Johnny Otis

Widely regarded as “The Grandfather of R&B”, Johnny Otis also had a significant hand in shaping early rock & roll music. During the 1950s he was involved in practically every single facet of the music business: singer, pianist, drummer, bandleader, songwriter, arranger, producer, booking agent, tour promoter, road manager, record label operator, publisher, disc jockey, and television personality. This quintessential release collects 30 classic tracks from his most inspired years. It serves as the best introduction for anyone wanting to explore the finest moments of Otis’ discography as a leader, gathering a variety of the sensational sides he recorded for Capitol Records and his Dig label between 1957 and 1959. These seminal recordings feature a virtual who’s who of fabulous musicians, such as the impressive guitar master Jimmy Nolan, bassist Curtis Counce, pianist Ernie Freeman, drummer Earl Palmer, and a tight horn section (along with the vocal group The Jayos, and female singers Marie Adams and Marci Lee), among others. One of the many hits included here is “Willie and the Hand Jive”, which remains Johnny Otis’ most enduring contribution to rock & roll history.

PERSONNEL:

JOHNNY OTIS, vocals and piano, plus:
Jimmy Nolan (guitar), Curtis Counce or Johnny Parker (bass), Ernie Freeman (piano),
Earl Palmer or “Kansas City” Bell (drums), Jack Kelso (alto, tenor and baritone saxophone),
Freddie Harmon (baritone saxophone), Don Johnson and Paul Lopez (trumpet), George Washington (trombone),
The Jayos: Jesse Belvin, Mel Williams, Richard Berry, Arthur Lee Maye and Johnny Otis (vocal group on tracks 13, 22 & 29),
Mel Williams (male vocals on track 11 & 20), Marie Adams (female vocals on tracks 25, 27 & 30),
Marci Lee (female vocals on tracks 1 & 8).

Recorded in Hollywood, California, between 1957 and 1959.

16-PAGE BOOKLET - RARE PHOTOS- VINTAGE MEMORABILIA - DETAILED LINER NOTES

01. TELEPHONE BABY (with Marci Lee) 2:13
02. LONG TALL SALLY 1:54
03. CAN’T YOU HEAR ME CALLING 2:31
04. HUM-DING-A-LING 2:38
05. WILLIE AND THE HAND JIVE 2:37
06. HEY BABY, DON’T YOU KNOW 2:30
07. GOOD GOLLY 1:54
08. CASTIN’ MY SPELL (with Marci Lee) 2:12
09. HEY! HEY! HEY! HEY! 2:57
10. THREE GIRLS NAMED MOLLY 2:35
11. LITTLE ANGEL (with Mel Williams) 2:21
12. WILLIE DID THE CHA CHA 2:40
13. SEXY WAYS (with The Jayos) 2:18
14. CRAZY COUNTRY HOP 2:44
15. PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME 2:28
16. VOODOO WOMAN 2:37
17. RING A LING 1:56
18. THE MIDNIGHT CREEPER (PART 1) 2:56
19. BABY, JUST YOU 2:21
20. WELL, WELL, WELL (with Mel Williams) 2:18
21. COLD TURKEY 2:14
22. HONEY LOVE (with The Jayos) 2:24
23. LIVIN’ IN MISERY 2:38
24. I’M WITH YOU 2:28
25. LOOP DE LOOP (with Marie Adams) 2:06
26. THE MIDNIGHT CREEPER (PART 2) 2:36
27. MA (HE’S MAKIN’ EYES AT ME) (with Marie Adams) 2:28
28. LET THE SUN SHINE IN MY LIFE 2:25
29. GEE (with The Jayos) 2:01
30. BYE BYE BABY (with Marie Adams) 2:16

TOTAL TIME: 72:12