Search - Tommy Ridgley :: 1949-1954

New Orleans R&B man

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 04/18/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"
Originally from Louisiana, Tommy Ridgely began singing with New Orleans R&B man Dave Bartholomew after he won a talent contest after getting out of the navy in the mid-40s. Imperial Records signed him to a contract in 1949, and between then and 1953 (when he went with Atlantic Records) he had a number of regional hits for the label. This CD collects, in order, all his recordings under his own leadership between 1949 and 1954.



The earliest sides are the best. Ridgley sang with a not very powerful alto voice, which fits well with the Barthlomew-led small-band accompaniment. His first record, SHREWSBURY BLUES/BOOGIE WOOGIE MAMA, was a big hit for him in the bayou country. Especially good are the up-tempo jump tunes (EARLEY DOWN BOOGIE [sic], COME HOME BABY) because the band members, particularly Red Tyler on tenor, get a chance to blow. My favorite track, though, is the slow ANYTHING FOR LOVE, from a Decca session, which has a way down-home feel to it and terrific tenor sax.



When he switched to Atlantic the music took on a stronger rock-and-roll make-up, with more emphasis on the rhythm section, especially guitar and drums. Ernest McLean plays booming electric guitar on NOBODY CARES, and it's an attention-getter for sure. Ridgley was never really able to achieve success beyond the Crescent City region, though he recorded and played frequently there almost up until his death in 1999. This is a good CD tracing more of the early New Orleans R&B scene through the works of Tommy Ridgley."