The Mercury label (2)

Today's spotlight on what started as a modest indie in 1945, but it grew out to a major record label and a mainstay in the music industry that still exists - the Mercury label. What makes that many indies fail and other become success stories like this, I can only guess that it's a combination of a little luck and good enterpreneurship - as many indies that didn't make it, had as promising artists.

Today I also tell you about the art of vocalse - adding lyrics to instrumentals, like on one of the Mercury releases of today's show.

Transcript

Playlist

1. Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson - Old Maid Boogie (Mercury 8028)
2. Bill Samuels & the Cats 'n Jammer Three - Candy Store Jump (8029)
3. Jimmy Witherspoon - Gone With The Blues (8032)
4. Dinah Washington - I Want To Be Loved (8035)
5. Bill Samuels - I Know What You're Puttin' Down (8037)
6. Red Caps - Jack You're Dead (8038)
7. Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson - Bonus Pay (8039)
8. Albert Ammons - Kilroy Boogie (8040)
9. Jimmy Witherspoon - All My Geets Are Gone (8041)
10. Bill Samuels - Where's My Baby (8042)
11. Dinah Washington - Homeward Bound (8043)
12. Dinah Washington - I Know How To Do It (8044)
13. Trenier Twins - Buzz Buzz Buzz (8045)
14. Walter Brown - Sloppy Drunk (8046)
15. Helen Humes - Jet Propelled Papa (8047)
16. Gene Ammons & his Sextet - Red Top (8048)
17. Jimmy Witherspoon - Bar Fly Blues (8049)

Outtro:

• Wild Bill Moore Sextette - Bongo Bounce

• Kirk Kirkland - The Saxaphone Rag
• Rex Stewart - Boy Meets Horn (Mercury 8001)
• Albert Ammons - Swanee River Boogie (8022)
• Jay McShann - Jimtown Boogie (8026)
• Albert Ammons - Twelfth Street Boogie (8040)
• Gene Ammons - Idaho (8048)