SONG: I Put a Spell On You ARTIST: Screamin’ Jay Hawkins YEAR: 1956 Listen to it here: THE SONG: I Put a Spell on You was written by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins in 1956, and according to Hawkins, the original vision was for the song to be a refined ballad. However, the producer, Arnold Maxin, broughtContinue reading “Song 81 – I Put a Spell on You”
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Song 80 – Folsom Prison Blues
SONG: Folsom Prison Blues ARTIST: Johnny Cash YEAR: 1956 Listen to it here: THE SONG: Folsom Prison Blues was written by Johnny Cash in 1953 and not released until 1955. It was originally released on his debut studio album Johnny Cash With His Hot and Blue Guitar and a live recording from Folsom Prison itselfContinue reading “Song 80 – Folsom Prison Blues”
Song 79 – Take My Hand, Precious Lord
SONG: Take My Hand, Precious Lord ARTIST: Mahalia Jackson YEAR: 1956 Listen to it here: THE SONG: Take My Hand, Precious Lord is a gospel song written by the Reverend Thomas A. Dorsey, who is not the same person as Tommy Dorsey. Reverend Dorsey composed the melody by leaning heavily on the 1844 hymn tune,Continue reading “Song 79 – Take My Hand, Precious Lord”
Album 9 – The Atomic Mr Basie
ALBUM TITLE: The Atomic Mr Basie ARTIST NAME: Count Basie and His Orchestra YEAR OF RELEASE: 1958 Favourite Song: Holly: The Flight of the Foo Birds Kelly: The Flight of the Foo Birds ALBUM HISTORY: This album was originally called Basie, and was also known as E=MC2. It’s one of Basie’s most famous and criticallyContinue reading “Album 9 – The Atomic Mr Basie”
Song 78 – Ella
SONG: Ella ARTIST: José Alfredo Jiménez YEAR: 1956 Listen to it here: THE SONG: Ella was written by Jose Alfredo Jiminez in 1942 in the style of vals meijcano. He was 18 years old at the time and sang of a broken heart. It has been covered many times by prominent Latinx musicians. THE ARTIST:Continue reading “Song 78 – Ella”
Song 77 – Knoxville Girl
SONG: Knoxville Girl ARTIST: The Louvin Brothers YEAR: 1956 Listen to it here: THE SONG: Ah, good. It’s been months since we’ve talked about a good ol’ murder ballad. And that is exactly the genre under which Knoxville Girl falls. This song was derived from a 19th Century Irish ballad “The Wexford Girl”, which wasContinue reading “Song 77 – Knoxville Girl”
Song 76 – I Walk the Line
SONG: I Walk the Line ARTIST: Johnny Cash YEAR: 1956 Listen to it here: THE SONG: Walk the Line was written by Johnny Cash, recorded by him in April of 1956 and released in May of the same year. It sold over 2 million copies and was on the charts for over 43 weeks. CashContinue reading “Song 76 – I Walk the Line”
Song 75 – Honey Hush
SONG: Honey Hush ARTIST: The Johnny Burnette Trio YEAR: 1956 Listen to it here: THE SONG: Honey Hush is another Big Joe Turner original, which he recorded and released in 1953. His recording was a bit of a slapdash affair as his record company was worried that they were getting low on Big Joe TurnerContinue reading “Song 75 – Honey Hush”
Song 74 – Hound Dog
SONG: Hound Dog ARTIST: Elvis Presley YEAR: 1956 Listen to it here: THE SONG: Hound Dog was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1952 and originally written for blues singer Big Mama Thornton, who recorded it that same year. It proved to be a big hit for her, spending 14 weeks on theContinue reading “Song 74 – Hound Dog”
Song 73 – Blueberry Hill
SONG: Blueberry Hill ARTIST: Fats Domino YEAR: 1956 Listen to it here: THE SONG: Blueberry Hill was actually published way back in 1940, but didn’t become famous until this version we’re listening to today. The music was written by Vincent Rose, and the lyrics by Larry Stock and Al Lewis. It’s super weird, but theContinue reading “Song 73 – Blueberry Hill”
Holly & Kelly Music Review 