Customer Reviews

Capitol Years

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From roughly 1958-1960 Johnny Otis charted 4 times on the Billboard Hot 100, all of the records being on Capitol, including "Willie and the Hand Jive" which went to # 9. All four tracks from the EP are here-- "Willie", "Willie Did the Cha Cha" "Ring-A-Ling" and "Crazy Country Hop". Some of the other singles are: "Castin' My Spell", "Mumblin' Mosie", "Telephone Baby" and "Can't You Hear Me Callin'". Also included are several tracks from that high dollar Capitol LP, "The Johnny Otis Show", including Marie Adams' rendition of "Ma (He's Making Eyes at Me)". So how is it? If you like "Willie and the Hand Jive", you'll like this disc. This was Johnny's attempt to become more commerical and the 24 tracks here are a fine document of that attempt. Oh, yes, there are also a few previously unreleased tracks`including the old Peggy Lee/Benny Goodman hit, "Why Don't You Do Right?" (instrumental), "Voodoo Woman" and "Vine Street Swing". Friends, this disc is one whale of a rocker. Check it out!!!

Johnny Otis was a master at reinventing himself to keep up with the times, from the hardcore rhythm and blues (emphasis on blues) of the 40s to the R-rated urban funk of the 70s. This collection documents a period during the 50s when he popified his R&B to appeal to a (teenage?) rock and roll audience. I'll admit, this isn't my favorite period, but some of this stuff is pretty amazing. "Castin' My Spell" is about as cool a track as you'll hear anywhere. But "Ma (He's Making Eyes at Me)"? Ouch!

this CD focuses on Johnny's releases on Capital in the early 60's with the emphasis on songs that he actually sings, instead of the featured singers he usually had with his band. Good rock and roll, ypou will enjoy it if you are a fan of his muxic.

Whilst it collects a number of his best recordings for Capitol, this Johnny Otis collection falls well short of Ace's far superior comp of Otis' Capitol years - "The Greatest Johnny Otis Show" - also available from Amazon. After track 17, the unissued material, which makes up the balance of the CD, is pure padding and probably should have remained unissued. No complaints with the sound quality, however I'm not sure what the compiler was thinking when he arrived at the line-up for this set, as he's clearly missed the opportunity to match it with the package from Ace.
Only for completists of Johnny Otis.