Record #0191: School Room Rock / Blues After Hours – ERNIE FREEMAN

Imperial X5551 (original) USA, Nov. 1958
Music by:  Side A – Ernie Freeman; Side B – Jules Taub, Pee Wee Crayton
Musicians:  Ernie Freeman (piano), others were probably: Irving Ashby (guitar), Plas Johnson (tenor sax), Joe Comfort (bass), Earl Palmer (drums)
Recording sessions:  Los Angeles, CA, Side A –  Jun. 4.; Side B – Sep. 4, 1958
Highest chart positions: none

Ernie Freeman was one of the most notable session pianists of the 50’s and the 60’s. Just like Earl Palmer, he seemed to be playing on every other classic of the era (more here). He also had some groups of his own like “Ernie Freeman Orchestra” and “Ernie Freeman Combo”. This record was made by the latter.

Freeman had his biggest hit with a cover version of Bill Justis’ “Raunchy” in late 1957 (US #4, US R&B #1, US Country #11), but this record didn’t find success.

Neither of these tracks are in YouTube. I put Pee Wee Crayton’s original “Blues After Hours” (1948) here.

List price:  Very Good+ $6, Near Mint $12