Thrill Me
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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
How Will I Know
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"How Will I Know" was a single originally recorded & released for Firefly Records in 1960 by Doo Wop group, The Strands. The B-Side for that single was "Must You Go So Soon". From 1958-1960 L.A. based Firefly put out records by The Rainbows, Morry Williams & The Kidds, The Castle-Tones, Nunnie Moore & The Peacocks, The Ontarios, The Bees, The Rocketeers, The Jayhawks, The Cadets, The Ebbtides, Billy Dawn Quartet, T. Phillips, The Sharps, and Marvin & Johnny. Firefly's logo was awesome- it featured a cartoon smiling firefly swinging a glowing lantern.
Written by C.W. Burcham
Tim Timebomb - Vocals, Guitar Kevin Bivona - Guitar Justin Bivona - Bass, B3 Organ, Piano, Background Vocals Jesse Bivona - Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals
Down The Road
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In 1937 the oil business was just beginning in Trinidad and Tobego. Calypso singer, The Tiger put out this song to talk about the Butler Riots which took place on June 19, 1937. The birth of Trinidad's labor movement, named for Uriah Butler, a fierce defender of workers rights, charged with inciting a riot and sent to jail. This is our take on this heavy and powerful song "Down The Road".
Written by Neville Marcano (The Tiger)
Tim Timebomb - Guitar, Vocals
Anders Mouridsen - Accordian, Banjo, Guitar
Kevin Bivona - Melodica, Percussion, Background Vocals
Kate Strand - Background Vocals