The Greatest Johnny Otis Show

Okay, let me say first off that I am not impressed by the response from the 30 of you who have downloaded nearly every post here...you have had time to listen so speak up or the door can be locked at any time!

1. Shake It Lucy Baby - Johnny Otis
2. Ma (He's Making Eyes At Me) - Marie Adams   The Three Tons Of Joy
3. (Romance) In The Dark - Marie Adams   The Three Tons Of Joy
4. Willie And The Hand Jive - Johnny Otis
5. Bye Bye Baby - Marie Adams   Johnny Otis
6. Loop De Loop - Marie Adams
7. Can't You Hear Me Callin' - Johnny Otis
8. The Light Still Shines In My Window - Marie Adams
9. Hum Ding A Ling - Johnny Otis
10. Well Well Well - Mel Williams
11. Story Untold - Jeannie Sterling   The Moonbeams
12. All I Want Is Your Love - Marie Adams
13. Good Golly - Johnny Otis
14. You Just Kissed Me Goodbye - Mel Williams
15. Ring-A-Ling - Johnny Otis
16. Three Girls Named Molly, Doin' The Hully Gully - Johnny Otis
17. A Fool In Love - Marie Adams
18. Crazy Country Hop - Johnny Otis
19. Hey Baby, Don't You Know - Johnny Otis
20. I'll Do The Same Thing For You - Marci Lee   Johnny Otis
21. What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For? - Marie Adams
22. Willie Did The Cha Cha - Johnny Otis
23. Mumblin' Mosie - Johnny Otis
24. Let The Sun Shine In My Life - Johnny Otis
25. Castin' My Spell - Marci Lee   Johnny Otis
26. Telephone Baby - Marci Lee   Johnny Otis

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
by Stuart Colman

In the two short years that The Johnny Otis Show recorded for Capitol, they managed time and again to come up with some of the most eternal sides in rock'n'roll. The legendary Mr Otis adopted the role of ringmaster, whilst the members of his revue took turns to show off their many talents. Marie Adams, the Three Tons of Joy, Mel Williams, Jeannie Sterling and Jackie Kelso all featured on the recordings, backed up by some of the very finest musicians Johnny could assemble.



Their debut Capitol single Ma, He's Making Eyes At Me truly caught the imagination of the British public and went right to the top of the charts in November, 1957.

Back home, the much loved Willie and the Hand Jive hit the US Top Ten the following summer and the whole shooting match went on to spread the word in films and TV. Future gems like Castin' My Spell, Crazy Country Hop and Mumblin' Mosie all helped to sow the seeds for the forthcoming R&B revolution in the UK with many homegrown acts from Cliff Richard to the Animals turning to the Johnny Otis repertoire for a source of material. After the disappointment of previous compilations, from other companies Ace Records have finally restored the balance by bringing together the cream of the Otis crop, including wonderful rock'n'roll tracks such as Bye Bye Baby, All I Want Is Your Love and Shake It Lucy Baby that have not appeared on CD before. This landmark release sets the facts straight on paper too, as the complexities surrounding Johnny's arrival at Capitol have never been fully documented until now. The Greatest Johnny Otis Show is no idle boast, because the team succeeded in capturing such a joyous mood, the excitement still delivers maximum entertainment value. Mr. Otis has nothing to regret.   

Personnel: Johnny Otis (vocals, drums); Marie Adams & The Three Tons of Joy, Marci Lee, Mel Williams (vocals); Jimmy Nolen (guitar); Fred Harmon, Jackie Kelso (saxophone); George Washington , Art Matthews (trombone); Curtis Counce (double bass); Leard Bell (drums).