TONY HARRIS, "CHICKEN, BABY, CHICKEN" C/W "I'LL FOREVER LOVE YOU," EBB 104 (REL. 6/1957)

Tony Harris had over a decade’s experience singing, recording and touring with Black gospel groups by the time he made today’s single—described by blues archivist Opal Louis Nations as: “…a stone-crazy, Crescent City-sounding dance-craze record in the smouldering vein of a Little Richard/Cosimo [Matassa] classic.” The vocalist traveled from Los Angeles to New Orleans to make the two sides at Matassa’s legendary studio. In the room with him was drummer Earl Palmer, sax man Lee Allen, Alvin Tyler, Edgar Blanchard and guitarist Roy Montrell.

The single was made for Ebb Records, a label with a relationship to Specialty—Little Richard’s label. It was owned by Leona Rupe, who was married to Art Rupe, Specialty’s head honcho. When their marriage soured, Leona created Ebb Records out of sheer spite. Her hope was to nab any Black artist that her ex passed on. Ebb had one huge hit with The Hollywood Flames’ “Buzz Buzz Buzz”—the one Ebb that always shows up in the wild. I’ve learned to look past the logo and grab the many wild, sublime r&b items on that imprint. They never disappoint.

Today’s record showed up in that new dealer stock I had first dibs on. I knew of this record but was on the other side of the Grand Canyon of possession. It was one of many three-dollar items this seller, in a marijuana-induced haze, underpriced. This guy has stoned and sober pricing. When sober, he will put an eight-dollar price on a common, million-selling Fats Domino record. When high, he throws away records that command a much higher price across the board. I’m fine with his “high” prices. With this guy, you do have to check for condition, as he lets beaten, worn and damaged records fly past his muddled radar.

This one has been around the block, but it cleaned up well and I’m happy to share this impressive platter with you today.

Its vocalist had made several records—all in a gospel vein—for small LA labels before he went secular with a vengeance on “Chicken Baby Chicken,” in which he declares: “o’pra music gives me the creeps!” With a NOLA dream-team behind him, Tony groans, wails and yelps one wild original ditty that references a dance craze Sun Records’ Rosco Gordon celebrated on his shambolic 1955 side “The Chicken (Dance with You).” Its easy-going lope belies the crazed performance Harris presents, with a voice that might have put fear in any John Q. Public from Squaresville—then and now!

>>> Hear it HERE! <<<

Cash Box accentuates the creepy-cool B-side, but the A got this single on the charts.

I’m drawn to minor-key r&b recordings, and “I’ll Forever Love You” is a splendid example. Harris retains his sandpaper voice on this mid-tempo mover, which is graced by a moody guitar solo from Roy Montrell. We have “Fever,” Otis Blackwell’s song which Little Willie John made a pop and jazz standard, to thank for this trend in Black music, which sired song after song that collectors and fans have come to treasure.

After the sensory overload of the A side, this brooding midnight declaration of passion is a lush surprise and a pleasure to hear, thanks to Harris’ gritty performance on another original song.

>>> Hear it HERE! <<<

Tony Harris made three more singles for Ebb, all which I’d like to acquire. This record, thanks to the browbeating of Leona Rupe, got onto the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at #89. This means it corrupted X amount of white teenagers—major win!

Opal Nations’ two-part interview with Tony Harris is recommended extra credit reading, which you can access here:

https://opalnations.com/files/Tony_Harris_Part_1_Blues_Rhythm_115_Christmas_1996.pdf

and here!

http://opalnations.com/files/Tony_Harris_Part_2_Blues_Rhythm_116_February_1997.pdf

Tomorrow: it’s my birfday and I celebrate with a masterpiece by The Bobby Fuller Four, in a record too big to be contained on styrene (or even vinyl)! Be there or be rectangular!