Count Basie: He Plays Bass in the Basie Band
In this clip Count Basie gives a rousing rendition with his orchestra of the song He Plays Bass in the Basie Band in 1955.
MORE ...Tex Ritter: Jealous Heart
In this short clip from Town Hall Party in 1959 virtuoso guitar player Joe Maphis backs up Tex Ritter as he sings his 1945 hit Jealous Heart. Tex Ritter, a singing cowboy of the calibre of Gene Autry, is most known as the balladeer who sings the intro music to the classic film High Noon. […]
MORE ...Bob Wills: Good Old Oklahoma
In this clip, from the B Western “Take Me Back to Oklahoma,” Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys croon in perfect harmony ‘Oklahoma we love you’ in an upbeat version of “Good Old Oklahoma” with Wills’ signature backup calls. Riding with Tex Ritter, they sing together ‘Calamity Kate.’ But, clearly, the King of Western Swing […]
MORE ...Who’s Yehoodi?
An amusing soundie from 1942, Who’s Yehoodi?, was originally composed in 1940 by Bill Seckler and Matt Dennis. Based on a running gag by radio comedian Jerry Colona, this rendition of Who’s Yehoodi? is quite risque for its day. Who’s Yehoodi?
MORE ...The Three Suns: Beyond the Blue Horizon
On the other side of the musical spectrum, here is the organ-accordion-guitar combo The Three Suns. Composed of Al & Marty Nevins on guitar & accordion and Artie Dunn on organ, this hot trio were one of the big ‘exotica’ acts of the mid-1940’s. Later, Al Nevins would go on to be one of the […]
MORE ...Joe Maphis: Dim Lights, Thick Smoke
Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (and LOUD, LOUD music) performed by Joe Maphis & wife Rose Lee, LIVE in 1959. Maphis. known for the flatpicking style he developed in the 1930’s, sings magnificent harmony with wife Rose in this 1950’s crowd-pleaser.
MORE ...The Hut Sut Song
Hut-Sut Rawlson on the rillerah add a little brawla, brawla too it, Hut-Sut Rawlson on the rillerah add a little brawla sooit. Hut-Sut Rawlson on the rillerah add a little brawla, brawla too it, Hut-Sut Rawlson on the rillerah add a little brawla sooit. WARNING: This absurd, cartoonish, and thoroughly ridiculous soundie will brand itself […]
MORE ...Amos Milburn: Bad Bad Whiskey
Originally from Texas, Amos Milburn moved to Los Angeles and soon became a fixture in the Central Avenue music scenes thriving in Watts during the 1940’s and 1950’s. As you can hear from his piano style, Milburn would be a great influence on Fats Domino. He wrote many hits during his day, and was also […]
MORE ...Mills Brothers: I Ain’t Got Nobody
An authentic, rare classic version of the standard “I Ain’t Got Nobody,” sung by the Mills Brothers, shot in the early 1930’s.
MORE ...Louis Jordan: Hold On
Louis Jordan performs Hold On, a plea to persist even against the largest obstacles, to keep on keeping on.
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