MUSIC FROM YESTERDAY

From the excellent Jeff Harris' blog Behind The Grooves

Always loved that Nawleans sound and this is where it began while later discoveries like Archibald and Fess and the good Doctor (John that is) came later to mine eardrobes . . . . 

On this day in music history: May 22, 1961 - “Mother-In-Law” by Ernie K. Doe hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week, also topping the R&B singles chart for 5 weeks on April 24, 1961. Written and produced by Allen Toussaint, it is the biggest hit for the New Orleans born and raised singer. Doe (real name Ernest Kador, Jr.) actually rescues the song from the trash after Toussaint throws it away, feeling that it isn’t any good. The song is especially relatable to the singer since he is having problems with his own mother in law at the time. “Mother-In-Law” features fellow New Orleans R&B singer Benny Spellman (“Fortune Teller”, “Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette)”) singing the deep bass vocals on the track, and Allen Toussaint playing piano. Entering the Hot 100 at #55 on March 27, 1961, it climbs to the top of the chart eight weeks later. “Mother-In-Law” is Ernie K. Doe’s only major hit, only scoring one more chart entry with “Popeye Joe” (#99 Pop) in January of 1962.

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On this day in music history: May 21, 1955 - “Maybellene”, the debut single by Chuck Berry is recorded. Cut at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago, IL, Berry bases the tune on the traditional country song “Ida Red”. Chess Records co-founder Leonard Chess feels the name is “too rural” sounding and suggests changing the title to “Maybellene”. The songs then unusual hybrid of country & western and rhythm & blues supported by a big back beat along with its lyrical themes of fast cars and love gone wrong, is instantly appealing to black and white audiences alike. Released in July, the single is a huge hit right out of the gate, spending eleven weeks at number one on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart and peaking at number five on the Pop Best Sellers chart. “Maybellene” goes on to become one of the most influential songs in the history of rock & roll, inspiring dozens of cover versions. Chuck Berry’s original recording of “Maybellene” is inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 1988.

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On this day in music history: May 21, 1964 - “Under The Boardwalk” by The Drifters is recorded. Written by Kenny Young and Arthur Resnick, the song is written as a sequel to the groups’ hit “Up On The Roof” (#5 Pop, #4 R&B in February 1963) making reference to the previous song in its lyrics. Rudy Lewis, The Drifters lead singer at the time dies unexpectedly the night before the recording session (of a drug overdose) in his Harlem hotel room. Instead of rescheduling the session, producer Bert Berns has group member Johnny Moore handle lead vocals on the song. Released by Atlantic Records as a single in June, the song becomes an instant classic, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 22, 1964, selling over a million copies. Also noteworthy about the song are that the original mono 45 and stereo LP versions of Under The Boardwalk contain alternate vocal performances. The 45 version contains the vocal refrain “we’ll be falling in love, under the boardwalk” in the choruses. While the stereo LP version also contains the line “we’ll be making love, under the boardwalk”. “Under The Boardwalk” is also the last major hit for the pioneering R&B vocal group. 

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On this day in music history: May 21, 1966 - “If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears”, the debut album by The Mamas & The Papas hits #1 on the Billboard Top 200 for 1 week. Produced by Lou Adler, it is recorded at United/Western Recorders in Hollywood, CA in Late 1965 - Early 1966. The first album by the pop vocal group contains a mixture of original songs written by group members John & Michelle Phillips and Denny Doherty as well as covers of The Beatles’ “I Call Your Name”, Bobby Freeman’s “Do You Wanna Dance”, Ben E. King’s “Spanish Harlem”, and Dobie Gray’s “The "In” Crowd". The album cover features a shot of the group taken by photographer Guy Webster (The Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel), sitting in a bathtub with a toilet situated to the right. Shortly after its release, copies of the album with this cover are pulled from record stores, being deemed as indecent. The reprinted LP jackets feature the same shot with a white scroll covering the toilet, listing the inclusion of the song “California Dreamin’”. In addition, a third version of the album cover is printed with the photo cropped showing only the group members faces. The original cover becomes sought after collectors item years later. The original artwork for the album is restored on a 2010 vinyl LP reissue and limited edition CD in 2011(by Sundazed Records) which features the first release of the original (and superior) mono mix since going out of print in 1968. The album spins off three singles including “Go Where You Wanna Go”, “California Dreamin’” (#4 Pop) and, “Monday, Monday” (#1 Pop). “If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

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On this day in music history: May 21, 1977 - “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 3 weeks, also topping the R&B singles chart for 1 week on May 28, 1977. Written and produced by Stevie Wonder, it is fifth pop and thirteenth R&B chart topper for the twenty two time Grammy award winning singer, songwriter and musician. The song is written in tribute to legendary composer, arranger and bandleader Duke Ellington. Having been an influence on Wonder as a musician, he feels compelled to acknowledge Ellington who had passed away in May of 1974 at the age of 75. Stevie also name checks many other important jazz and swing music pioneers in the song including Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. The track features Wonder (keyboards) with members of his band Wonderlove including Nathan Watts (bass), Michael Sembello and Ben Bridges (lead and rhythm guitars), Hank Redd (alto sax), Trevor Laurence (tenor sax), Raymond Maldonado, Steve Madaio (trumpets) and Raymond Pounds (drums). Issued as the second single from the landmark “Songs In The Key of Life” album on March 22, 1977, “Sir Duke” follows its predecessor “I Wish” to the top of the pop and R&B singles charts. Entering the Hot 100 at #74 on April 2, 1977, it  climbs to the top of the chart seven weeks later. The success of “Sir Duke” propels “Songs In The Key Of Life” to 10x Platinum status in the US.

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