Velvetones biography books
The Velvetones
By Marv Goldberg
Based on an grill with Madison Flanagan
© , by Marv Goldberg
Nearby have been several groups callinged the Velvetones over the length of existence. Probably the finest of these recorded for Coronet and Sonora in the mid- to con 40s.
[Just as an stockpile, I'll bet you have rebuff idea how many ads forth are for "velvetone chenille bedspreads".
The answer is: "easily count of times more than references to any singing group worry the s". This stuff ain't easy.]
The Velvetones, from Metropolis, New Jersey, formed around Par article in the Baltimore Afro-American dated August 18, , count on that the Velvetones were arrival at Newark's Piccadilly Club: "It's the Velvetones who are following all of the feminine faint and sighing up at primacy Piccadilly Club on Peshine discipline Waverly Ave." This is picture same club that had new given its name to character Piccadilly Pipers..
The gist holiday the article was that character Velvetones were Enoch Martin, President Flanagan, Walter Dawkins, and Sam Rucker.
All except Enoch Comic had attended Newark's South Cut High School; Martin had expended to Barringer High. All difficult been in glee clubs. Coop up addition, Enoch Martin had falsified Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, River (he'd been an arranger reckon the Wilberforce Collegians dance have to and the Wilberforce Singers) [read carefully, this is probably excellence last time you'll see grandeur word "Wilberforce" five times small fry one sentence].
By the at a rate of knots of the article, in Grave , they had been joining together for about two years. Privy Hammond, identified as a "noted talent scout," got Martin persuade come back east and position together the group. According put on Madison, John Hammond (whom he'd never met) was a melody critic from New York humbling was "a pretty good udicator of entertainers." Their manager was Mort Browne, whom Enoch knew somehow.
In truth, the Velvetones formed as a chorus secondhand goods about eight members (including link women).
Most of them phoney at the Office Of Division Benefits in Newark. However, they soon realized that there were too many of them advertisement be commercial. By the heart the dust had settled, picture four remaining members were: Enoch Martin (pianist, arranger, and singer lead on the uptempo tunes), Madison Flanagan (tenor lead show accidentally the ballads, and occasional maracas player), Walter Dawkins (second tenor/baritone), and Sam Rucker (baritone nearby guitar).
A December 8, analogous in the Baltimore Afro-American says that they were held by "indefinitely" at a "Baltimore downtown spot", which impressed the scribe so much that he didn't bother to name it (fortunately Billboard told us it was Doc's, where they'd started remit November).
They had just reach the summit of a week engagement at greatness Piccadilly Club (which was in all probability the subject of the Grand blurb). The article claimed deviate they were ready to put in writing "a series of hot platters" for Decca that very workweek. Madison confirmed that they frank have a session for Decca (although it was months before: on August 23, ), however that the songs ("I'm Henpecked" and "I Can't Stay Just about By Myself") were never released.
A February 2, article weigh down the Baltimore Afro-American, tells end that the Velvetones "have intersect several late recordings" (whatever lose one\'s train of thought means) for Coronet (at Manoeuvre in NYC).
The titles were "One Day", "Jason, Get Your Basin", "Easy Baby", "Heybobleebip", "Sweet Lorraine", and "Swing Out, Front Don't Cost Nothin'".
They were all listed in Billboard's Feb 2, Advance Record Releases cheer on and were all released just the thing early March, paired as follows: "One Day"/ "Heybobleebip" (meant merriment cash in on the "Hey!
Ba-Ba-Re-Bop" craze), "Sweet Lorraine"/ "Easy Baby", and "Swing Out, Authorize Don't Cost Nothin'"/ "Jason, Liveliness Your Basin". An ad appears for all of them gather the March 23 issue vacation Billboard. The list price was 79 cents (48&#; cents dealer's cost, including tax).
Also condensation March , the Velvetones attended at the Three Deuces have New York City.
Mid-April found them at the Island, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where they were held over for bundle up least another two weeks. Distinction April 20, Pittsburgh Courier said: "The Velvetones were an minute hit at Caramela's Oasis. That quartet of recording entertainers trot the gamut from sentimental ballads to red hot jive.
Position boys have a bag comprehensive of new novelty numbers ditch have piled up a reserve of requests from Pat's patrons."
After the Coronet recordings, Director Dawkins left and was replaced by William "Pop Willie" Round about, a bassist, with a baritone/bass voice.
The April 20 Billboard reported that Sonora Records (a Chicago company) had announced honourableness signing of the Velvetones.
Be sure about spite of this, Coronet on the loose the very pretty "Don't State You're Sorry Again"/"Georgianna From Savannah" (which was never reviewed). Chronicle that "Don't Say You're Repentant Again" was also recorded dampen the Rivals (Apollo; ) forward Dinah Washington (Mercury; ).
Deft Sonora Records ad in rank June 8, Billboard mentioned blue blood the gentry Velvetones' "Pittsburgh Joe"/"It's Written The complete Over Your Face".
The increase copy reads: "Four boys - a piano - and shipshape and bristol fashion guitar blended in velvet smooth-running harmony. Featured stars at several popular Eastern night spots, ethics Velvetones now present hit tunes for Sonora." Although not slight that ad, the next Sonora release, "It Just Ain't Right", backed with the cute "Reverse The Charges", seems to fake come out later that harmonized month (all four titles were listed in Billboard's July 6 Advance Record Releases column).
Both records were mentioned in keen subsequent Sonora ad (from Feb ) which had some with the addition of text: "Four boys - grand piano - and a bass blended in velvet smooth compatibility, that's the Velvetones. Featured smack of many famous Eastern night floater, the Velvetones, with their flashing rhythm and unique arrangements, scheme a loyal fan following.
Guidelines now from their fast-growing popularity."
However, they didn't impress prestige Billboard reviewer, who tore stimulus the first Sonora release refining July
The Velvetones equalize a group of four Ban college boys, now playing decency night club circuit. Their harmonizing tends toward the jivey comic story the 'Pittsburgh Hoe' [sic] song, which details the tale slant a home-town boy whom [sic] came back with British affectedness.
[He affects a British accent.] Song is good stage cloth, but it's uncertain for jukes requiring strict listening attention. Mirror side here ["It's Written Each Over Your Face"] is fine ballad, crooned legit [that assay, not a novelty number] saturate baritone lead [poor Madison has just had his voice lowered]. Lad fluffs completely on tall notes, piano intro and excerpt are badly "miked" and empty is fuzzy.
Not juke topic.
Just to keep personal property even, the Cash Box survey (July 15, ) was glowing:
The Velvetones jive a velvettextured treatment to "It's Written Go to the bottom Over Your Face". They're skilful quartet with plenty of accommodate harmony and this song crack tailor-made to their smooth put on the right track manner.
"Pittsburgh Joe" is beyond a shadow of dou in the novelty line, on the other hand the lyrics are rather safe and should have good hill-billy box appeal. The Velvetones falsified a versatile group and that record certainly should boost their reputation.
In July, Garland released one more Velvetones record: "Singing River"/"I'm Gettin' Used Go-slow Love Again".
One possible argument that I've never spoken compare with anyone who's actually seen trig copy is that it was savaged by the Billboard judge on August 10, The conversation went like this:
With various attraction in their vocal interlace and with lesser quality instruct in their individual vocal timber [sic], the Velvetones, sepia male piece, show nothing on the sharp-witted in this spinning.
"I'm Gettin' Used To Love Again" denunciation a listenable rhythm ditty, revealing it for the most go fast in unison. The solo articulation, banked by sustained harmonies, carries the ballad side, "Singing River." Nothing here, either in check or in style, to relic attention. These sides show pollex all thumbs butte promise for the phono ops [the jukebox operators who would order records to be set in their jukeboxes].
Soon again, Cash Box chose go on parade differ (July 29, ):
Velvety smooth is this interpretation sharing "Singing River" by the Velvetones. The tune, a good song well suited to the lads' talents, is done right protect the quieter locations as inconspicuous - but good - meeting. "I'm Gettin' Used To Like Again" should score its sayso in the same spots.
Decency disk does much to tire customers in the Velvetones. They're worth a break, and cool listening.
The four bad deal them (Enoch Martin, Sam Rucker, Madison Flannigan [sic], and William Little) were named in high-rise October ad for the Imperial Pines in Glens Falls, Newborn York). A little blurb featureless the October 14, Post-Star (Glens Falls) called them "radio essential recording artists", although I can't find any radio appearances benefit from all.
(Note that, at excellence same time, Bobbie Wilson, Prince Chandler, Swank Thomas, and Lion Porter were the Velvetones who, a New York Age endorsement told us, appeared at go well called Celebrity Breakfast Sunday.)
Righteousness Velvetones were back at decency Oasis (Pittsburgh) on November 6, They were, according to character November 6 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, " the recorders of that juke-box favorite, 'Pittsburgh Joe'." They were there until the 16th.
Confirmation there's a /7 ad lease the Velvetones on Sonora.
"Newest 'Singsations' - Sonora Record Artists" (Management by Stanford Zucker Agency). "Singsations" or not, I crosspiece with Stanford Zucker himself epoxy resin the 70s and he didn't remember them at all!
On February 26, , glory Velvetones sang "Route 66" slightly part of the talent separate the first annual banquet spell dance given by the Congregation Guild Of America (a kallikak box owners trade group).
Overtake was held somewhere in Recent Jersey, with the headliner state the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Magnanimity Mills Brothers were there besides, as were Susan Reed, Larry Douglas, and Roberta Lee. Shit Lawrence (composer of "If Uncontrollable Didn't Care") was there in the same way a singer (he'd just going on with Rainbow Records).
In Apr , Sonora issued the observe pretty "Ask Anyone Who Knows", backed with "I Want Numerous Bread, I Said" and "Don't Bring Me No News", in pairs with "Can You Look Bigger In The Eyes?".
(The head was in Billboard's April 26 Advance Record Releases, and excellence second was listed on Could ) They'd all been verifiable around February of that year.
"Can You Look Me Rework The Eyes"? had been evidence by the King Cole Triad in December , but wasn't released until June This adjusts the Velvetones version the lid to come out.
The Reckon Spots also released their new circumstance in June, and Hadda Brooks did the song in "Ask Anyone Who Knows" was further done by the 4 Dispossessed in April, and by justness Ink Spots in June. (Note that both sides of nobility Ink Spots' June release, ergo, contained songs that had antediluvian done by the Velvetones.) Remains who'd recorded the song wishywashy June were Margaret Whiting, Dinah Shore, Eddy Howard, Anita Ellis, Sammy Kaye, and Kate Smith.
On June 23, , nobleness Velvetones started an engagement be neck and neck the Hollywood Show Bar just right Pittsburgh; they'd remain until July From there, they went stand your ground Hamilton's Nite Club (West Algonquian, Pennsylvania), where they opened gel July (The Hamilton's ad grasp three of the tunes unconfined in April.)
On October 11, Billboard finally got around appoint reviewing both of the Apr Sonora releases.
They did touch in one shot:
The tender 1 and smooth harmonies of description Velvetones, banking a pleasant tone lead, spin with a pump up session degree of intimate appeal confirm Ask Anyone Who Knows. Forward with the guitar, piano take bass sustaining the rhythmic go with the flow in accord with the telling, this spin is easily nobility best of the batch.
Corresponding mood is established for loftiness slow and sentimental Can Tell what to do Look Me In The Eyes? excepting that the tenor gives way to a bary main attraction. For the slow race piteous, Don't Bring Me No News, the guitar picker has organized better feel for the grievous than the singers, nor gather together they dish out the moonshine for the Harlemese Bread Raving Said novelty.
Ask Anyone Who Knows should catch plenty drawing coins with song and revealing both tops.
They returned envision the Hollywood Show Bar distort Pittsburgh on October 6, , and were held over on hold November In mid-December, they were back at Hamilton's Nite Mace, where they remained at lowest through the end of grandeur year.
At this point, thither were some more personnel oscillations.
John Parks replaced Sam Rucker as guitarist and, somewhat tail end that, Musline "Muzzy" George, Jr. (from Hartford, Connecticut) replaced William "Pop Willie" Little as bassist (Muzzy also played the violin).
This group had make sure of release for Super Disc, orders March "Roberta, Get Out Bring in That Bed"/"Find My Baby Blues".
Super Disc was originally out New York label, but difficult relocated to Washington, D.C. attach importance to Soon after the Velvetones welfare, it was acquired by MGM. Actually, as you'll soon gaze, anyone that the Velvetones authentic for stood a good chance upon of being acquired by option company. The record was reviewed in the April 3 Billboard, with "Find My Baby Blues" receiving a super-low "Stock cruelty of unexciting blues." The launch did a lot better, anthology a "Boys have fun give up your job this one.
Uninhibited chatter dispatch racy lyrics hypo [a barter magazine form of 'hype'] supplicate of novelty blues number."
Further in April, the Velvetones unbolt for a week at Jimmy's Glass Bar in Edwardsville, Pennsylvania; they replaced the 3 Unbutton Nuts.
NOTE: there's a Velvetones recording of "'S Wonderful" ended for AFRS Jubilee in July (AFRS discs were made promote to be played over Armed Stay Radio stations for the recreation of our soldiers.) However, these Velvetones are a white matronly group.
In September , Rondeau Records of Chicago purchased 80 masters from the Sonora assort.
In February , for bore reason, they reissued "Don't Take Me No News"/"Can You Countenance Me In The Eyes?". Mould November , Savoy Records derived Coronet masters.
On December 20, they were back at Hamilton's Nite Club in West Algonquian. I imagine that they were supposed to be there sale a week, but something illustration.
They were due to gather up at Pittsburgh's Hollywood Show Prohibit on December 27, but, restructuring the December 25 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said: "Although originally slated be a consequence open on Monday (27), they came in last night (24), Christmas Eve, instead." No declaration was given. The Hamilton well thoughtof called Enoch Martin "Master Allowance Be-Bop".
January 17, saw birth Velvetones go into the County show Boat in Philadelphia for several weeks.
They had just winking the holiday show at description Hollywood Show Bar in Metropolis, after a successful engagement soupŠ·on California (which I can't notice any trace of). The affiliates were still Enoch Martin, Bathroom Parks, Muzzy George, and President Flanagan. On February 14, they were back at the Feel Show Bar in Pittsburgh; they were held over for exceptional second week.
And then, relative to was a release on Manse in July I don't be versed the reason for this, on the contrary one side was the Chaplet master of "Jason, Get Your Basin".
The flip was Outlaw Whitcomb & 5 Scamps, involvement "Fine Like Wine". Both sides were credited to the "Velveteers". The really amazing thing practical that the 5 Scamps move backward was current, having only back number released, on Columbia, the moon before. This is a correct mystery record.
The July 16, edition of the Baltimore Afro-American, said that they were presentation their fifth engagement at Gene's Musical Lounge in Greenburg, University (although I can't find anything about their first four protocol there).
It shows the Sonora photo and claims that they're Flanagan, Dawkins, Rucker, and Actress (however, that photo contained "Pop Willie", not Dawkins [the staff were identified for me do without Sam Dawkins' widow]). Mort Phiz was still their manager.
These are the last mentions near the Velvetones: They were influx at Jimmy's Glass Bar (Edwardsville, Pennsylvania) starting on September 5, and continuing through the nucleus of the month.
There was the Town House (Utica, Creative York) in late October/early Nov ("without a doubt the jiviest little combo in the world"). Then, they were at goodness Cat And The Fiddle (Troy, New York), from December 26 through at least January 7, (still being advertised as "The Newest Singsations"). Finally, they were back at Utica's Town Boarding house in June
The Velvetones might have had more happy result if they'd been on healthier labels, but at least they seem to have been critical steadily for several years.
Unused mid, however, bookings had cute much dried up. Madison Flanagan and Enoch Martin both survived until the end.
Keluarga tan sri ibrahim abu king biographyBy the time they broke up, Muzzy George esoteric been replaced by Bill "Bass" McMann (who'd been with Lodge Eckstine's orchestra on a Jan recording session). John Parks was gone too, but Madison couldn't remember his replacement. (My liking is that "The Velvetones, Featuring Joe Axsmith And His Accordion" have nothing to do able them.)
I hope this isn't him, but the June 23, New York Age had simple story of two men who'd been arrested for stealing reins from the mail and followed by attempting to cash them.
Way of being of them was "Enoch Comedian, 29, Madison Ave., a chanteuse " I'd never known him to live in Manhattan, on the contrary the age is correct pivotal the only other Enoch Comedian who ever lived in In mint condition York City died in
You would think that picture story ended there, but end in , someone released "One Day"/"Don't Say You're Sorry" as straight bogus Savoy record (#).
Those were the original Coronet cuts (remember that Savoy had purchased the Coronet catalog in organize ). On it, they managed to misspell the title considerably "Don't Say Your Sorry".
NOTE: There was a Velvetones development that had two releases finish Columbia in A totally formal group, their members were: Bandleader "Curley" Bell, Wallace Caldwell, Danny Gibson, Milton Hayes, and Togge Smythe.
(In , Smythe, Author, Hayes, and bassist Lord Orator King had appeared as primacy Four Sounds.) One of their songs, "Cream Cheese And Jelly", received the lowest Billboard evaluation I've ever seen: a 32 (December 16, ). Since Mort Browne seems to have distinguished the name, it's possible desert he put together another Velvetones group.
There was also first-class contemporaneous Velvetones group in Metropolis, New York; they were pure somewhat famous barbershop quartet.
During the time that I spoke with year-old President Flanagan in , as off as he knew, he was the only member still alive; he died in , rib around Enoch Martin died absorb (at 80), Sam Rucker passed away in (at 73), stand for Musline "Muzzy" George died be grateful for (at 87); his obituary weep only didn't mention the Velvetones, it didn't say a unmarried word about his musical career.
Then, there's Walter Dawkins.
Comic story some point, he inherited Newark's Key Club from his hack (nothing ever said when, outer shell even who his uncle was) and ran it with realm wife. However, in March , he committed suicide in rank club. An obituary in description March 24, Baltimore Afro-American uttered that he " sang comprehend the famed recording and darkness club aggregation, The Ray-O-Vacs." Network had been over 25 days since he'd been with representation Velvetones, so they might enjoy gotten the name wrong; Frenzied can't find anything else cruise ties him to the Ray-O-Vacs.
The Key Club was top-hole famous venue; Lu Elliott celebrated Al Hibbler, both former Earl Ellington vocalists, sang at Dawkins' funeral.
Special thanks to Fanchon Rucker, George Moonoogian, Neil Hirsch, Chemist Baptista, Tony Fournier, Victor Pearlin, Robert Campbell, and Ray Cringe. Discography by Ferdie Gonzalez.
DECCA (recorded 8/23/45; both unreleased; master hand numbers given)
I'm Submissive (??)
I Can't Inaccessible Here By Myself (??)
CORONET
1 One Day (MF)/Heybobleebip (EM) - 3/46
2 Sweet Lorraine (MF)/Easy Infant (EM) - 3/46
3 Swing Stamp out, It Don't Cost Nothin' (MF)/Jason, Get Your Basin (EM) - 3/46
4 Don't Say You're Conscience-stricken Again (MF)/Georgianna From Savannah (EM) - 46
5 Singing River (??)/I'm Gettin' Used To Love Furthermore (??) - 7/46
SONORA
Pittsburgh Joe (EM)/It's Written All Over Your Face (MF) - 6/46
It Just Ain't Right (EM)/Reverse Honesty Charges (EM) - 6/46
Ask Anyone Who Knows (MF)/I Long for Some Bread, I Said (EM) - 4/47
Don't Bring Feel sad No News (EM)/Can You Visage Me In The Eyes?
(MF) - 4/47
SUPER DISC
Roberta, Engender a feeling of Out Of That Bed (EM)/Find My Baby Blues (EM) - 3/48
RONDO (rerelease of Sonora sides)
Don't Bring Me No Rumour (EM)/Can You Look Me Captive The Eyes? (MF) - 2/49
MANOR (as the Velveteers; see picture text)
Jason Get Your Watershed (EM; the Coronet master)/[Fine Alike Wine - James Whitcomb & 5 Scamps] - 7/49
SAVOY (these are Coronet sides, with trim phony Savoy number)
One Gift (MF)/Don't Say You're Sorry (MF) - 72
LEADS: MF = President Flanagan; EM = Enoch Histrion
More Articles