Label: Bear Family Records
Release Date: 1992
Releases: June 27, 1994; September 5, 1994
Recording Time: 279 minutes
Recording Date: February 17, 1953 - October 13, 1964
Styles: Early R&B, Jump Blues
Four discs (104 tracks in all) that exhaustively document the Mercury, Roulette, and Old Town output of big-band veteran Buddy Johnson, whose eternally swinging outfit was seductively fronted by his sister Ella (along with several interchangeable male crooners). Buddy's band wasn't as big as it once was during his Mercury tenure (tenor saxman Purvis Henson was at the core of the blazing horn section), but the tightly arranged New York-style sizzle remained.
by Bill Dahl
"Buddy And Ella Johnson 1953-1964" is a 4CD LP-Sized Box Set first released in Germany in 1992 by the legendary Bear Family reissue label and offers up 104 songs covering their Mercury, Roulette and Old Town Records output.
60 of the songs make up the entirety of their 5 big albums from the period - "Rock 'N Roll" (1956), "Walkin'" (1957), "Buddy Johnson Wails" (1958), "Go Ahead & Rock Rock Rock" (1959) and "Swing Me" (1960) - while 26 more are non-album single sides (78's and 45's) - leaving the remaining 18 as previously unreleased. I've compiled a detailed LP Discography in the 'comment' section attached to this review referencing the tracks on the box set (and who sang lead on what etc).
Outside of that - Bear Family BCD 15479 breaks down as follows:
Disc 1, 26 Tracks, 75:22 minutes:
Four tracks are previously unreleased - "Bring It Up, Van Dyke" (9), "My Old Man" (10), "Shut Your Big Mouth (Girl)" (13) and "Mush Mouth" (14)
Disc 2, 27 Tracks, 71:54 minutes:
Two tracks are previously unreleased - "Someday" (2) and "Rock On (Alternate Take)" (26)
Disc 3, 24 Tracks, 65:08 minutes:
Four tracks are previously unreleased - "Far Cry" (21), "Lover Bird" (22), "No More" (23) and "Buddy's Tune" (24)
Disc 4, 27 Tracks, 67:33 minutes:
Eight tracks are previously unreleased - "Have Mercy On A Fool" (6), "Buddy's Song" (7), "Come Here, Lovely Dovey" (16), "Buddy's Rock" (18), "I'll Be Glad" (20), "Ever So Grateful" (22), "Don't Be Messin'" (24) and "I Gotta Talk To Somebody" (26)
The 20-page booklet has an overview written by Peter Grendysa whose superb work featured in the booklets of the two US Chess Box Sets "Blues" and "Rhythm & Roll". There's black and white studio photos, trade adverts, live shots of the band with Buddy, family portraits, each of the CD inlays features an album sleeve in colour and the very detailed discography is by Bear Family's owner Richard Weisz. The full page photo of Buddy and Ella with Alan Freed, Joe Turner and Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records is very tasty.
In 1953 South-Carolina born Buddy Johnson was 38 and a seasoned pro since the mid Thirties - Piano Player, Band Leader & Vocalist, his working Rhythm'n'Blues Orchestra reigned supreme over the Southern circuit of the time. Along with other various crooners in the group (Floyd Ryland, Ricky Harper, Gil Askey, Nolan Lewis and Lee Thomas - see Discography) the other ace in the pack was his 30-year old sister Ella Johnson who handled Lead Vocals on all of their big releases. Like a cross between Ruth Brown and Bessie Smith, she could imbibe a song with longing, sex, domestic abuse and heartache. In fact many of their albums followed a certain pattern - an Ella vocal first, then an Instrumental (usually featuring ace Saxophonist Purvis Henson), followed by a Nolan Lewis Vocal, then Buddy on Vocals, back to Ella - and so on. Their music rarely dipped into the Blues, but was instead rhythmic R'n'B with the horns to the fore - at times making it feel like a throwback to the Big Band period. The mix of smooth vocal tracks and danceable instrumentals made their albums a really varied listen - and as you rehear them now in 2010 - every fibre of your being is telling you that these are 'forgotten gems' that shouldn't be. It really is shockingly good stuff - and lyrically as witty and clever as anything the beloved Louis Jordan pumped out in the decade earlier.
Favourites include "Hittin' On Me", "That's How I Feel About You", "(Gotta Go) Upside Your Head", "I'm Just Your Fool" and the witty talking song "Rock On" (lyrics above). The previously unreleased material is far better than I had expected it to be - the Old Town outtakes "I Gotta Talk To Somebody" and "Don't Be Messin'" with Ella on Lead Vocals being particularly catchy - hits in any decade.
The box is long-deleted now and has acquired a crushing price tag - and in truth with subsequent releases (Ace Records of the UK have a 1996 CD with tracks not on here) - you can probably get the bulk of the tracks on 4 or 5 other CDs if you want. But this set is a very real reason as to why Bear Family is held in such affection and awe among collectors. It's wonderful music, features great sound quality and all of it is presented with genuine respect shown...
A beautifully chronicled box set about a Rhythm'n'Blues couple who deserved riches but ended up with a pittance. If you can go the cost, buy it - it's an absolute gem.
PS: Thanks to Keith Mowser of 'Aquascutum' London for a lend of the set.
by Mark Barry
Billboard Singles:
1956, Bring It Home To Me (R&B Singles #9)
1955, (Gotta Go) Upside Your Head (R&B Singles #13)
1955, It's Obdacious (The Billboard Hot 100 #94)
1956, Bring It Home To Me (R&B Singles #9)
1955, (Gotta Go) Upside Your Head (R&B Singles #13)
1955, It's Obdacious (The Billboard Hot 100 #94)
Credits: Gil Askey - composer, trumpet, vocals; Sil Austin - sax (tenor); Mickey Baker - guitar; Johnny Burdine - sax (tenor); Edward Burke - trombone; Guadalupe Cartiero - composer; George Cooper - trombone; Bill Crump - sax (baritone); Ted Daffan - composer; Hank Davis - illustrations, liner notes, photography; Walter DeVenne - illustrations, photography; Colin Escott - illustrations, photography; Panama Francis - drums; Slide Hampton - composer, trombone; Ricky Harper - trumpet, vocals; Haywood Henry - sax (baritone); Purvis Henson - choir/chorus, sax (tenor), vocals; Gordon Jenkins - composer; Buddy Johnson - composer, Leader, Piano, Primary Artist, Trumpet, Vocals; Ella Johnson - Performer, Primary Artist, Vocals; Maxwell Lucas - Sax (Baritone); Moms Mabley - composer; Jolianne McCarthy - Composer; Geezil Minerve - sax (alto); Willis Nelson - trumpet; Hoffmann Nienburg - artwork; Raymond Orr - trumpet; Public Domain - composer; Steve Pulliam - choir/chorus, vocals; Hal Rasheed - trombone; Wallace Richardson - guitar; Frank Robinson - trumpet; Emmanuel Simms - drums; Maurice Simon - sax (tenor); Teddy Small - sax (alto); Leon Spann - bass; George Stubbs - piano; Sam "The Man" Taylor - sax (tenor); George "Fathead" Thomas - composer; Lee Thomas - vocals; David Van Dyke - sax (tenor); Ned Washington - composer; Julius Watson - choir/chorus, vocals; Mayme Watts - composer; Richard Weize - discography, reissue producer; Chauncey Westbrook - guitar; Courtney Williams - composer, trumpet; Andrew Wood - trumpet; Sidney Wyche - composer.
Tracks, Disc 1: 1) That's How I Feel About You; 2) Ecstasy; 3) Hittin' on Me; 4) Jit Jit [Instrumental]; 5) I'm Just Your Fool; 6) A-12 [Instrumental]; 7) I Never Had It So Good; 8) Ain'tcha Got Me (Where You Want Me); 9) Bring It Up, Van Dyke [#][Instrumental]; 10) My Old Man [#]; 11) One More Time; 12) Let's Start All Over Again (Down on Bended Knee); 13) Shut Your Big Mouth (Girl) [#]; 14) Mush Mouth [#][Instrumental]; 15) Much Mouth [Instrumental]; 16) Any Day Now; 17) A Pretty Girl (A Cadillac and Some Money); 18) Ain't But One; 19) There's No One Like You; 20) Thinking It Over; 21) If You'd Say Yes; 22) It Used to Hurt Me; 23) Well, Do It; 24) Bitter Sweet; 25) Crazy 'Bout a Saxophone; 26) Send Out for a Bucket of Beer.
Tracks, Disc 2: 1) (Gotta Go) Upside Your Head; 2) Someday [#]; 3) Someday; 4) Alright, Okay, You Win; 5) If You Would Only Say You're Sorry; 6) It's 'Bout to Break My Heart in Two; 7) It's Obdacious; 8) Save Your Love for Me; 9) So Good; 10) Gone Walkin' [Instrumental]; 11) Doot Doot Now [Instrumental]; 12) I Don't Want Nobody (To Have My Love But You); 13) You Got It Made; 14) Bring It Home to Me; 15) Buddy's Boogie [Instrumental]; 16) Why Don'tcha Stop It; 17) I'll Dearly Love You; 18) Kool Kitty [Instrumental]; 19) What a Day; 20) Goodbye/Baby Here I Go; 21) That's What You Gotta Do; 22) I Still Love You; 23) Oh! Baby, Don't You Know; 24) You'd Better Believe Me; 25) You're Everything My Heart Desires; 26) Rock On [#]; 27) Rock On.
Tracks, Disc 3: 1) Rockin' Time; 2) They Don't Want Me to Rock No More; 3) I've Surrendered; 4) Slide's Mambo [Instrumental]; 5) You're the One for Me; 6) Don't Shout at Me, Daddy; 7) No! I Ain't Gonna Let You Go; 8) Don't Turn Your Back on Me; 9) They All Say I'm the Biggest Fool; 10) I Cry; 11) Baby Don't You Cry; 12) Goodbye Baby Here I Go; 13) I Don't Care Who Knows; 14) You'll Get Them Blues; 15) Stop Pretending (So Hip You See); 16) Please Mister Johnson; 17) Since I Fell for You; 18) (I Wonder) Where Our Love Has Gone; 19) Lil' Dog [Instrumental]; 20) Minglin' [Instrumental]; 21) Far Cry [#][Instrumental]; 22) Lover Bird [#]; 23) No More [#]; 24) Buddy's Tune [#].
Tracks, Disc 4: 1) Don't Fail Me Baby; 2) Small Taste [Instrumental]; 3) Baby Hear My Humble Plea; 4) Tuke Number One [Instrumental]; 5) Going to New York [Instrumental]; 6) Have Mercy on a Fool [#]; 7) Buddy's Song [#]; 8) Real Fine Frame; 9) Walk 'Em; 10) I'm Tired of Crying over You; 11) You Better Change Your Ways; 12) Down Yonder [Instrumental]; 13) Go Ahead and Rock [Instrumental]; 14) Get Down on the Road; 15) Sliding Horns [Instrumental]; 16) Come Here, Lovely Dovey [#]; 17) Keeping My Love for You; 18) Buddy's Rock [#]; 19) A Woman, a Lover, a Friend; 20) I'll Be Glad [#]; 21) (Ha! Ha! Baby) The Last Laugh's on You; 22) Ever So Grateful [#]; 23) Good-Time Man; 24) Don't Be Messin' With My Man [#]; 25) Like You Do; 26) I Got to Talk to Somebody [#]; 27) Keep on Loving You.
Tracks, Disc 2: 1) (Gotta Go) Upside Your Head; 2) Someday [#]; 3) Someday; 4) Alright, Okay, You Win; 5) If You Would Only Say You're Sorry; 6) It's 'Bout to Break My Heart in Two; 7) It's Obdacious; 8) Save Your Love for Me; 9) So Good; 10) Gone Walkin' [Instrumental]; 11) Doot Doot Now [Instrumental]; 12) I Don't Want Nobody (To Have My Love But You); 13) You Got It Made; 14) Bring It Home to Me; 15) Buddy's Boogie [Instrumental]; 16) Why Don'tcha Stop It; 17) I'll Dearly Love You; 18) Kool Kitty [Instrumental]; 19) What a Day; 20) Goodbye/Baby Here I Go; 21) That's What You Gotta Do; 22) I Still Love You; 23) Oh! Baby, Don't You Know; 24) You'd Better Believe Me; 25) You're Everything My Heart Desires; 26) Rock On [#]; 27) Rock On.
Tracks, Disc 3: 1) Rockin' Time; 2) They Don't Want Me to Rock No More; 3) I've Surrendered; 4) Slide's Mambo [Instrumental]; 5) You're the One for Me; 6) Don't Shout at Me, Daddy; 7) No! I Ain't Gonna Let You Go; 8) Don't Turn Your Back on Me; 9) They All Say I'm the Biggest Fool; 10) I Cry; 11) Baby Don't You Cry; 12) Goodbye Baby Here I Go; 13) I Don't Care Who Knows; 14) You'll Get Them Blues; 15) Stop Pretending (So Hip You See); 16) Please Mister Johnson; 17) Since I Fell for You; 18) (I Wonder) Where Our Love Has Gone; 19) Lil' Dog [Instrumental]; 20) Minglin' [Instrumental]; 21) Far Cry [#][Instrumental]; 22) Lover Bird [#]; 23) No More [#]; 24) Buddy's Tune [#].
Tracks, Disc 4: 1) Don't Fail Me Baby; 2) Small Taste [Instrumental]; 3) Baby Hear My Humble Plea; 4) Tuke Number One [Instrumental]; 5) Going to New York [Instrumental]; 6) Have Mercy on a Fool [#]; 7) Buddy's Song [#]; 8) Real Fine Frame; 9) Walk 'Em; 10) I'm Tired of Crying over You; 11) You Better Change Your Ways; 12) Down Yonder [Instrumental]; 13) Go Ahead and Rock [Instrumental]; 14) Get Down on the Road; 15) Sliding Horns [Instrumental]; 16) Come Here, Lovely Dovey [#]; 17) Keeping My Love for You; 18) Buddy's Rock [#]; 19) A Woman, a Lover, a Friend; 20) I'll Be Glad [#]; 21) (Ha! Ha! Baby) The Last Laugh's on You; 22) Ever So Grateful [#]; 23) Good-Time Man; 24) Don't Be Messin' With My Man [#]; 25) Like You Do; 26) I Got to Talk to Somebody [#]; 27) Keep on Loving You.