Search - Johnny Otis :: R&B Caravan, Vol. 2 1950-1952

Godfather Of R&B Indeed

09/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The sub-title of this 2nd of a two-volume series calls Johnny Otis "the godfather of Rhythm & Blues" and no truer words were spoken. Born John Veliotes on December 28, 1921 in Vallejo, California, his famous orchestra over the years included such R&B stalwarts as Charles Brown, Mel Walker, Little Esther Phillips, Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, The Robins, Lee Graves, Linda Hopkins, The Dominoes, Redd Lyte and a host of others.



From 1948 to 1969 he accounted for 18 R&B hits under his own billing, and also appeared on many other such hits by other featured artists, including a few where he had to disguise his presence to avoid contract hassles. One example of that is in this volume with Hound Dog by Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton who took it to # 1 R&B (where it stayed for SEVEN weeks) in spring 1953 for the Peacock label b/w Night Mare. The backing band on both sides was billed as Kansas City Bill, but that was really Johnny and some of his band. A few years later in 1956 someone named Elvis Presley would cover Hound Dog and bring it back to # 1 R&B for SIX weeks and also to # 1 Billboard Pop Hot 100 for ELEVEN weeks AND # 1 Country for TEN weeks. In 1994 Johnny's work and influence was recognized through his induction into the R&R Hall Of Fame, and in 2000 into the Blues Hall Of Fame.



Since the track listing above doesn't reflect the featured vocalists I have provided them here for your information: 1) (instr); 2) Little Esther & Mel Walker; 3) Redd Lyte; 4) Little Esther; 5) Little Esther, Lee Graves & Mel Walker; 6) Mel Walker; 7) Marylyn Scott; 8) Marylyn Scott; 9) Mel Walker; 10) Linda Hopkins; 11) (instr); 12) Little Esther & The Dominoes; 13) George Washington; 14) Mel Walker; 15) Johnny Otis; 16) The Group; 17) Little Esther & Mel Walker; 18) Little Esther & Mel Walker; 19) Little Esther; 20) Big Mama Thornton; 21) Big Mama Thornton ; 22) Mel Walker.



The sound reproduction is excellent and with the insert are four pages of background notes in French by Jean Buzelin, translated into English by Joyce Waterhouse, and a discography of the contents showing musicians/vocalists involved with each track. Five of his R&B hits are included here: Deceivin' Blues (# 4 in September 1950); Wedding Boogie (# 6 in November 1950); Rockin' Blues (# 2 in January 1951); Mambo Boogie (# 4 in March/April 1951); and All Nite Long (# 6 in July 1951).



A significant page out of the history of R&B and not to be missed."