Various Artists – New Orleans Soul ’60’s Watch Records

Description

Release Date:  2000

Label:  Mardi Gras Records

Track List

1. Here You Come Again – The Crescents & The McMillan Sisters
2. Bald Head – Professor Longhair
3. Coppin’ A Plea – Raymond Lewis
4. All My Love Belongs To You – Tommy Ridgley
5. Big Chief (Complete Version) – Professor Longhair / Vocals: Earl King
6. Release Me – Johnny Adams
7. Love That Girl – Dell Stewart
8. Please Mr. Genie – Bennie Spellman
9. Third House From The Corner – Professor Longhair & The Clippers
10. I’m Waiting (To Give My Love To You) – Leona Buckles
11. I Want Some Money – Tommy Ridgley
12. You Made A New Man Out Of Me – Johnny Adams
13. Mr. Credit Man – Dell Stewart
14. Love Is The Thing – Raymond Lewis
15. There Is Something On Your Mind – Professor Longhair
16. Some Day – Johnny Adams
17. Didn’t I Tell You – Dell Stewart
18. Reconsider Me – Johnny Adams
19. Let My Lover Go – Dell Stewart
20. Part Of Me – Johnny Adams
21. Willie The Prince – Professor Longhair & The Clippers
22. Slow Down Baby – Benny Spellman
23. That’s All She Left Me – The Crescents
24. Someday They’ll Understand – Benny Spellman
25. Walk On Don’t Cry – Benny Spellman
26. I Believe I’ll Find Happiness – Johnny Adams

These are treasures from the vaults of Watch Records. Some were regional hits that were later covered by other artists, and others have through time become a part of the New Orleans lexicon, through Jazz Fest and related activities. Some of the artists are familiar, five cuts by Professor Longhair and six by the “Tan Canary” Johnny Adams, but most are not known outside of New Orleans, though they deserve much wider recognition. People such as Leona Buckles, Tommy Ridgley, and Dell Stewart show what the folks of New Orleans have known for years, this is a town with that deep-felt soul that is a hybrid mixing of the blues and gospel music, exposing the heart to view. It takes many forms, from the doo wop of the Crescents & the McMillian Sisters to the hybridization of African and Caribbean rhythms combined with the natural rhythms of the streets that is Professor Longhair’s trademark and with many ear-opening stops in between. Watch Records was a combination of the energies of Earl King and Wardell Quezergue recording many of their contemporaries such as Professor Longhair, Eddie Bo, and Tommy Ridgley doing what they do best. Listen to “I Want Some Money” by Tommy Ridgley and recognize the song that became a hit for Barrett Strong. The only thing to change about this most generous length disc is to give some of the lesser known people some more play time. To its credit, it for the most part stays away from the well-known songs and gives a look at some of the lesser-known gems that flowed from these artists. It is a good solid look at one of the strongest and most influential areas of New Orleans music.