The Champs - Sparton 632R (1958)

From wikipedia...

The Champs were an American rock and roll band, most famous for their Latin-tinged instrumental "Tequila". Formed by studio executives at Gene Autry's Challenge Records to record a B-Side for the Dave Burgess (aka Dave Dupree) single, the intended throwaway track became more famous than its A-Side, "Train to Nowhere". "Tequila" went to No. 1 in just three weeks and the band became the first group to go to the top spot with an instrumental that was their first release. The song was recorded at Gold Star Studios in 1958, and in 1959 won the Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording.

"Tequila!" was written and sung by the saxophone player Danny Flores, although he was credited as Chuck Rio because he was under contract to another record label at the time. Flores, who died in September 2006, was known as the "Godfather of Latino rock." Flores' "dirty sax" and his joyous hollering of "Tequila!" are the hallmarks of the song. Flores signed away the U.S. rights to the song but retained world-wide rights until his death.

Bill Haley & His Comets - Decca 29791 (1955)

O Canada!

These must have come from a snowbird's batch of 78s. (He or she took meticulous care of  'em)

From wikipedia…

Originally entitled "Later Alligator", the song, based on a 12-bar blues chord structure, was written by Louisiana songwriter Robert Charles Guidry and first recorded by him under his professional name "Bobby Charles" in 1955. Guidry, a Cajun musician, adopted a New Orleans-influenced blues style for the recording. He also wrote "Walking to New Orleans", which was recorded by Fats Domino.

The most famous recording of the song, however, was that created on December 12, 1955 by Bill Haley & His Comets at a recording session for Decca Records. Unlike most of Haley's recordings for Decca, which were created at the Pythian Temple studio in New York City, "Alligator" and its flip-side, "The Paper Boy (On Main Street U.S.A.)", was recorded at the Decca Building in New York. The song was featured in Rock Around the Clock, a musical film Haley and the Comets began shooting in January 1956. Decca records released this disk on February 1, 1956 in both 45 and 78 formats.

Haley's arrangement of the song is faster-paced than Guidry's original, and in particular the addition of a two-four beat changed the song from a rhythm and blues "shuffle" to rock and roll. The song also has a more light-hearted beat than the original, starting out with a high-pitched, childlike voice (belonging to Haley's lead guitarist, Franny Beecher) reciting the title of the song. The ending of the song was virtually identical to the conclusion of Haley's earlier hit, "Shake, Rattle and Roll".

It would become Haley's third and final million-selling single, although it did not hit the top of the American charts.

Recorded in New York on December 12, 1955.

Red & Miff's Stompers - Victor 21183 (1927)

“It’s a family affair…” – Sly Stone

This afternoon, my Mom was on her way back home from jury duty and decided to do some antiquing. She wasn’t sure what she had found but got it anyway because she liked the name of the band. Good eye, Mom!

Red Nichols t / Miff Mole tb / Pee Wee Russell, Fud Livingston cl, ts, a / Lennie Hayton p / Carl Kress g / Jack Hanson bb / Vic Berton d.

Recorded in New York on October 12, 1927.

Thomas ("Fats") Waller - Victor 25338 (1929)

Here are a couple of piano solos by the great Fats Waller...'nuff said.

Recorded in New York on March 1 (NF) and September 24 (ST), 1929.

Fats Domino - Imperial 5515 (1958)

Really like the original Sick And Tired by Chris Kenner but Fats polished it up and made a hit out of it. (Boz Scaggs did a great cover in the late '90s)

This is another Canadian issue found last week.

Recorded in New Orleans on February 5, 1958.

Three Tobacco Tags - Bluebird 6730 (1936)

Here's another Tar Heel outfit that I have just discovered...The Three Tobacco Tags. They were an old-time string band from Gastonia, NC.

On this recording, they consisted of Luther Baucom (vocals) & George Wade on mandolin and Reid Summey (vocals) on guitar.

Recorded in Charlotte, NC (same hotel as Jimmie Gunn, Locke Brothers & Bob Pope?) on October 13, 1936.