NEW ORLEANS BLUES/ Volume 3

NEW ORLEANS BLUES/ Volume 03

            Let's start with the very first recordings by Robert Parker (1930-2020), certainly the most well known artist of this batch. A saxophonist at first, Robert Parker gained fame thanks to his sole smash hit Barefootin' in 1966 that led to a favorite dance throughout the world and particularly in New Orleans. Parker recorded a lot after that but never got a real success again. Parker started as a saxophonist playing live and on many records in New Orleans by Huey Smith, Earl King, James Booker, Ernie K. Doe, Fats Domino et al...We have gathered his first recordings under his name whether instrumentals or early vocals.

            I know nothing about singer/guitarist George Stevenson who recorded a handful of fine tracks under the moniker Blazer Boy. If anyone knows better, it would be nice to share.

            Lil Millett (McKinley James Millett) (1935-97) was a singer, pianist and bassist who was strongly in demand in and around New Orleans during the 1950's. He led a very fine band with which he recorded very good singles, mainly Rich woman/ Hopeless love. He performed until the 1980's when his kind of R&B wasn't in favour anymore. He so made a living as a bus driver until his death by cancer.

            Al Johnson (born in 1939) is a singer and piano player and a very well known character in New Orleans for his song Carnival Time that even gave him a moniker. He appeared in many events, festivals, TV shows and even films. Here are his two early singles.

            Ramp Davis (George Davis) was a bass player who recorded four nice sides under his name in 1951.

            And Little Leo who closes this set (born 1935) is Lloyd Price's brother. He also recorded four good tracks in 1954.

            A lot of thanks to all who helped to make this post, particularly Gerard Cerdan (Mr Mightygroove) whose  websites  are a goldmine for Soul and R&B fans.

https://soul-in-groove.eklablog.com

                                       Gérard HERZHAFT

ROBERT PARKER, t-sax; Edgar Blanchard, g; Roy Montrell, g; bs; dms. New Orleans, La. 1958

01. June teen

02. Lawdy Miss Clawdy

Robert Parker, vcl/t-sax; Auguste Dupont, t-sax; Eddie Bo, pno; Edgar Blanchard, g; Frank Fields, bs; Charles Hungry Williams, dms. New Orleans, La. 1959

03. All nite long I & II

Robert Parker, vcl/t-sax; Auguste Dupont, t-sax; Eddie Bo, pno; Edgar Blanchard, g; Frank Fields, bs; Charles Hungry Williams, dms. New Orleans, La. 1960

04. Walkin'

05. Across the track

Robert Parker, vcl/t-sax; Auguste Dupont, t-sax; b-sax; Edward Frank,pno; Justin Adams, g; Frank Fields, bs; Smokey Johnson, dms. New Orleans, La. 4 april 1962

06. Mash potatoes all nite long

07. Twistin' out in space

GEORGE STEVENSON (as Blazer Boy), vcl; Clarence Ford, t-sax; Herb Hardesty, a-sax; Salvador Doucette, pno; Ernest Mc Lean, g; Frank Fields, bs; Earl Palmer, dms. New Orleans, La. june 1952

08. Surprise blues

09. Mornin' train

10. Waiting for my baby

11. Joe's kid sister

George Stevenson, vcl; a-sax; Lee Allen, t-sax; Huey Smith, pno; band. New Orleans, La. 19 january 1954

12. Meet me at Grandma's joint

13. Teasin' tan

George Stevenson, vcl; band. New Orleans, La. 19 november 1961

14. New Orleans twist

15. That's where it's at

LIL MILLET (Mc Kinley J. Miller), vcl/pno; Big Boy Myles, tb; Lee Allen, t-sax; Alvin "Red"Tyler, b-sax; Ernest Meyer, g; Frank Fields, bs; Earl Palmer, dms. New Orleans, La. 25 september 1955

16. Rich woman

17. Hopeless love

Lil Millet, vcl/pno; band. New Orleans, La. 1956

18. Rock around the clock

19. I can't stop cryin'

Someday mother

All around the world

Thanks to an anonymous friend, both of those titles are available when clickinghere (see comments)

RAMP DAVIS(George Davis), vcl/bs; Leroy Rankin, t-sax; Alex Burrell, pno; Lester Alexis, dms. New Orleans, La. 23 may 1951

20. The blues has got me

21. Bayou Bounce

22. Rampart Street blues

23. Mary Sue

ALVIN JOHNSON, vcl/pno; Robert Palmer, t-sax; James Rivers, t-sax; Red Tyler, b-sax; Edgar Blanchard, g; Placide Adams, bs; Walter Lastie, dms. New Orleans, La. june 1958

24. You done me wrong

25. Lena

Alvin Johnson, vcl; Dr John, pno; Robert Palmer, t-sax; James Rivers, t-sax; Red Tyler, b-sax; Edgar Blanchard, g; Placide Adams, bs; Walter Lastie, dms. New Orleans, La. february 1960

26. Carnival time

27. Who dat say?

LITTLE LEO(Leo Price), vcl; band. New Orleans, La. 1954

28. Handwriting on the wall

29. What's it all about?

30. I cried

31. Teenie weenie bee