string(3) "dev" Screamin' Jay Hawkins - The Planet Sessions - Ace Records

The Planet Sessions Screamin' Jay Hawkins

£11.50

Genre:
Rock'n'Roll
Label:
Ace Records
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDCHD 1493

At last, the first official reissue of Screamin’ Jay’s rare second album, recorded in the UK in 1965. Bonus stereo mixes and unissued tracks help clarify its status as an overlooked mod-jazz classic.

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins was one of R&B’s choicest characters: a one-man circus sideshow with some of the most memorable routines – and props – the music world had ever witnessed. To be sure, the man could scream. But he also groaned, gurgled, snorted, scatted, regurgitated and rubber-lipped his way through five decades of eye-popping performances and a remarkable cache of recordings. Yet, the grunts and gibberish masked the fact that the author of the much-covered standard ‘I Put A Spell On You’ was an accomplished and serious musician who also coveted the urbanity of jazz and the proficiency of opera.

While Hawkins recorded prolifically during the 1950s and 1960s, he released just three long-players during that period. The second of these, “The Night And Day Of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins”, is not only the rarest but was for many years considered the strangest. The British-only album was an overlooked entry in his discography, perceived by some as too restrained when compared to the decidedly perverse – in all senses of the word – nature of Hawkins’ catalogue. Recorded in London in 1965 with session players, and issued the following year on Shel Talmy’s Planet label, the record’s fascinating blend of louche lounge balladry, frantic R&B workout and cool club groove is now revealed as a quintessential mod-jazz artefact.

Ace’s “The Planet Sessions” sees the first official reissue for this obscure gem, and the original album’s running time is doubled with unissued stereo variants, alternate takes and a pair of exciting outtakes, including an early version of the classic ‘Stone Crazy’, all drawn from the original Abbey Road session tapes. Detailed notes spell out the singer’s first outrageous visit to the UK in early 1965, based on the recollections of long-time observer Brian Smith, who also provided some amazing documentary stills for the eye-popping booklet. All in all, “The Planet Sessions” is not only a reappraisal but a reaffirmation of the bizarre genius of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.

Alec Palao

Share

Track listing

Show

Side 1

Delivery & Returns

Show

We 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.

Press quotes

Show

Recommended for all Jay fans and r&b/rock & roll collectors alike.

Blues & Rhythm

Customer reviews

Show

Customers who bought this item also bought