The title track of this Etta James album, HICKORY DICKORY DOCK, is currently playing alongside the images of British Telecom's latest TV advert. Etta needs no introduction - she is one of America's finest voices-.-a household name and one of a few classic R&B/rock'n'roll female vocalists with a powerful, confident singing style, renowned for its perfect sense of timing. This mid-price CD contains her early recordings and draws attention to the roots of her musical influences.
Etta James grew up in 40s and 50s west coast America-.-at a time when a sudden influx of immigrants looking for work at shipyards encouraged a rapid growth in the local entertainment industry, with a thriving music hub in Los Angeles. From an early age she was exposed to early, wild and gritty music which became rhythm & blues.
By the age of 15, Etta had formed a vocal trio with two friends and a chance performance caught by Johnny Otis, initiated her journey to success. Otis took the girls into Modern Records' studios to record Roll With Me Henry. Richard Berry was brought in mid-way through the session to re-arrange the song. The result was the retitled The Wallflower, a James-Berry duet, which subsequently scored a #2 position in the R&B charts. It was covered by Georgia Gibbs for the pop charts (the pop version was toned-down and entitled Dance With Me Henry). The song led Etta to touring with a host of R&R stars who included Little Richard, Nappy Brown and Bill Doggett.
She returned to the studio to record a raunchy follow-up, Hey Henry, and her second hit, Good Rockin' Daddy (which peaked at #12 in the R&B chart). In early 1956, the Bihari brothers brought Etta and Jimmy Beasley (Modern's answer to Fats Domino) together in a session in New Orleans. They wanted to mastermind a collaboration which would compete against Little Richard, rival label Specialty's hottest R&R act. The outstanding track was Tough Lover, featuring a blistering tenor solo from Lee Allen, reminiscent of his performance on Long Tall Sally.
Most of the sides contained here were recorded in New Orleans or Los Angeles during the late 50s, providing her entire Modern recordings. After her stint at Modern, Etta moved to the Chess labels, recording several polished, emotion-drenched ballads. She continued to be successful in the R&B charts well into the late 70s and is still active on the live performance circuit. In 1993, Etta James was inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall Of Fame taking her rightful place in R&R history.
- Genre:
- Rhythm & Blues
- Label:
- Ace Records
- Format:
- CD
- Catalogue Id:
- CDCHM 680
This product is also available in these versions:
Hickory Dickory Dock (MP3), MP3 (£7.99)
Share
Track listing
ShowSide 1
- 01 Preview Hickory Dickory Dock
- 02 Preview W-O-M-A-N
- 03 Preview My One And Only (Number One)
- 04 Preview I'm A Fool
- 05 Preview Strange Things Happening
- 06 Preview Hey Henry
- 07 Preview I Hope You're Satisfied
- 08 Preview Good Rockin' Daddy
- 09 Preview Sunshine Of Love
- 10 Preview That's All
- 11 Preview How Big A Fool (Alt version)
- 12 Preview Tears Of Joy
- 13 Preview The Pick-Up
- 14 Preview Market Place
- 15 Preview Tough Lover
- 16 Preview Crazy Feeling aka Do Something Crazy
- 17 Preview Be My Lovey Dovey
- 18 Preview Nobody Loves You Like Me
- 19 Preview You Know What I Mean
- 20 Preview The Wallflower
- 21 Preview "Baby, Baby" Every Night
- 22 Preview We're In Love
Delivery & Returns
ShowWe offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.
We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.
In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Bus Stop Mail Order Ltd, 42-50 Steele Road, London, NW10 7AS. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.
You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Bus Stop Mail Order Ltd, 42-50 Steele Road, London, NW10 7AS. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.
