Search - Jessie Hill :: Ooh Poo Pah Doo: Golden Classics

Almost A One-Hit Wonder

08/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another reviewer sums up Jessie Hill's career pretty good. All I can add is that Collectables did not continue their usual pattern of leaving off one hit, which they seem to do in their compilations of artists with but a handful of hits. Perhaps because Hill only HAD two charters.



Ooh Poo Pah Doo Part II was, of course, the best for this singer/pianist/ drummer, going to # 3 R&B and # 28 Billboard Hot 100 in summer 1960 b/w the instrumental version (Part I). What led to the appeal of the vocal side were the call-and-response effects enshrined by the late, great Ray Charles. However, in spite of having the acknowledged talent of Alain Toussaint on production, all he could ever achieve after that for the Minit label was a # 91 Hot 100 that same year with Whip It On Me [b/w I Need Your Love]. Strange, because that WAS a catchy tune, as were several others recorded there.



Having started out with Huey "Piano" Smith & The Clowns [where Bobby Marchan was the lead singer], and remaining there until 1958, Hill then left New Orleans for California when his hits at Minit dried up. There he teamed up with several others who had also departed The Big Easy, including Dr. John, on several singles [unsuccessful] as well as an LP for Blue Thumb in 1970.



Seems to me he deserved better."