In search of credible & authoritative answers...
Bésame Mucho - What was the original Mexican (or US) label & number for the 1941 release by Emilio Tuero?
Bint Misr - As a possible precursor to "Misirlou," this was supposedly written and recorded by Sayyid Darwish around 1919. Does anyone own it to confirm?
I Know I'll Never Love This Way Again - When was Cheryl Ladd's (Capitol 11801) done in relation to writer Richard Kerr's (A&M 2099)?
It's A Heartache- Did Bonnie tyler record hers before or after Ronnie Spector's (cut 8-16-77)?
Kiss Away - Does Thomas Wayne's record (Racer 3131) exist? It's referenced as the original of Ronnie Dove's hit, but conclusive evidence has been elusive.
Let's Go Get Stoned - Which of the three plausible candidates—Ronnie Milsap, Coasters or Chuck Jackson & Maxine Brown—recorded this first?
Mary Ann - When was Roaring Lion's 1940s recording made and how was it issued (label & number)?
Pata Pata - What was the original African label and number for the mid-'50s release by Dorothy Masuka?
Sharing The Night Together - Did Arthur Alexander or Lenny LeBlanc record this first? They were both done around the same time.
Tiger - Was Nick Todd's (Dot 15951) recorded before or after Fabian's hit version? (See the entry for "Tiger" in the Main Song Listing.)
Turn Down Day - Cyrkle cut it May 21, 1966 and supposedly took it from a jazz version—but was that a demo or ? Co-writer David Blume has said it started as a radio jingle.
Walk In The Black Forest, A - German pianist and bandleader Horst Jankowski had a hit with this in 1965 and there's no evidence he recorded prior to that year. The song was used though (as incidental music) in a 1961 episode of the Perry Mason TV show, with music credited to guitarist Barney Kessel. How odd that this melody shows up in two unrelated place four years apart. One possible explanation is that each musican independently adpated it from Mozart's "eine schwarzwaldfahrt." Since this translates as "A drive in the Black Forest" at least Jankowski must have. Anyone have ideas on how Kessel came up with his?
White Silver Sands - Did writer Chuck (or Charles) Matthews ever record this? I once read mention of him doing it in 1949, well before the three 1957 hit versions.
Dick's Want List (record, CD, mp3, tape/CD-R dub etc.—trades welcome)
Fairchild & Carroll - Glad To Be Unhappy, Liberty Music Shop 196 ('36)
Bob Haring & Cameo Dance Orch. - Are You Lonesome Tonight, Cameo 967 ('26) Is this the correct title?
Chuck Matthews - White Silver Sands, ('49?) did he really record & issue this?
Noble & King - Hold Me, UK Parlophone R 3432 or US issue(?) ('51)
Jacques Renard - Heartaches, Brunswick 6033 ('31)
Johnny Valentine - Sandy, Lode 2003 ('58)
Thomas Wayne - Kiss Away, Racer 3131 ('65)
Originals for sale
Prices in U.S. dollars. Shipping in U.S. is $2.50. Please inquire for shipping rates outside of U.S..
Payment may be made through PayPal or by sending a money order.
To order, or for more information, contact me:
45s
Big City Miss Ruth Ann - Heroes Of Cranberry Farm on Jamie 1386 white label promo VG color smudge on label 4.49
Go Now - Bessie Banks on Tiger 102 white label promo # on label, sticker residue plays VG 9.99
He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother - Kelly Gordon on Capitol 2442 promo VG 6.99
Love Of The Common People - The Four Preps on Capitol 5819 name on label plays VG+ 4.49
Million And One, A - Billy Walker on Monument 943 VG+ 2.99
Move In A Little Closer - Victorians on Arnold 571 VG+ 4.99
One Less Bell To Answer - Keely Smith on Atlantic 2429 white label promo M- 2.99
Sealed With A Kiss - Four Voices on Columbia 41699 white label promo wol VG+ 9.99
Spooky - Mike Sharpe on Liberty 55922 promo wol VG+ 6.99
Trains And Boats And Planes - Burt Bacharach on Canadian Kapp 657 M- 9.99
Venus In Blue Jeans - Bruce Bruno on Roulette 4427 promo VG 18.99
Where's The Playground, Susie? - Michael Whalen on Reprise 0602 white label promo M- 4.99
Albums
Gordon Heath & Lee Payant - An Evening At Labbaye on Elektra EKL-119
This is an early 1960s pressing of a 1957 12" LP release (made up of 1954 tracks from two 10" Elektra albums). It includes their recording of "Scarborough Fair" (aka "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme").
Record and cover are both VG++ 6.99
Gordon Jenkins - Seven Dreams on Decca DL 9011
This was the source for Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" melody. While there aren't cuts per se on the record, it's the portion labeled "The Blues Singer," often refered to as "Cresecent City Blues," by Beverly Mahr.
Original heavy 1953 pressing, the record has some noise but the "Crescent City Blues" part plays perfectly. The cover is trippy artwork and has seam splits on the bottom. 8.99
Danny Thomas - Tomorrow Belongs To You on Myrrh 6520
Includes the original of "You're The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me," later a hit for Ray Price, then Gladys Knight & The Pips (as "The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me").
Record and cover are both VG+. 3.49