The Greatest Johnny Otis Show [Import]

Johnny Otis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 28, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Ace Records UK
• ASIN: B0000009KU
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,993 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #17 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues > West Coast Blues
  • #43 in Music > Blues > Jump Blues

Track Listings

1. Shake It Lucy Baby - Johnny Otis

2. Ma (He's Making Eyes At Me) - Marie Adams & The Three Tons Of Joy

3. (Romance) In The Dark - Marie Adams & The Three Tons Of Joy

4. Willie And The Hand Jive - Johnny Otis

5. Bye Bye Baby - Marie Adams & Johnny Otis

6. Loop De Loop - Marie Adams

7. Can't You Hear Me Callin' - Johnny Otis

8. The Light Still Shines In My Window - Marie Adams

9. Hum Ding A Ling - Johnny Otis

10. Well Well Well - Mel Williams

11. Story Untold - Jeannie Sterling & The Moonbeams

12. All I Want Is Your Love - Marie Adams

13. Good Golly - Johnny Otis

14. You Just Kissed Me Goodbye - Mel Williams

15. Ring-A-Ling - Johnny Otis

16. Three Girls Named Molly, Doin' The Hully Gully - Johnny Otis

17. A Fool In Love - Marie Adams

18. Crazy Country Hop - Johnny Otis

19. Hey Baby, Don't You Know - Johnny Otis

20. I'll Do The Same Thing For You - Marci Lee & Johnny Otis

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

In the two short years that The Johnny Otis Show recorded for Capitol, they managed time and again to come up with some of the most eternal sides in rock 'n' roll. The legendary Mr Otis adopted the role of ringmaster, whilst the members of his revue took turns to show off their many talents. Marie Adams, the Three Tons of Joy, Mel Williams, Jeannie Sterling and Jackie Kelso all featured on the recordings, backed up by some of the very finest musicians Johnny could assemble.

Their debut Capitol single Ma, He's Making Eyes At Me truly caught the imagination of the British public and went right to the top of the charts in November, 1957.

Back home, the much loved Willie and the Hand Jive hit the US Top Ten the following summer and the whole shooting match went on to spread the word in films and TV. Future gems like Castin' My Spell, Crazy Country Hop and Mumblin' Mosie all helped to sow the seeds for the forthcoming R&B revolution in the UK with many homegrown acts from Cliff Richard to the Animals turning to the Johnny Otis repertoire for a source of material. After the disappointment of previous compilations from other companies Ace Records have finally restored the balance by bringing together the cream of the Otis crop, including wonderful rock 'n' roll tracks such as Bye Bye Baby, All I Want Is Your Love and Shake It Lucy Baby that have not appeared on CD before. This landmark release sets the facts straight on paper too, as the complexities surrounding Johnny's arrival at Capitol have never been fully documented until now. The Greatest Johnny Otis Show is no idle boast, because the team succeeded in capturing such a joyous mood, the excitement still delivers maximum entertainment value. Mr. Otis has nothing to regret.

Stuart Colman, Ace Records UK

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars LET THE BOOGIE WOOGIE ROLL!!!!!, October 12, 1998

By 

Ken Rogers (Easley, SC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Greatest Johnny Otis Show (Audio CD)

If you love Johnny Otis' brand of entertainment, this is your cup of tea. Leave it to the folks at ACE to do it right! This cd contains all the good stuff that Johnny Recorded for CAPITOL in 1956- 1958. "Willie and The Hand Jive", "Crazy Country Hop", "Castin' My Spell", Ma (He's Makin' eyes At Me) and "A Fool In Love" are the real winners in this package. THIS WAS INDEED, THE GREATEST ROCK'N ROLL REVIEW EVER TO BE ON STAGE. IT'S A MUST BUY.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great early rock n' roll, February 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Greatest Johnny Otis Show (Audio CD)

I can't say I was much aware of Johnny Otis until I stumbled across this CD. Since then, I became obsessed with finding out as much as possible about this rock n' roll hall of fame inductee. Although not a particularly great vocalist, Otis' contributions include the introducing of some of rock's earliest pioneers to the public-- including Jackie Wilson, and his live shows have been credited with giving rock its performance roots. If you like simplicity, rhythm and blues, then listen to this CD and enjoy the early sounds of great rock n' roll.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest genuine Rock & Roll show!, July 23, 2009

By 

Ronald Van Scherpenzeel (Madrid, Spain) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Greatest Johnny Otis Show (Audio CD)

Back in 1959 I bought a single called "Telephone Baby" by Johnny Otis
that I wore out because I considered this song the best Rock & Roll
song ever and kept on playing it throughout the years. I never heard of
Johnny Otis anymore (except for the hand-jive song)until 50 years later
(2 weeks back) when I came across this CD. I didn't hesitate and bought it
to have this particular song on CD. What can I say about all the other
Johnny Otis songs? Just out of this world. Pure rock & roll, R&B, Doo Wop etc. thanks to a.o. Marie Adams, Mel Williams, Marci Lee and Jeannie Sterling. To tell the truth, I had never heard of these artists which is quite logical because their music never made it to Europe nor did they have hits in the USA or the UK except for Johnny Otis. Most of the songs are from 1957 and 1958 and still are "bathed" in that genuine raw unspoiled rock & roll flavour. Almost at the end of the CD an incredible surprise: a wonderful ballad by Johnny in a Skyliners/Crests Doo Wop style with strings that very few people must have listened to. Otherwise this would have been a #1 song without any doubt. A real must!