Customer Reviews

Ain't Got No Home: Best of

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4 star:		(4)
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If you're a 50's R&B collector, you probably own this by now, but if you just like the song 'ain't got no home', this one is definately worth picking up. I've had my copy since the age of 14 or so and it's been played a million times! The first 3 or 4 songs have that same fun, bouncy feel. As for the rest, you'll hear a good sampling of the man's work. It may take a little to get used to the rest of the alblum, as the later material has a different sound, (mostly mellow love ballads) but altogether - not bad! If you like New Orleans sounds of Fats, Smiley Lewis, Lloyd Price or Huey "piano" Smith, You'll like this one.

Although "Frogman" may have broken into radio play with his novelty song "Ain't Got No Home (I'm a Lonely Frog)" this CD contains much that is enduring in R&B. The liner notes reveal that Henry's idol was Fats Domino, and one listen proves that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Cut after cut contains the rolling piano and lyrical phrasing Fats made famous. I found the arrangements infectious and the pacing enjoyable. This is music which can be played for your grandmother or your grandchild, guaranteed to bring a smile. Buy it!

As a native New Orleanian,I can tell you that this music epitomizes this cities' past influence on rock and roll as well as R&B.And Algiers is in the city of New Orleans on the West bank.

Clarence Henry was born in Algiers - no not that Algiers but a little burgh in Louisiana - on March 19, 1937. At age 19, and having no previous recording experience, he manage to get himself a contract with Argo, cutting the novelty Ain't Got No Home b/w Troubles, Troubles. Released in late 1956 with Paul Gayten & His Orchestra backing, and billed as Clarence Henry "Frog Man" because of his vocal tricks on the A-side, the disc reached # 3 R&B and # 20 Billboard Top 100 in February 1957, making him a true overnight success.

But when nothing else immediately clicked on either chart, the bosses at Argo figured they had themselves another of those "one hit wonders" that seemed to be coming and going with regular monotony throughout the industry.

Indeed, even though the label stuck with him, it wasn't until 1961 that he returned to the charts with But I Do b/w Just My Baby And Me. This brought him back to prominence, reaching # 4 Billboard Hot 100 and # 9 R&B in April (note: if you have an original Argo 5378 45 of this hit penned by Bobby Charles, it may show it as I Don't Know Why, although most pressings showed But I Do).

In June he was back with the 1944 Mills Brothers hit, You Always Hurt The One You Love b/w Little Suzy, taking it to # 11 R&B and # 12 Hot 100. Three months later he had Lonely Street (not the same as the Andy Williams 1959 hit) reach # 19 R&B and # 57 Hot b/w Why Can't You. After that the hits became scarce with On Bended Knees going to # 64 Hot 100 in November 1961, followed by A Little Too Much which could only manage # 77 Hot 100 in January 1962.

As another reviewer says, this is a joyous little compilation that will offer delight to one and all. And not only do you get all six of his hit singles, but three of the flipsides as well.

I recently purchased this CD for the hit "Aint Got No Home" and found the rest of the CD to be of Quality recording! I'm very happy to have bought this CD. My only concern is via shipping my Case for the CD was Cracked and would like a replacement! Music is great and the Frogman's hit will last an eternity! R LopeZ

Trouble and I Ain't Got No Home. ---- Seriously, does anything else need to be said?

They make me feel happy.

I just wish they were in the Jukeboxes in the bars!!!!!!!!!!!

This I had never heard before either untill I got the CD and I loved it.

this is the best cd ive brought so far i absolutely love it 100% want more cd s from him soon this is a highly recomended cd

Found out he was a singing star long before the hit parade successes of BUT I DO, YOU ALWAYS HURT etc!

Born in New Orleans in early 1937, the 19-year Clarence Henry Jr. had his first American R`n'B hit in December 1956 with his self-penned "Ain't Got No Home".

In one of the verses of Argo 5259, he began aping and croaking a 'lonely' frog - and the nickname stuck with him for everything afterwards. Which is a shame in some ways, because it kind of pigeonholed him as a one-trick pony - a type of novelty act - and this wonderful 18-track US-only CD compilation from 1994 will go a long way to changing that hopefully - because frankly it's a bit of a revelation.

Here's a track-by-track breakdown - all songs are Argo USA 7" singles (Chess label subsidiary) except 9 and 12, which are album cuts (42:01 minutes):

1. Ain't Got No Home (1956, Argo 5259, A)
2. Troubles, Troubles (1956, Argo 5259, B)
3. Lonely Tramp (1957, Argo 5266, A)
4. It Won't Be Long (1957, 5273, A)
5. Baby Baby Please (1958, Argo 5305, A)
6. I'm In Love (1958, Argo 5305, B)
7. (I Don't Know Why) But I Do [aka "But I Do"] (March 1961, Argo 5378, A)
8. Just My Baby And Me (1961, Argo 5378, B)
9. Your Picture (1961 USA LP "You Always Hurt The One You Love" on Argo 4009)
10. You Always Hurt The One You Love (May 1961, Argo 5388, A)
11. Lonely Street (August 1961, Argo 5395, A)
12. I Love You, Yes I Do (1961 USA LP "You Always Hurt The One You Love" on Argo 4009)
13. Standing In The Need Of Love (1961, Argo 5401, A)
14. On Bended Knees (1961, Argo 5401, B)
15. A Little Too Much (1961, Argo 5408, A)
16. Lost Without You (1962, Argo 5414, A)
17. Long Lost And Worried (1964, Argo 5480, A)
18. Looking Back (1964, Argo 5480, B)

The 16-page booklet has affectionate and informative liner notes by DAVE "DADDY COOL" BOOTH of Canada's Showtime Archives. There's a cool centre photo spread of Henry with THE BEATLES (he opened for 18 of their 1964 dates) while there's even a snap of him and his band arriving off a plane in Kingston Jamaica in 1957.

ERICK LABSON, who has almost exclusively handled the vast CHESS catalogue across the decades (over 800 mastering credits to his name), has outdone himself on this compilation with tape transfers, because the clarity of sound is just BEAUTIFUL - clear as a bell - warm and lovely all the way.

Two principal songwriters loom large too - his fellow label mate and Piano player PAUL GAYTEN (wrote 4 of the songs and played on others) while ROBERT GUIDRY (stage name Bobby Charles of "See You Later, Alligator" fame) had his hand in 7 of the others.

"Long Lost And Worried" is a DR. JOHN cover version while "Standing in The Need Of Love" and the infectious "On Bended Knees" feature BOOTS RANDOLPH on Tenor sax, BILL JUSTIS on Guitar and FLOYD CRAMER on Piano. Another superb contributor is ALLEN TOUSSAINT whose Piano work is featured on "You Always Hurt The One You Love", "Lonely Street", the sweet "Just My Baby And Me" and my personal favourite - the lovely "Your Picture".

Fans should also note that a really good previously unreleased Henry recording called "Lady With The Hat Box" turned up on Disc 2 of the stunning "Chess Rhythm & Roll" 4CD Box Set from 1994 on USA MCA (recorded in June 1957 in New Orleans) - it's not included on here unfortunately - but it and the box are worth seeking out - see my separate review.

It all ends with the slow reminiscing of "Looking Back", an apt choice of song that BROOK BENTON co-wrote with CLYDE OTIS and BILL HENDRICKS - very nice indeed.

While the huge shadow of Fats Domino and his New Orleans Rhythm 'n' Blues style hangs over almost every track, Henry wasn't just a mere copyist, he had a charm all of his own - and this is still far better than I ever expected it to be. And it's dirt cheap too...

A lovely CD and well done to all involved. Recommended.