Robert Parker – Barefootin’ (1966)

FrontCover1Saxman and singer Robert Parker is one of the originals in postwar New Orleans R&B and rock & roll, his career starting out right alongside the likes of Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew. Born in New Orleans in 1930, he took up the saxophone as a teenager and in 1949 was playing behind Professor Longhair, including his hit “Mardi Gras in New Orleans” that year. Over the next decade, he played with Domino, Ernie K-Doe, Irma Thomas, Earl King, Eddie Bo, Frankie Ford, and Huey “Piano” Smith, among many others. He signed as a solo act with Ace in 1958 and cut his debut single, “June Teen” b/w “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” that same year. In 1959, on the Ron label, he had his first hit, an instrumental entitled “All Night Long, Pts. 1 & 2,” which charted regionally. He cut sides for Imperial and Booker Records in the early ’60s, and in 1965 signed with Nola Records. It was there that he enjoyed his biggest hit, in RobertParker1966, with the release of his first Nola single, “Barefootin'” b/w “Let’s Go Baby,” which soared to number two on the R&B chart and number seven on the pop chart. The company, after some considerable delay, issued ten more singles and an LP from Parker, but he was never able to repeat the success of that first single; oddly enough, although his success was highly intermittent in the United States, Parker did much better with British audiences, and toured England regularly during the second half of the 1960s. By 1969, Parker moved on to Silver Fox Records in 1969, and was later shifted over to SSS International, the principal label of Silver Fox’s co-owner, Shelby Singleton. His own recording career had ended by the close of the 1970s, but Parker remained busy as a performer for years afterward, and he capped his recording history in 1984 with a new version of “Barefootin’.” (by Bruce Eder)

This is a great and rare soul album from the Sixties !

RobertParker2Personnel:
Robert Parker (vocals, saxophone)
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a bunch of unknown studio musicians

BackCover1Tracklist:
01. Barefootin’ (Parker) 2.33
02. Let’s Go, Baby (Where The Action Is) (Parker) 2,28
03. Mr. Pitful (Redding/Copper) 2.35
04. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (Redding) 2.53
05. Soul Kind Of Living (Frank/Val) 2.49
06. C. C. Rider (Parker) 3.00
07. The Scratch (Parker) 2.35
08. Happy Feet (Parker) 2.13
09. In The Midnight Hour (Copper/Pickett) 2.30
10. Directly From My Heart (Penniman) 3.46
11. Heading For A Fall (Frank/Val) 2.28
12. I Can’t Help Myself (Holland/Dozier/Holland) 2.27

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Various Artists – New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (1976)

FrontCover1This wonderful set of live recordings may have a few flaws audio-wise here and there, but there’s something in the excitement of the proceedings captured here that nullifies all of that. For sheer class, it’s hard to beat Irma Thomas’ or Allen Toussaint’s turns with the crowd, just as it’s impossible to ignore the loose and jagged performances of legends like Lightnin’ Hopkins and Professor Longhair, perhaps the centerpieces of this unheralded work of genius. The real thing in front of the hometown crowd, this is one modern-day live album with some spirit to it. (by Cub Koda)

Once a year, during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, some of the greatest artists the Crescent City has to offer get together to revel in their colourful past and give fans a sample of what’s in store for the future. The 1976 Jazz & Heritage Festival was no exception to this tradition. The music contained within is not only indicative of the time it was recorded but also transcends time by affecting the popular music being produced today by bands like Galactic.

Most of the tracks on this album were recorded on April 9, 10, and 11 at the R&B segment of the festival. The album contains performances by jazz progenitors and New Orleans greats such as, Professor (‘Fess) Longhair, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Lee Dorsey, Ernie K-Doe, Robert Parker, Earl King, and Lightnin’ Hopkins.

This is some of the most heartfelt and feel-good music I’ve heard in a while and it’s bound to make you feel the same way. (onepointeightseconds.blogspot)

AlternateFrontCoverAlternate frontcover

In 1989 this album was re-rleased by Rhino Records with a complete different cover and artwork.

Tracks 1 to 5 rec. on riverboat “President” 9/4/1976.
Tracks 8, 9, 12 to 14 & 17 to 21 rec. New Orleans Fairgrounds 11/4/1976.
Tracks 6, 7, 15 & 16 rec. Sea-Saint Recording Studio 11/9/1976.
Tracks 10 & 11 rec. Sea-Saint Recording Studio 26/9/1976.

Booklet1Tracklist:

Allen Toussaint:
01. High Life (Toussaint) 1.56
02. Sweet Touch Of Love (Toussaint) 3.09
03. Play Something Sweet (Toussaint) 3.48
04. Shoorah, Shoorah (Toussaint) 3.33
05. Freedom For The Stallion (Toussaint) 3.33

Lee Dorsey:
06. Workin’ In A Coal Mine (Toussaint) 2.40
07. Holy Cow (Toussaint) 3.24

Ernie K-Doe:
08. Ain’t It The Truth (K-Doe) 4.09
09. Mother-In-Law (Toussaint) 3.01

Robert Parker:   
10. Barefootin’ (Parker) 3.17
11. Country Side Of Life (Parker) 2.56

Irma Thomas & The Tommy Ridgley Band:
12. You Can Have My Husband But Please Don’t Mess With My Man (La Bostrie) 3.29
13. Cry On (Neville) 3.08
14. I Done My Part (Neville) 2.43

Earl King: 
15. Mama & Papa (Johnson) 4.36
16. Trick Bag (Johnson) 4.39

Lightnin’ Hopkins:  
17. Mojo Hand (Hopkins) 3.13
18. Baby Please Don’t Go (Hopkins) 3.27
19. All Night Long (Hopkins) 3.42

Professor Longhair:   
20. Tipitina (Byrd) 3.29
21. Mardi Gras In New Orleans (Byrd) 2.56

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