3 quickies from the fifties (well, almost)

Hello again, everyone. I've been in a bit of a posting mood, so I'd like to talk about a couple of records I just got and a record that's an all-time fave. In fact, all three of these records are (if they're not there already) all-time faves and their roughly from about 1957 to 1960. Read on and enjoy.

The Noblemen: Dirty Robber (USA)

This is the all-time fave I was telling you about. It was originally issued at two different times on two different labels in 1960. Those labels are Profile and USA. I've got a suspicion that USA must have picked it up from Profile, as a second Noblemen 45 called "Dragon Walk"/"Thunder Wagon" was issued on that label shortly after. That's a great instro 45, but this one is, too, with lots of wailin' sax, poundin' guitar and frantic drums. "You're a dirty robber! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!!!"




Robert Williams and The Groovers: Loud Mufflers/Cranberry Blues (Tip Top)

Here's yet another group I couldn't find any information on. I did a Google search for this and all I could find was its listing on various radio show playlists and a couple of comp listings. I do know that "Loud Mufflers" had some action on the "Teenage Riot" comp LP and that both songs may have seen action on some of the Buffalo Bop comp CDs, but that's about it. What you need to know, however, is that both songs kick ass! "Loud Mufflers" is a ditty about some kid who keeps getting stopped by the cops because "Loud mufflers make too much noise." "Cranberry Blues" is faster and is about people going crazy with cranberry fever. Both sides feature awesome guitar work with killer guitar breaks, while "Cranberry" even features a frantic drum solo midway through. Can't go wrong with this.


The Five Stars: Pickin' on the Wrong Chicken (Note)

It's a little hard to get a handle on this group because there were several groups out there who shared this name. The Five Stars of this record put this to wax in March of 1958 on the Indianapolis-based label Note. Then, Hunt, a label which had some success with the Virtues' "Guitar Boogie Shuffle" and which had some Dick Clark involvement, picked up the disc and reissued it on their label. The Goldmine Guide to 45 R.P.M. Records also lists this as being issued by ABC-Paramount. Whatever the case, this is a bouncy doo-wop number that speeds along its merry way and keeps cookin' right up to the end. It kind of has a Bill Haley feel except that it's a little faster. Also, Indianapolis rocker Ronnie Haig played guitar on this record and Wes Montgomery is said to have played on it also, though I can't confirm it.

So there you go. Three very fine records to get you started on the good foot this week. Hope you enjoy.