Let The Good Times Roll Shirley And Lee

£11.50

Genre:
Rhythm & Blues
Label:
Ace Records
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDCHD 751

On the heels of Fats Domino and Lloyd Price came Shirley and Lee "the Sweethearts of the Blues" who together were key figures in bringing New Orleans rhythm and blues into popular music's mainstream. Best known for their 1950s hits I'm Gone, Feel So Good, I Feel Good, and the timeless classic Let The Good Times Roll, Shirley and Lee were among the first R&B acts to be accepted by white audiences. The picture of youthful innocence, the duo were tailor made for the record buyers of era. They retained their popularity by working through most of the facets of teenage romance including break-ups, reunions, revenge, flirting, and eventually rocking all night long. Each new release was another chapter in a vinyl love affair that lasted over a decade.

Shirley Goodman and Leonard Lee were part of a teenage group which harmonized in church and on street corners. The youngsters found out that in exchange for $2 they could make a one-sided demonstration 78 rpm record at Cosimo Matassa's J&M Studio. The kids pooled their allowances and one day after school they recorded a song they'd been rehearsing. A few months later, Aladdin Records' Eddie Mesner was in New Orleans looking for talent when Matassa played him the kids' tape. Mesner went crazy when he heard Goodman's shrill voice and demanded Matassa locate her. Eventually she was found and returned to the studio where she was paired with Leonard Lee.

Shirley and Lee's initial recording, I'm Gone, produced by Dave Bartholomew, was a #2 R&B hit in 1952 and set a pattern for records which followed. The duo rarely sang in unison because the range in their voices was so far apart. Lee usually cooed or posed a question and Shirley answered in sharp innocence. Their early records rarely strayed from the 12 bar blues or Louisiana ballad structure. Their sessions usually featured top-rated New Orleans session men like saxophonists Lee Allen and Red Tyler, drummer Earl Palmer, and string bassist Frank Fields. Besides the previously mentioned hits, this collection also includes lesser-known classics like Lee's Dream, Come On And Have Your Fun, The Flirt, Rockin Around the Clock, When Day Is Done, and A Little Word, a song Lloyd Price turned into the hit Just Because. This CD collects Shirley and Lee's finest Aladdin sides and shows that they deserve to be listed along with the other greats of New Orleans music.

By Jeff Hannusch

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” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. 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 Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. 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

There's a wealth of vastly entertaining music here.

Blues & Rhythm

Customer reviews

Show

Customers who bought this item also bought