Record #0844: That’s All I Need To Know / I Don’t Want To Cry – SAM COOKE

Specialty 627 (original) USA, March 1958
Words & Music by:  Side A – L.C. Cook; Side B – L.C. Cook
Musicians: Sam Cooke (lead vocals), Lee Allen (tenor sax), Alvin “Red” Tyler (baritone sax), Warren Myles (piano), Edgar Blanchard (guitar), Frank Fields (bass), Earl Palmer (drums), Lee Gotch, Marni Nixon, Alicia Adams and Clark Yocum (backing vocals)
Recording sessions: Produced by Robert “Bumps” Blackwell at Cosimo J&M Recording Studio, New Orleans, LA, on 12. December 1956
Highest chart positions: Side A –Canada #41 (in April 1958); Side B – none

Cooke had already left Specialty and had his first three hits with Keen Records, when this was released. Once Cooke became a superstar, Specialty dug into their vaults and released these 1956 recordings to cash in on his new fame.

Both songs were written by Cooke’s younger brother L.C. Cook. Bumps Blackwel is also famous for co-writing and producing hits like “Long Tall Sally” and “Rip It Up” for Little Richard.

Back in 1958 the 78 RPM shellac records were pressed in much lower quantities than the 45 RPM vinyls, which makes this a highly collectible record.

List price: $5-$10, but these have been sold in eBay for $24-$35.

 

Record #0800: Lessons In Love / Calendar Girl – CISSE

Love Records LRS 2151 (original demo / promo) Finland, 1976 (not released with this B-side)
Words & Music by:  Side A – Sy Soloway, Shirley Wolfe; Side B – Neil Sedaka, Howard Greenfield
Musicians: Christer “Cisse” Häkkinen (vocals and bass), Eero Lupari (guitars), Hillel Tokazier (keyboards), Ande Päiväläinen (drums), Anna & Muska Babizin (backing vocals)
Recording sessions: Produced by Henry “Remu” Aaltonen at Finnvox Studio, Helsinki, Finland in April 1976
Highest chart positions: Did not chart

This is a demo or promo pressing of Cisse’s first solo single. He was the bass player of Hurriganes, the most popular Finnish rock band in the ‘70’s. These were the first two tracks of his 1976 solo album “Teendreams”. Cisse released two more albums: “Summer Party” in 1979 and “I Love You Anyway” in 1985.

The actual release (LRS 2151) had a cover of the Searcher’s song “Saturday Night Out” on the flip side.

List price:  I have a price list of Finnish records, but it doesn’t list demos nor promos. The released version of the single is listed at 9 euros in the book.

 

Record #0738: I Walk the Line / Get Rhythm – JOHNNY CASH AND TENNESSEE TWO

Sun 241 (original) USA, April 1956
Words & Music by:  Side A – Johnny Cash; Side B – Johnny Cash
Musicians: Johnny Cash (lead vocals, guitar), Luther Perkins (guitar), Marshall Grant (bass)
Recording sessions: Produced by Sam Phillips at Sun Studio, Memphis, TN on 2. April 1956
Highest chart positions: US #17, US Country #1; Side B hit the charts only when it was reissued in 1969 (US #60, US Country #23)

“I Walk the Line” was the first #1 hit for Johnny Cash and it was his breakthrough as it sold over two million copies in the States. It was later covered by Don Costa (1959, US #59), Jaye P. Morgan (1960, US #66), Craig Wayne Boyd (2014, US #84, US Country #15) and many others.

“Get Rhythm” is one of my personal favorites. The boom-chicka-boom rhythm is at its best here. What can I say - simple is beautiful.

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