Featured here are 29 songs recorded by Bland for Old Town between 1955 and 1963, with five tracks that were unissued at the time, including an alternate (but similar) take of "Let the Little Girl Dance." Bland and Old Town tried a variety of strategies evident over the course of the disc. There are more sub-Jackie Wilson imitations with the "Lonely Teardrops" rhythm ("You Were Born to Be Loved"). There are also fair Bo Diddley-derived tunes ("Chicken in the Basket" is not just a derivation, but an imitation); down-home ...
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Featured here are 29 songs recorded by Bland for Old Town between 1955 and 1963, with five tracks that were unissued at the time, including an alternate (but similar) take of "Let the Little Girl Dance." Bland and Old Town tried a variety of strategies evident over the course of the disc. There are more sub-Jackie Wilson imitations with the "Lonely Teardrops" rhythm ("You Were Born to Be Loved"). There are also fair Bo Diddley-derived tunes ("Chicken in the Basket" is not just a derivation, but an imitation); down-home electric blues with Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee as accompanists ("Chicken Hop"); up-tempo urban jump blues-R&B ("Grandma Gave a Party," "The Fat Man"); doo wop; faux New Orleans sounds ("Momma Stole the Chicken"); and sub-twist, early-'60s dance-craze rock ("Do the Bug with Me"). It's almost an unwitting primer of black music in the '50s and early '60s as it turned into R&B, rock, and soul. The material, however, is on the by-the-numbers side, and Bland is a likable but undistinguished singer. Some points of interest are "Uncle Bud," (like "Chicken Hop") which features just-out-of-the-country electric blues that probably has Sonny Terry on guitar (the composer credit is "S. Terry"); the little-known and unmemorable Gene Pitney tune "Harmony," and "I Spend My Life Loving You," which was co-written by Bland and J. Mack, though sounds like it could be mistaken for a Gene Pitney composition. ~ Richie Unterberger, Rovi
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Seller's Description:
Fair. This item has very light surface scratches that do not affect the use of the disc/s. This is a USED item and case may have light wear. All items unless otherwise noted will include disc, case, and artwork. Codes have been used. Other contents such as booklets may vary, please inquire for details. All items ship Monday-Friday within 2-3 business days.
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