Sammy Jackson, "Are You My Baby" c/w "Live Fast," Orbit R 536 (rel. 3/1959)

 

Sammy Jackson played rural characters on TV westerns and situation comedies. He moved to Hollywood from his hometown of Henderson, North Carolina, but his search for stardom led to a job as a clerk in a company’s shipping department. He won a role in the 1958 film comedy No Time for Sergeants—where he had one line of dialogue—and parlayed this bit part into a series of TV and movie roles. This led to his starring role in a TV sitcom based on the film (a vehicle for TV comedy duo Andy Griffith and Don Knotts), which Jackson campaigned for and won over more established actors. The series ran for three seasons but is long forgotten; Gomer Pyle eclipsed this rural-lummox-in-the-military format

As he awaited his big break, Jackson recorded several singles that are pop rockabilly with country leanings. His Huckleberry Hound-esque voice gives those performances an amusing air, but they often rocked well. On today’s disc, Sammy’s vinyl debut, he has ace session guitarist George Barnes in his corner as he delivers an original and a cover of a semi-recent country bopper by Faron Young.

“Are You My Baby?” must have been recorded in New York, as Barnes is joined by sax legend Ousley “King” Curtis. Their energy dominates this teen rocker. Jackson’s voice is more spoken-word than singing, but his drawly delivery has charm. His song, about a guy who’s frustrated by his girl’s adoration of rock ‘n’ roll idols and becomes one to win her heart, is a happy, fast-moving and inconsequential trifle that’s nonetheless appealing.

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On the A-side was a revival of “Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young (and Leave a Beautiful Memory),” a major 1955 country hit that was a natural for a rock ‘n’ roll revival. Sammy sounds livelier on this side. George Barnes really wants to take a solo, but it never happens; one can feel his desire—one shared by King Curtis, who does little more than blow fill-in notes. Why use such talented musicians for such futile roles? Anyone could’ve played those parts. They’re better for these two musicians’ input, but they could extemporize a great solo without prior preparation. Opportunity lost!

Sammy made five rock ‘n’ roll singles, most which were collected on a 1962 LP, Ladies’ Man, for Arvee Records. He played country rube types until those became frowned-upon by TV producers. He switched to being an LA disc jockey, and seems to have done well with that job. He passed on in 1995—a performer of no mean importance who amused an America that soon forgot he existed.

Tomorrow: A Shirelles single I’m sure you’ve never heard. From 1966, with two superb performances by lead singer Shirley Alston, via a Scepter Records rarity.