stevecutway's blog

The "Juke In The Back" focuses on the " soul that came before rock n' roll," the records that inspired Elvis, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and countless others.
The "Juke In The Back" presents part 2 in our 3 part series on Aladdin Records, one of the most important independent labels of the pre-rock era. Part 2 will pick up the Aladdin Records Story in 1950 and carry it through til rock n' roll began hitting the mainstream in 1953-54.

After you've enjoyed The Variety Vault with Paul Merrell, Wednesday afternoon from 2 to 4 PM, don't touch that dial, device, PC, Mac, smart speaker or tablet and join me for The Early Years, where and when you'll hear the best music from the first quarter century of Rock with nods to other decades and genres.
Canadiana, the theme I started four weeks ago, returns this week. This is part 4. I ended part 3 July 15 in December 1966 and will pick up the theme in 1967, Canada's Centennial year. All of the songs this week will be from 1967.

The "Juke In The Back" focuses on the " soul that came before rock n' roll," the records that inspired Elvis, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and countless others.
The "Juke In The Back" begins a three part special on one of the most important record labels of the pre-rock era, Aladdin Records.

After you've enjoyed The Variety Vault with Paul Merrell, Wednesday afternoon from 2 to 4 PM, don't touch that dial, device, PC, Mac, smart speaker or tablet and join me for The Early Years, where and when you'll hear the best music from the first quarter century of Rock with nods to other decades and genres.

The "Juke In The Back" focuses on the " soul that came before rock n' roll," the records that inspired Elvis, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and countless others.
Jay McShann was a pioneer of Rhythm & Blues, cutting his teeth as a swing bandleader, arriving in Kansas City just as it was becoming a jazz mecca.

After you've enjoyed The Variety Vault with Paul Merrell, Wednesday afternoon from 2 to 4 PM, don't touch that dial, device, PC, Mac, smart speaker or tablet and join me for The Early Years, where and when you'll hear the best music from the first quarter century of Rock with nods to other decades and genres.
Canadiana, the theme I started three weeks ago, takes a break this week as I hold a surprise birthday party for my wife Nancy who celebrates her birthday today (Tuesday). All of the songs will be about birthdays and birthday parties primarily from the 50s and 60s.

The "Juke In The Back" focuses on the " soul that came before rock n' roll," the records that inspired Elvis, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and countless others.
The "Juke In The Back" is jumpin' this week as we take a look at the history and influence of the Champion Jack Dupree classic, "Junker's Blues." He learned the tune from New Orleans boogie woogie pianist Drive 'Em Down, but it was Dupree's recording that influenced Fats Domino, Lloyd Price and Professor Longhair.

After you've enjoyed The Variety Vault with Paul Merrell, Wednesday afternoon from 2 to 4 PM, don't touch that dial, device, PC, Mac, smart speaker or tablet and join me for The Early Years, where and when you'll hear the best music from the first quarter century of Rock with nods to other decades and genres.
All the songs this week will be from a 4-year window (1963-66), as I continue the multipart theme that I began two weeks ago that I'm calling Canadiana. This is part 3. Every song will involve Canadian artists.

The "Juke In The Back" focuses on the " soul that came before rock n' roll," the records that inspired Elvis, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and countless others.
This week, "Juke In The Back" focuses on a tiny Chicago R&B record label with a big sound; Parrot Records.  The label was started by Chicago DJ Al Benson in late 1952 and it closed its doors in 1956.  During its period of operation, Parrot recorded some smokin' R&B with Willie Mabon, Mabel Scott and J.B. Lenoir and smooth vocal group sounds from The Flamingos, the 5 Thrills and the Orchids.