Repeat of Juke in the Back show about the Flamingos

For anyone who doesn't know, Matt the Cat's shows about the Flamingos in his Juke in the Back series are currently being repeated via his website and can be recommended: he plays most of their records and provides a potted version of their story along the way. At present it's Episode One, which covers the group's time on Art Sheridan's Chance Records, their first label (1953-1954);

the next part will feature sides from their next two Chicago labels, Al Benson's Parrot Records and Chess Records, then the final part will cover their unsuccessful period recording for Decca, followed by the long-hoped-for breakthrough with End Records and the huge success of I Only Have Eyes For You.

At the time of this posting you can find the first episode here; it will only remain downloadable for a few weeks so don't hang about.

If you are already familiar with this blog you will know that I favour the earlier, more R&B-flavoured version of the Flamingos, especially during their time on Chance and Parrot Records; by the time of End Records it's more pop, albeit pop of a highly sophisticated sort. Which is not to say that they were above recording pop songs during that earlier time, but the results often came with a jazzy or bluesy accompaniment which added another dimension for the listener - in those days the idea of what constituted a rock'n'roll backing hadn't yet been been set in stone, and musicians got to add solos.

While nothing matches the sublime Golden Teardrops, which you'll hear in that first episode, there are plentiful delights among the other sides for Chance, with lots of subtle musical details which repay repeated listening.

And in addition to the Flamingos' Chance releases you will also hear their version of September Song, which didn't come out till later. If you haven't heard the group beyond  I Only Have Eyes For You, before, this programme may come as a revelation.

As Matt says during the show, for more about the Flamingos then Marv Goldberg's site, here, is highly recommended.

If you want to know about my own thoughts on the Flamingos - well, I'm glad you asked, as I've written a song-by-song guide, here, to their output on their first two labels, Art Sheridan's Chance Records and DJ Al Benson's Parrot Records, before they took the brief trip to Chess Records. I'm delighted - and proud - to say that Marv Goldberg has called this "a wonderful analysis".

There is now a full-length biography of the group available, written by Todd Baptista - you can read my review of it here.