Product Description
One of the holy grails of 1950s American popular music has been rescued, dusted down and polished, for fans of blues both raunchy and smooth, street corner harmony, and bittersweet soul. The legendary Music City Records of Berkeley, California was one of the longest-lived, most fiercely independent black-owned record companies of the era.

Over the course of two decades, owner Ray Dobard's release schedule reflected the evolution of black popular music, from smooth blues in the early 1950s, through R&B, instrumentals, rock'n'roll through to the end of the decade, proto-soul in the early 60s and into funk and modern soul in the 1970s. But it is the rich seam of Bay Area vocal groups that Music City mined, that collectors associate with the label. Dobard had only a couple of minor hits - the Four Deuces' popular `W-P-L-J', Johnny Heartsman's raucous `Johnny's House Party' - but released over fifty 45 rpm singles and taped much, much more.

"The Music City Story" is an unprecedented survey of the label's riches, the tapes to which have miraculously survived to provide an intimate portrait of this unique operation. The 3-disc set acts as an excellent primer for Ace's forthcoming genre-and artist-based compilations of Music City material, telling the story with both many rare gems from the catalogue, and a surfeit of previously unissued goodies.

Amongst the set's 78 tracks are names familiar to doo wop and blues collectors - the Crescendos, Gaylarks, Rovers, 5 Lyrics, Alvin Smith etc - while behind several others lurk famous names (James Brown, Lou Rawls) or others soon to be famous (Sugar Pie Desanto, members of Sly & The Family Stone). While Music City recorded many genres, from jazz to surf, the emphasis in "The Music City Story" is upon the black vocal group, be it 50s, 60s or 70s vintage.

Packaged in a slipcase, with a separate 48-page colour booklet (similar to our Theme Time Radio Hour packages). The jam-packed booklet tells the little-known story of this iconic label, with newly discovered detailed information and an array of vintage photos and memorabilia.

CD 1
1. W-P-L-J - The 4 Deuces
2. Your Money Ain't Long Enough - Del Graham With Que Martyn's Orchestra
3. Keep Me Satisfied, Baby - Golden Boy With Chick Morris & His Band
4. A Prayer - Al Joseph Harris With Chick Morris & His Band
5. Guitar Blues - Sidney Grande
6. On My Way - Alvin Smith
7. Here Lies My Love - Mr. Undertaker
8. Annie Pulled A Hum-Bug - The Midnights
9. Late Last Night - The Twilighters
10. Ichi Bon Tami-Dachi - The Rovers
11. Johnny's Stomp [Early Version] - Johnny Heartsman
12. Tell Me, Darling - The Gaylarks
13. I'm A Workin' Man - The Five Lyrics
14. Morrine - The Five Campbells
15. I Don't Stand No Quittin' - Gloria Jean
16. Crossing The River - The Dreamers
17. This Wicked Race - The Golden West Singers
18. Jerry - The Three Dons & Donna
19. Lil Tipa-Tina - The Five Swans
20. The Wheel - Jimmy Nelson
21. Wrong Doing Woman - Jasper Evans
22. Ding Dong - The Gayteens
23. From The Bottom Of My Heart - Leon Pryor
24. Bury Me In The South - Al Bennett With The Country Travellers
25. The Wallflower - Unknown Male/Female Duet
26. Big Six Radio Ad

CD 2
1. Johnny's House Party (Parts 1 & 2) - Johnny Heartsman With The Rhythm Rockers & The Gaylarks
2. Rockin' Satellite - The 3 Honeydrops
3. Just One More Chance - Lord Luther
4. Love Me Tender - The Fidels
5. Gonna Blow Out The Lamp - Gene Lee & The Blues Rockers
6. Are You My Boyfriend - Wally & Theresa
7. Indian Jane - The Marcels
8. I Need You Baby - Robbie Meldano
9. Flippin' & A-Floppin' - Pee Wee & Sugar Pie
10. Station L-O-V-E - The Holidays
11. Blues All Around My Bed - Jimmy Raney
12. Elaine - The Klixs
13. Music City Hop - Johnny George
14. Heaven's Own Choir - The Five Crystals
15. Dynamite - Kary Lynn
16. Lover's Plea - The Pagans
17. The Slopp - Willie Moore
18. Beverly My Darling - Joe Blackwell & The Individuals
19. Party At Vern's - The Satellite Band
20. My Heart's Desire - The Crescendos
21. You Gave Me Love - Lee Durrell & The Tamaras
22. I Walk In Circles - Little Lynn
23. Church On The Hill - Bob & Jessie
24. Love You All Night Long - Little Willie Littlefield
25. Mirage - The Nightcaps
26. Magnificent Montague Radio Spot

CD 3
1. Scheming - Wanda Burt & The Crescendos
2. All Around The World - Vermettya Royster With James Brown's Band
3. Ocean Of Love - The Franciscans
4. The Kasavubu Waltz - D'Vonya White
5. Nature Boy - The Four Rivers
6. Lonely One - The Derbys
7. Don't Fence Me In - Jackie Day
8. I Feel So Blue - The Italics
9. I'm Waiting - The Fantastics
10. What To Do - The Swingin' Brothers
11. You Are My Lover Girl - The Powell Brothers
12. I Can't Take Any More - Johnnie Marie Thorne
13. Something In My Eye - The Music City Soul Brothers
14. Passing Thru Music City - Music City Swingers
15. Do The Philly - The Music City All Stars
16. Too Late To Cry - Lou Rawls
17. Feeling Fine, Feeling Good - Wanda Burt
18. She's Coming Back - The Soul Brothers
19. He's All Right - The Heavenly Tones
20. Stop Telling Me - The Two Things In One
21. A Man That Is Not Free - The Soul Sensations
22. Didn't I - Darondo
23. Loving You Isn't Enough - The Ballads
24. When We Get Married (Part 2) - Tear Drop Tears
25. Farewell Goodbye My Love - The Performers
26. KYA Newsbeat Spot

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FEDV7G/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004FEDV7G/?tag=imwan-21