Release Date: 11 March 2022
Label: Jasmine Records
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 604988321623
Description
The Todd Rhodes Orchestra were a popular band in the Detroit area throughout the late 1940s and early 1950s, which included several musicians that would become associated on sessions with the early Tamla/Motown organisation. Singer Kitty Stevenson was the mother of Motown's first A&R head, William "Mickey" Stevenson.
All four quantifiable hits in their heyday have been included: "Blues For The Red Boy" (#4 on the Billboard Race Records (R&B) chart in 1948) "Pot Likker" (#3 on the Billboard Race Records (R&B) chart in 1949) "Page Boy Shuffle" (#7 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1949) "Lovin' Machine" (#5 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1952)
Largely an instrumental outfit of seasoned jazz and blues players, this set has been compiled to spotlight the great singers who recorded with the band, from the well-known Lavern Baker, Wynonie Harris, Dave Bartholomew and Lonnie Johnson to the more obscure Louie Saunders, Pinocchio James, Emmitt Slay and Connie Allen; the latter infamous for the risqué "Rocket 69", while Wynonie suggests "Keep On Churnin' ('Til The Butter Comes)" and his final hit, "Lovin' Machine".
A handful of important instrumentals have been included including the opener "Blues For The Red Boy" which was retitled "Blues For Moondog" and used as an early theme to introduce the radio broadcasts of the legendary Alan Freed. Also included to end the selection is the superb "Page Boy Shuffle" which was reissued in 1949 when acquired by King Records who mistakenly credited the track to Joe Thomas. It hit the R&B chart that year with the wrong credit and continues to be misattributed, including the decades of being a sound-system hit in Jamaica!
Tracklisting
Tommy Hunt
Kay Barry / Maureen Evans
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
Johnnie Ray
Eddie Cochran
Various Artists
Billie Holiday
Charlie Applewhite
Parchman Prison Prayer
Shawn Pittman
Little Walter
Jimmie Vaughan
Jimmie Vaughan
Various Artists
Memphis Minnie
Marcus Trummer
