Tommy Sands, "I Ain't Gittin' Rid Of You" c/w "Is It Ever Gonna Happen," Capitol F4160 (rel. 3/1959)

 

Tommy Sands got into pop music before rock 'n' roll hit. Billed as Little Tommie Sands (the Western Wonder), his debut disc was issued in 1951 on the Texas label Freedom Records. RCA-Victor reissued it two years later and kept him on their roster for three years. These first records are solid country, with young Sands comin' across as a pint-sized Lefty Frizzell at times.

Sands sat 1956 out and then signed with Capitol Records. Things were different: rock 'n' roll had hit with a resounding thud, and all labels were eager to capitalize on its popularity. Capitol had one of the best rockabilly groups in Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps, but they wanted a pop idol who would rock when necessary but otherwise be an all-ages showman (or -kid). Sands filled that bill. He recorded some horrid drivel for Capitol and had some hits in the process. He puts on good performances on these grating Wonder-bread pop items; as a reward, he was allowed to do some powerful rockers.

Ages ago, we played "The Worryin' Kind," his fab 1958 single. Today we'll hear a superb 1959 release. Two songs co-written by Sands and performed as if it were still 1956 and all parties concerned were in Memphis rather than Capitol's Hollywood studio. Producer Ken Nelson, who helmed much of Capitol's country product, understood the basics of rock 'n' roll and let some sweet sides sneak out amidst the more pop-slanted stuff.

A month after the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson, Capitol F4160 served as a reminder that rock 'n' roll was still viable and vibrant. Sands had a natural affinity for rockabilly, and it's always great to hear him in this territory.

"I Ain't Gittin' Rid of You" is a torrid bluesy beat-ballad garnished with gnarly guitar galore. The soloist, Scotty Turner, leader of The Sharks, delivers the six-string goods with stunning results. The bump and grind tempo gives Tommy ample room to Elvis his way into a classic performance that's as good as anything that came out of Sam Phillips' studio in 1957. Were this a Sun Records release, it'd go for triple figures. Because it's just a Tommy Sands record, it can be had for a couple of dollars. That says nothing about the record's musical worth, as you'll soon see...

 

A teenage smash! Cash Box downplays their usual kooky lingo with a solid understanding of what makes this Tommy Sands single so special.

"Is It Ever Gonna Happen" was the nominal A-side. This piano-led side doesn't achieve the same intensity, but it's an excellent song of pent-up desire; Sands expresses his sexual frustration in frank terms. It's a wonder no one objected to this tell-it-like-it-is lyric, but I'm grateful it passed without pause.

Turner gets his licks in where he can, and the Latin-ish tempo is seductive. These white boys lay down quite the groove, and Sands is having a ball. Listen to some of his crasser pop sides ("Hep De Hootie," e.g.) and you'll appreciate how transcendent both sides of this single are, and how comfortable Tommy seems in this milieu.

Featured in today's marquee is an excellent CD comp from our pals at Bear Family Records. Said CD anthologizes all of Sand's rockin' sides and some of his better straight pop efforts and makes a strong case for his being taken seriously as an early rock 'n' roll artiste.

Tomorrow: Carol Fran is back with another of her Excello Records gems. Two solid bayou boppers from 1959.