Spaniels, "Hey, Sister Lizzie" c/w "You Painted Pictures," Vee-Jay 154 (rel. 8/1955)

 

I'm housesitting for a friend, and thus I created and scheduled several posts in advance. Alas, something went wrong with Blogger and the song links got mixed up. Thus, those who tuned in yesterday before the mistake was reported to me have already heard today's first track. Here it is in proper context.

The Spaniels return with their final single of 1955. Despite their popularity with "Goodnight, Sweetheart" and "Baby, It's You" (not the Shirelles song), Vee-Jay Records only opted to issue two singles on them in 1955. Neither is easy to find; both are stellar example of the group's overall sound.
        We like to play the boppin' side first, and "Hey, Sister Lizzie" hits that mark all over the place. The song has no composer credit on the 1955 single; my guess is that it's a group original. Their guitarist, Pete Simmons, who also served as the group's musical director, delivers a prolonged sting-and-twang performance, which includes a two-chorus instrumental break. His guitar has a diabolical tone, and the playing is so bad-ass it tends to distract from the song proper. Thus, it's a hear-'er-twice affair. 
        From the Spaniels' "chihuahua" phrase to Pookie Hudson's compelling lead vocal to that spectacular guitar break, there's much to love on this killer side. I'll shuddup and let you dig this crazy-cool platter!

Opinions differ on which side was the intended A. Both are so good it doesn't matter. Another odd thing about this 1955 release: the song "You Painted Pictures" has a truncated title. It was corrected in re-pressings. Some of those bungled the group's name as
The Spanials. Quality control? Anyone?

"You Painted Pictures" was a Top 20 r&b hit but went unheard by the mainstream (white) pop audience. Their frequent tours helped build up appeal for this compelling ballad penned by Bernard Roth, a meat-cutter form Gary, Indiana who placed four songs with The Spaniels.
        Perhaps the song's rhythm came to him while he made pork chops. It's a classic doo-wop ballad, with zero musical surprises: just a solid song-form done with great skill and passion. Pete Simmons curtails the six-string hi-jinks; a sax player wails in the background and, with some apparent noodging, takes a solo for the coda. The upright bass player's notes are heard at the fade-out: a pleasant and unexpected moment.

I need to acquire more singles by The Spaniels. I have just two at present: they don't turn up in the wild. Project 2026: more Spaniels!

Tomorrow: a wild, tasty r&b one-off by The Howards. Two incredible vocal group stands with excellent sax solos and great vocals. Why weren't these guys million-sellers? A rare ABC-Paramount release from 1958.