Get Involved blog

King Coleman - Down In The Basement

Tonight I’ll be down in the basement at The Social for Get Involved’s only party of 2009 (details at http://getinvolvedclub.com). And what record could possibly be more appropriate to post up today than King Coleman’s Down In The Basement from 1962. This record is one of my most prized - not because it’s particularly rare or valuable - but because both sides of this are GOLD of the highest order! To be honest, even without the instrumentation, the vocals on both sides by Coleman and his backing singers, are worthy of a record in their own right. But wait, the instrumentation is perfect - there’s a cha-cha-cha feel but without it feeling like a Latin record - it’s low down and sleazy Rhythm’n'Blues just the way I like it!

And the flip, Crazy Feelin’ is, in my opinion, even better…

King Coleman - Crazy Feelin’

Everytime I play this I think what a lucky chap I am to own this record. I’ll be playing it tonight - both sides! Come and Get Involved tonight!

Well, it’s been a long while coming but I’m pleased to announce that Shing-A-Ling podcast No.3 has finally hoved into view! And this time it’s a dance-themed selection in celebration of the fact that Shing-A-Ling’s venue, The Smithfield Tavern, has (at last!) been granted an official “dancing license”. So yeah, stream or download it or subscribe to the podcasts if you haven’t already:

Shing-A-Ling podcast No.3 New!
“Do The Whatever!”
by G the P

DOWNLOAD IT(47Mb) / LISTEN TO IT / SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHING-A-LING PODCAST FEED

1. Baby Jean – If You Wanna
2. Ervin Rucker – Done Done The Slop
3. The Vocaleers – The Cootie Snap
4. The Debelaires – Wa-Wabble
5. King Coleman – Do The Booga-Lou
6. J J Jackson & The Jackals – Oo-Mi-Liddi
7. Bobby Miller – Uncle Willie Time
8. Lattimore Brown – Say What (Hully Gully Twist)
9. The Miracles – Mickey’s Monkey
10. The Liberty Belles – Shing-A-Ling Time
11. Round Robin – Do The Slauson
12. Marveluss Mickey & The Rock-A-Sonics
– Do The Robot
13. The Champs – Tequila Twist
14. Bob Landers with Willie Joe and his Unitar
– Cherokee Dance
15. The Meters - Chicken Strut

I’ve got dozens of early 60s “dance” records - (I feel sure y’all know how to do the Twist and the Mashed Potato) but hopefully there are some dances here that you weren’t aware of - such as the lesser-spotted Oo-mi-liddi and the not-often cited (or sighted) Cootie Snap. My advice is simple: clear away the tables and chairs, press play and do whatever dance comes naturally!

NB - It’s our Christmas Shing-A-Ling special on Friday 18th December - we’ll be partying till 4am and dishing out mince pies and mulled wine - as well as encouraging the development of new dance crazes. Facebook event page is HERE

Louisiana Red - Ride on Red, Ride On

Picked up this record in Manchester a couple of weeks ago whilst having a dig in the rather brilliantly stocked 45 boxes in Beatin’ Rhythm on Tib Street. Hot damn, I love that record shop! Anyways, I thought I’d share it with you because if you’re not familiar with the sound of Louisiana Red, then you’ve been missing out..

He recorded a session in the early 60s (1962 ?) for the Roulette label - just him on vocals and guitar, backed by a bass and drums (with some occasional and always welcome harmonica action) - and hot damn that stuff (this track included) is absolute dynamite! This is one of two Louisiana Red records I’ve recently found and bought - I’ll post the other up real soon.

In the meantime, ride on Louisiana Red, ride on!