When reviewing There’s Always Time’s EP ‘Breathe’ in 2024, I described the sound as dark, moody, Bauhaus-esque in tone and stalking like a cold shadow carrying a jagged-edged knife with vocals that reach Polystyrene-levels of pitch and passion. All of those components remain thoroughly present on debut album YOU SUCK !!!. Only now Continue reading
rock n roll
Tornado Revisited: Setting the Record Straight
One thing I didn’t expect to happen when writing posts about 50s music discovered by me in the mid 80s: to hear from any of the bands/artists’ family members. But not only has that happened, more so I’ve heard from a band member!
Incredibly, I’ve now had the immense pleasure of being in contact with ‘Wild’ Bill Lee Balsbaugh, piano player in The Jiants, having initially been contacted by Aaron Hedges, son of Jerry Hedges, the guitarist.
Not only can I set some of my own speculations—made in absence of any info—about the band straight, I can also correct a big inaccuracy found in the scant information that could be found online.
Lights Out! The New Orleans Irish Quarter Fire that was Jerry Byrne
This delve into songs first heard in the 80s at one of the record hops still taking place as part of London’s remaining 50s/60s Teddy Boy/Rocker scene looks at:
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Song: ‘Lights Out’
Artist: Jerry Byrne
From: New Orleans
Recorded: 1958
Mundo Primitivo’s Paisaje Interior
I can’t remember what took me to Mundo Primitivo’s Paisaje Interior, but Holy shit I’m sure glad who/whatever it was did.
Track 1: ‘Intro’ is an instrumental with a rock ‘n’ roll swagger reminiscent of Duane Eddy’s ‘Peter Gunn’; there’s menace and purpose in the brooding prowl, a cat on the move but always taught and ready to pounce; it turns out to be the calm before the storm.
Bumble Bee: the Sting in the Tale of LaVern Baker!
Artist: LaVern Baker
A.K.A.:
- Delores Williams
- Little Miss Sharecropper
- Bea Baker
From: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
Song: ‘Bumble Bee’
Recorded: 1960
Walking with Jimmy McCracklin
Artist: Jimmy McCracklin
From: a point of contention; either Elaine, Arkansas or St. Louis, Missouri.
Song: ‘The Walk’
Recorded: 1957
Tornado!
The Jiants
Members:
- Jerry Hedges (guitar)
- Andy “Russell” Anderson (vocals)
- Bill Lee Balsbaugh (piano)
- Ron Wolfe (drums)
- Ray Umbarger (bass; not shown in the picture of four)
From: Marion, Indiana, U.S.A.
Song: ‘Tornado’
Released: 1959
Mercy! The Collins Kids
The Collins Kids
Members: Lorrie and Larry Collins
From: Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
Song: ‘Mercy’
Released: 1958
The Echo Valley Boys: Wash Machine Boogie
The Echo Valley Boys
Members:
- Bill Browning
- Art Fulks
- Merl Hoaf
- Jackie Wooten
- Roy Barker
- Marshall Looney
From: Ohio, USA.
Song: ‘Wash Machine Boogie’
Released: September 1957