johnny Otis.
Unknown Contributor Role: Preacher Lee Graves.
Personnel: Johnny Otis (vibraphone, drums); Preacher Lee Graves (vocals, trombone); Little Esther, Redd Lyte, Reverend David Robinson , Mel Walker (vocals); Pete "Guitar" Lewis (guitar); James Van Streeter, Lorenzo Holden (tenor saxophone); Hosea Sapp (trumpet); George Washington (trombone); Devonia Williams (piano); Leard Bell (drums).
Liner Note Author: Dave Penny.
1950 Review
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