Mixtape 11: When the Jukebox Plays Chills and Fever
Mixtape #11 - When the Jukebox Plays Chills and Fever
1. Chills And Fever
2. Till The Well Runs Dry
3. Dance Dance Dance
4. If You See Mary Lee
5. How Will I Know
6. When The Jukebox Plays
7. Don't You Lie To Me
8. Little Rude Girl
9. Rockin' With The Clock
10. Wild About You Baby
11. On A Night Like This
12. Train 45
Thrill Me
iTunes//Amazon//Spotify
The Mello-Kings had a national Doo-Wop hit called , "Tonite, Tonite." They were a vocal group from Mt. Vernon, a working class suburb of New York City, just north of the Bronx. They attended George Washington High. In 1956, they were gaining local attention in the area and caught the ear of piano player Richard Levister who became the group's manager. It was Levister who introduced them to Al Silver, owner of New York based Herald Records, which had been running since 1952. Herald specialized in vocal group records. Silver, a pioneer R&B label owner, had by this point put out hit singles by the Nutmegs and the Five Satins. Here's our take on The Mello Kings' "Thrill Me"
Written by R. Levister
Tim Timebomb - Guitar, Vocals
Kevin Bivona - Guitar, Piano, Cowbell, Background Vocals
Justin Bivona - Bass, Background Vocals
Jesse Bivona - Drums Background Vocals
Aimee Interrupter - Background Vocals
Ammerette
Anyone who loves early rock and roll and New Orleans music in particular has most likely heard tracks that came out through Minit Records. That label was a musical home to the likes of Ernie K- Doe, Jessie Hill, Boogie Jake and Irma Thomas... and this song here that was originally recorded by Bennie Spellman in 1959. Bennie's deep bass vocal boomed through loud and clear on many early-'60s Allen Toussaint sessions, and Benny spent time with Huey Piano Smith before signing with Minit. You can also hear his bass vocals backing up Ernie K-Does "Mother-in-Law". Here's our version of Benny's "Ammerette"
Written by Benny Spellman
Tim Timebomb - Guitar, Vocals
Kevin Bivona - Piano, Melodica
Justin Bivona - Bass
Jesse Bivona - Drums
Be Yourself
Prior to 1970s Philly Soul era, there was also an era of Philly Soul made popular by the production and songwriting team of Frank Bendinelli and Leroy Lovett, who produced groups from the early to late 1960s, including The Companions who put out the song "Be Yourself" in 1964. The original record became a regional Doo-Wop hit in that city.
The Companions were singers Larry Pinder, Ebert Holmes and Herman Johnson. Both sides of the Companions 45 were co-written by Cindy Scott, who also had a group called the Cousins, that were produced by Lovett and Bendinelli who formed a production company, Ben-Lee Music, that made tracks that were licensed to Philadelphia labels, like General American. The Ben-Lee team produced Philadelphia soul groups with great doo wop harmonies and peppy horn parts for artist Patty And The Emblems, The Intruders, Timmy And The Emprees, The Colt 45s and The Persianettes.
Here's our take on "Be Yourself".
Written by W. Hamilton and L.C. Scott
Tim Timebomb - Vocals, Guitar
Kevin Bivona - Piano, Melodica, Background Vocals
Justin Bivona - Bass
Jesse Bivona - Drums
She's Drunk All The Time
Hey Everybody,
The "She's Drunk All The Time" 7" vinyl single will be available at Pirates Press on 8/20, and it will also be available at our upcoming tour dates. We hope that you enjoy this new music video that we did for the song.