Sunday, March 17, 2024

Record #0661: Somethin’ Else / Boll Weevil Song – EDDIE COCHRAN


Liberty 55203 (original) USA, 1 July 1959
Words & Music by:  Side A – Sharon Sheeley, Eddie Cochran, Bob Cochran; Side B – Eddie Cochran, Jerry Capehart
Musicians: Eddie Cochran (vocals, guitars, bass guitar on side A), possibly Jim Stivers (piano on side A), EarlPalmer (drums on side A), no details found for side B musicians
Recording sessions: Gold Star Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA on 23. June 1959
Highest chart positions:  US #58, UK #22

I found also other musician line-up details for side A, but I recall reading somewhere that Eddie played the electric bass himself (overdubbed). Also, I recall that he wanted Earl Palmer to play the drums the same way that Charles Connor played on Little Richard’s “Keep a-Knockin’”. Later, the same style was copied by John Bonham on Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” in 1971.

This was Cochran’s last US Top 100 entry.

I just realized that this is his only original US release in my collection. I need to fix this problem. 😊

List price:  Very Good+ is $20, Near Mint is $40

Record #0660: Teenage Heaven / I Remember – EDDIE COCHRAN


 

London HLU 8880 (original) UK, June 1959
Words & Music by:  Side A – Eddie Cochran, Jerry Capehart; Side B – Eddie Cochran, Jerry Capehart
Musicians: Eddie Cochran (vocals and guitars), Plas Johnson (tenor sax on side A), Jim Stivers (piano), Don Myers (bass guitar), Earl Palmer (drums), Gene Riggio (drums)
Recording sessions: Gold Star Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA on 17. January 1959
Highest chart positions:  This didn’t chart in the UK. The US release hit #99 in Billboard Hot 100.

Eddie Cochran performed “Teenage Heaven” in the movie “Go, Johnny Go”. The version in the movie is slightly different, but it was recorded in the same session. The fabulous Plas Johnson played sax on both versions.

The session also included “My Way” and “Rock’n’Roll Blues”, which were released posthumously in April 1963.

List price:  UK releases not listed in the catalog. These go usually for 20-40 € in eBay.

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Record #0659: Summertime Blues / Cut Across Shorty – EDDIE COCHRAN


 

United Artists 0014 (re-issue) USA, 1973
Words & Music by:  Side A – Eddie Cochran, Jerry Capehart; Side BMarijohn Wilkin, Wayne P. Walker
Musicians: Eddie Cochran (vocals, guitars, hand clapping on side A), Connie “Guybo” Smith (bass guitar), EarlPalmer (drums on side A), Sharon Sheeley (possibly hand clapping on side A), Sonny Curtis (guitar on side B), Jerry Allison (drums on side B)
Recording sessions: Gold Star Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; side A on 28. March 1958; side B on 8. January 1960
Highest chart positions:  this re-issue didn’t chart.

The original release of Summertime Blues was Cochran’s biggest hit in the US Charts (#8). It features the legendary Earl Palmer on drums.

Cut Across Shorty was the last song Cochran ever recorded - that is, if you don't count the BBC and live recordings done in the UK. Eddie and Guybo were joined by two Crickets to record it.

List price:  Very Good+ is $2 and Near Mint is $4