The Big Sound

Mary Wells - I'm Gonna Stay
Mary Wells - The One Who Really Loves You

Today's selections include Motown's Mary Wells' first hit, The One Who Really Loves You, which was released in 1962 when she was just 19. Both tunes are killer, but I'm mostly feeling the flip side, I'm Gonna Stay -- Wells' vocals are heartfelt and the production, courtesy of Smokey Robinson, is beautifully sparse.

Another Old Mose

Cozy Cole - Ol' Man Mose

An ol' Diddy Wah favourite, Cozy Cole, moves from the drum kit to the microphone to gruffly talk through this slower version of Ol' Man Mose from 1962. He's fronting the Alan Hartwell big band on this recording, which also features Alan's wife, Savina Harwell, on backing vocals.

Ol' Man Mose

Gerry Brown's Jazzmen - Ol' Man Mose

Well, it's been quite a hiatus. I'm back from India, but with no Indian 45s. I'm sure they exit, I did see a few 78s, but I was too distracted by everything else going on to give record shopping my full attention -- a change is as good as a holiday, and all that...

Today's selection is from the UK. Gerry Brown and his Jazzmen recorded this version of Ol' Man Mose in 1961. It's a cracking swing tune, written by the incomparable Louis Armstrong and recorded by many. Soon after this was released, Gerry Brown's Jazzmen were chosen to tour as backing band with the man himself.