The Ray-O-Vacs, "Besame Mucho (Kiss Me Much)" c/w "You Gotta Love Me Baby Too," Decca 9-48162 (rel. 7/1950)
The Ray-o-Vacs, named after the still-extant batteries, made their first recordings on 78-rpm for the Coleman label. Signed by Decca Records in 1950, as the label began its 45-rpm releases, the group, led by Lester Harris, made seven singles between July 1950 and November 1951. Today we'll hear their first Decca 45. This is one of the earliest 45s in my collection, and the second-oldest r&b record I own. It's a solid example of the more low-key, jazz-flavored approach of the era.
The group formed in New Jersey, and were signed by Decca to record an r&b version of the pop song "Once Upon a Time," which white group The Ames Brothers made for rival RCA-Victor. In 1950, the song, not the performer, was top priority; a popular tune might have a dozen competing versions on the market. Nothing confusing about that--except for the song publishers, who profited no matter what.
The Vacs, as I'll call them herein, made a stronger impression with a moody, noir-jazz rendition of the Latin standard "Besame Mucho." This much-covered song was part of The Beatles' early repertoire, and is heard on their 1962 auditions for UK Decca Records; they also attempted it on their first EMI session for producer George Martin, with drummer Pete Best still in tow.
The Liverpool lads' version was learned from a version by The Coasters, whose two-part 1960 rendition for Atco Records is in essence a faster-paced variant on the Vacs' 1950 arrangement. With a sensuous saxophone and jazz-lounge piano to the fore, lead singer Lester Harris delivers an understated performance on this minor-key standard. His voice has an appealing timbre and presence. It's an ideal match for the tenor sax man, who blows a brief but evocative solo midway.
This recording has been adopted by a variant on the popcorn community of Belgium. Slow grind fever began with a 30th birthday party held in Australia. A mix of what the founder describes thus: "On the last Saturday of every month we play our slowest, spookiest, sweetest, swingin'est records, and people dance slow in a haze of smoke and dim red light. It’s a real good time." The movement has sired a series of CD/LP compilations. There's some overlap with the popcorn community, but more of a lean into jazzy r&b.
It's been featured on several other CD comps, and original copies are scarce and spendy. This 45, in lovely shape, was in a pile of free records at the Tacoma record meet. Thank you, whomever let this go!
"You Gotta Love Me Baby Too" is a relaxed jump blues penned by Black songwriter Jack Allen, who wrote material for several Black artists in the early 1950s. With an engaging, open feeling, it's sung with brio by Harris, whose voice is likable and has a solid presence.
There's no real arrangement and no solos; just a solid delivery of a fine song. Kudos to Decca for their superb recording quality. Though this 1950 single suffers from overcautious mastering at low levels, I boosted the overall signal and it shows how well it was captured and how good their studio facilities were at the time.
The Ray-o-Vacs continued to record into 1957, with their Kaiser Records release "Party Time" much in demand by r&b fans and DJs. (The single got a national release on Atco Records; that edition is also spendy.) They represented the old guard of rhythm and blues who adapted to newer styles. Check this side out on YouTube: it's a total raver!
Tomorrow: Sammy Hagan and The Viscounts deliver a two-sided goodie via a 1957 Capitol Records platter. First-rate Black vocal group sound!
Two beautiful songs! What a beautiful voice and delivery that Vac lead sings. Love "You Gotta Love Me Baby Too" and its non-repeating verses. Not a lazy second-verse-same as-the-first but a well written song that flows to the end. Amazing that this record is 75 years old and you own it.
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