WERLY FAIRBURN & THE DELTA BOYS, "ALL THE TIME" C/W "I'M A FOOL ABOUT YOUR LOVE," SAVOY 45-1503 (REL. 10/1956)

Werly Fairburn is a hard name to forget. I’ve never known a Werly. The name must still be in use. Who knows? This Werly made a couple of killer rockabilly singles in 1956, the peak year for this style. His best record in this vein is today’s twin-spin. Recorded at Cosimo Matassa’s studio in New Orleans on August 13, 1956, it’s a primo specimen of the sound. Had it been recorded in Memphis and released on Sun Records, it would go for far more than it does. It was among the few white rock ‘n’ roll releases for Savoy Records. This New York label is revered for their modern jazz catalog; they also maintained a great rhythm and blues series. In 1956, Elvis was king, and a chance to have an Elvis of their own spurred this label to sign Werly Fairburn and The Delta Boys.

As with the Beatles in 1964, a belief persisted that a once-in-a-lifetime performer could be replicated, and that it didn’t matter who the person or group was. It was the general sound, and if it resembled the mega-star’s in any way, a label would gamble on its possible and unproven success. Nine times out of 10 this ploy failed—regardless of the record-in-question’s quality.

Thus, today’s record, like hundreds in its category, blurred past public perception, excited the few who heard it and vanished from the ever-changing horizon of popular music. The public missed out on something special, as you’re about to hear…

With its opening bursts of stand-up bass, “All the Time” is more country bopper than rockabilly, but that’s a wafer-thin line. The bar-room piano tips it towards country bopper to these ears, but the addition of drums—and a blazing guitar solo—leans into rockabilly. Whatever it is, it’s a fantastic recording—full of energy and rhythm with a bright sound and remarkable isolation of each musical instrument. This was recorded in mono, but without the usual compression that makes every aspect run together. It’s typical of Cosimo Matassa’s skill as an audio engineer, and a hallmark of the many fine rhythm and blues records that came out of his studio.

Cash Box is hep to the jive; the public wasn't.

The flip is better yet. “I’m a Fool About Your Love” is Fairburn’s song, and it’s 100% rockabilly. Driving rhythm, twangy guitar, thudding acoustic bass and the bar-room pie-anna, which takes a solo which is followed by a bluesy guitar passage. Werly’s vocal is sharper and he sounds like he’s having a ball on this superb recording.

Fairburn penned one country standard in “I Guess I’m Crazy,” and his 1956 Columbia recording “Everybody’s Rockin’” is a cherished record by those who own a copy. Savoy may have over-manufactured today’s release, as copies in nice condition are easy-ish to find, and prices are all over the map. I scored an underpriced copy on eBay, which was then discounted by its seller. Nothing wrong with that!

Bear Family Records issued a definitive CD of Fairburn’s music with their 1993 “Everybody’s Rockin’” (BCD 15578), still in print and worth your effort to acquire. The booklet offers a succinct account of Fairburn’s life and career. Highly recommended!

Tomorrow: Black rock ‘n’ roll with Big Al Downing on a rockabilly-tinged 1958 killer from Carlton Records. Don’t miss this one!