Little Sonny Jones- New Orleans R&B Gems

Little Sonny Jones (April 15, 1931 – December 17, 1989) was an American New Orleans blues singer and songwriter. He was born Johnny Jones in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, and started singing professionally in the late 1940s. He befriended Fats Domino and, whilst working together, was given his nickname by Domino. In 1953 he released his debut single, "Do You Really Love Me" / "Is Everything Allright?", on Specialty. Jones recorded a further four songs for Imperial in 1954, which were produced by Dave Bartholomew, but all releases failed to find a commercial market. His connection with Domino endured and, up to 1961, Jones remained as Domino's opening act. Jones tracks included the blues standard, "Farther Up the Road".

Jones was employed as the vocalist by a New Orleans based band led by the brothers, David and Melvin Lastie, until the late 1960s. Jones also had regular employment at a sugar factory. He returned to the recording studio in 1975, and issued his album, New Orleans R&B Gems, initially on the Netherlands based Black Magic label. With contributions from veteran musicians including Dave "Fat Man" Williams, the record faithfully copied the R&B style and sound of the 1950s. It was re-issued in 1995 by Black Top.

Jones was a regular performer at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
In December 1989, Jones died of heart failure in New Orleans, at the age of 58.

Earl King - Sexual Telepathy

In the early 90's the great Earl King had one last burst of creativity and did two killer albums for Black Top Records that gave us 23 mostly new songs from one of the greatest singer/songwriters New Orleans has ever known. The first of these was 'Sexual Telepathy', which features my all time favorite EK song 'Time for the Sun to Rise'. That song is playing right now and it still gives me a little chill...too, too pretty. Earl is backed three bands: a NOLA allstar group, Ronnie Earl's Broadcasters and his own Antone's House band. Every arrangement is super tight, and Mark Kazamov's Kamikazi Horns rock the session on every tune. Earl's singing is stronger than ever and the songs...oh, the songs.

I promise this will put some glide in yo stride, a dip in yo hip and some stuff in yo strut. If you ain't hip to Earl King then you'd best get busy!

Earl King - Sexual Telepathy

Black Top Records 1990

1) Old Mr Bad Luck
2) I'll Take You Back Home
3) A Weary Silent Night
4) Time for the Sun to Rise
5) No One More for the Road
6) Going Public
7) Love is the Way of Life
8) Sexual Telepathy
9) Happy Little Nobody's Waggy Tail Dog
10) Always a First Time
11) Make A Better World

Earl King vocals, guitar, songs, George Porter Jr bass, Kenny Blevins drums, Ron Levy organ, Snooks Eaglin guitar, Ronnie Earl guitar, Mark Kazamov sax solos, Mr. Excello tenor sax, Keith Winkling trumpet, Saxy Boy tenor sax, Dickie Reed piano, organ, Steve Gomes bass, Per Hanson drums, Derek O'Brian guitar, Floyd Domino organ, Sarah Brown bass, George Raines drums

Earl King - Hard River to Cross

Numba two of the fine Black Top Earl King releases came out some four years later and is every bit the equal of 'Sexual Therapy'. Just one mind f*** band of New Orleans big boys on this one. George Porter Jr and Dave Torkanowsky head up a cast of heavyweights that also includes Snooks Eaglin, Herman Ernest III, Sammy Berfect, and a revamped version of Mark 'Kaz' Kazimov's Kamikazi Horns. I actually read a review by a truly clueless and nationally published individual (who shall remain nameless) this morning in which he stated that Earl's singing was his weak point and didn't seem to come easily. Who the hell was he talking about and what the hell was he listening to? This man was an absolutely killer singer! Now if you were going to criticize his guitar playing I'd have to go along, but to cap on his singing just proves you ain't listening. At least he recognized that the songs were especially good. If you are just digging the crap out of these be aware that there is a glorious live recording of Earl from Tips about 2 months back on this blog.

Earl King - Hard River to Cross
Black Top Records 1994


1) Medieval Days
2) Seduction
3) Hard River to Cross
4) Clairvoyant Lady
5) It Hurts to Love Someone
6) No City Like New Orleans
7) You Better Know
8) Big Foot
9) Your Love Means More to Me Than Gold
10) I'm Still Holding On
11) Handy Wrap
12) Love Can Save the World

Earl King vocals, songs, guitar, George Porter Jr bass, production
Dave Torkanowsky piano, organ, keyboards, production,
Sammy Berfect organ, Snooks Eaglin guitar,
Herman 'the German' Ernest drums, Mark Kazimov all sax solos
Ernest Youngblood Jr tenor sax, JB Goode tenor sax,
Keith Winking trumpet, Rick Trolsen trombone