...to the Sublime

Another White Man Who Could Sing Like a Black Man

Long before he hit it big with "countrypolitan" hits such as "Behind Closed Doors," Charlie Rich made his way to Sun Records. It was 1957 and maybe Sam Phillips had already found his Great White Hope in Elvis Presley, but it's a mystery why Phillips couldn't make hits with the talented Rich. After a few years, the struggling Arkansas-born pianist and singer went on his way and in 1966 ended up in Memphis where he recorded one album on Hi Records with producer Willie Mitchell and many of the musicians who would end up backing Al Green's classic recordings there, including guitarist Teenie Hodges. This fantastic song is from those sessions. You can hear Rich's affinity for Ray Charles, who was one of his heroes. In fact, the horn riff near the end is taken right from Brother Ray's version of "Busted." After he hit it big, Rich's publicist pushed for a Rich 'n' Ray duet album, but the label wouldn't bite. Too damn bad. These stories are from a great article by Joe Hagan in the Oxford American's 2014 Southern Music issue. 

Download 04 Pass on By

 

A Diamond from the Dollar Bin

This cover caught my eye in the dollar bin. Turns out the "Penthouse" was the Nola Penthouse Studios on the 17th floor of the Steinway Building on W. 57th just off Broadway in New York City. The greatest names in jazz — Duke, Ella, Dizzy — recorded there. Ahmad Jamal was 28 when he recorded this album in February of 1959, accompanied by bassist Israel Crosby and the great New Orleans-born drummer Vernell Fournier, and a string section led by Joe Kennedy (and engineered by then-studio owner Tommy Nola). The studio has been a mainstay in New York, but the building was recently sold and the new owners are adding a 1,300-foot residential tower. The studio owners say they'll relocate, but I imagine nothing can re-create this place. I keep thinking of the parade of musicians who made their way up to the penthouse over 75 years, including Jamal, sitting down at the Steinway Grand to play this original composition.

Download 06 Seleritus

   

RIP, Phil Everly

I've written previously about how my older brothers exposed me to music going back to my youngest years. The music of the Everly Brothers is a classic example. Their first hits charted the year I was born. (You do the math.) And yet I know those songs through-and-through, thanks also to oldies radio. My absolute favorite is "Cathy's Clown," but I recently came across this gem from 1960, written by the Texan songwriter Sonny Curtis, who was a teenage friend of Buddy Holly. Phil Everly, left, died Friday in Burbank. He was 74.

Download 10 Walk Right Back

 

Happy New Year from The Sublime!

I should've sent this last night but I was, uh, indisposed. Anyway, this is "Corrido de Auld Lang Syne" by Little Bobby Rey (nee Reyes), an East L.A. sax player who recorded it in 1960. Thanks to all fans and readers of this here blog. Here's to a happy and healthy 2014! (Thanks to Rob Meurer for the image.)

Download 13 Corrido De Auld Lang Syne