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Another edition to the 'backroom boys of soul, blues & R&B' to go along with Howard Biggs, Red Saunders, Leroy Kirkland and King Kolax. Sax Kari was a major artist in this field and spent most of his life in music, recording for a multitude of labels some of which can be heard here and when not singing he can be heard on guitar or piano.
Our selection starts with two titles recorded under his own name in 1947 with the Carolina Cotton Pickers, a long established jazz band with Anita Patterson handling the vocal on one, Kari the other, the original version of 'Signifying Monkey' later recorded by Johnny Otis & many others. Gloria Irving follows with her recording in 1953 of 'Daughter (That's Your Red Wagon)' a follow up to Ruth Brown's 'Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean' & it made the Billboard R&B charts at No.8.There's a selection with Gloria, then Bob 'Detroit Count' White before a move to Chess with Lena Gordon's only two recordings.
At this stage in his career Kari switched to the popular vocal group format with the Senators, La Fets & Kitty and The Quailtones before reverting back to the blues with Katie Watkins, a much sort after Checker 45 with Kari as Texas Red, one of his many name changes. He's also Texas Red with the Contours for the next two titles. Then back to Kari with The Alley Kats & Kitty and Little Sammy Ward before the crazy finish with his orchestra on 'Goldie The Green Eyed Octopus' a spoof title similar to 'Flying Purple People Eater' complete with sound effects!
Here we have brief snapshot of the versatility of Sax Kari, more a major force in the soul, blues & R&R field than a backroom boy.
Tracklist
1. SIGNIFYING MONKEY
2. THURSDAY BLUES
3. DAUGHTER (That's Your Red Wagon)
4. DOWN FOR DEBBIE
5. HENRY
6. YOU LET MY LOVE GROW COLD
7. GENEVA AND JOHNNY
8. HUSH YOUR LYIN' MOUTH
9. TRAIN RIDE
10. RED HOT FEELING
11. BRAND NEW GAL
12. ONE ROOM THE BLUES AND YOU
13. MAMA TOOK THE BABY
14. DISC JOCKEY JAMBOREE
15. YOU'D BETTER STOP
16. TEARS OF LOVE
17. ROXANNA
18. CHRISTMAS LETTER
19. CAN CAN ROCK & ROLL
20. TRYING TO GET YOU OFF MY MIND
21. SNAKE BLUES
22. TURN AROUND
23. COMIN' HOME
24. ROCKING CHAIR
25. ALLEY KATS
26. BEGGING FOR LOVE
27. COUNT ME IN
28. CHOCOLATE FIZZ
29. GOLDIE THE GREEN EYED OCTOPUS