FAVE 20 INSTRUMENTALS FROM....1959

20 FAVE INSTRUMENTAL RECORDS
TODAY........FROM 1959
1. PETER GUNN – DUANE EDDY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwVD3CZ90jk
My favorite version of the GREAT TV show theme.Crazy decision to hold up
single release on this in USA till 1960--maybe cost Duane a #1 Top 100
hit
2. (DO THE) MASHED POTATOES - NAT KENDRICK & THE SWANS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7SC8Z7d73o
The James Brown band moonlighting here. #8 BBr&b hit on Dade label.
Released
here in UK on Top Rank (but pretty rare--I never yet saw a copy)
3. TEEN BEAT – SANDY NELSON
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj4Qm-Wy3Ig
Introducing Mr Sandy Nelson with a transatlantic hit #4 US (on Original
Sound)
#9 UK (on Top Rank)
4. FORTY MILES OF BAD ROAD – DUANE EDDY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE5PcKFHw-M
One of Duane’s very best for Jamie - #9 BB pop #17 BB r&b #11 in UK on
London
5. ALL NITE LONG – ROBERT PARKER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttS2t_zWTH0
The future “Barefootin’” guy here with a two part scorcher on Ron label
of New Orleans
6. RED RIVER ROCK – JOHNNY & THE HURRICANES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7ImkwTnVSY
The old “Red River Valley” number is given a rock ‘n’ roll treatment
here. Big transatlantic hit #5 on both BBpop and r&b on Warwick label #3
in UK on London
7. MUMBLIN’ GUITAR – BO DIDDLEY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp2-U3tB_QA
A highspot of the Checker album “Have Guitar Will Travel” was this
fierce fast instrumental piece. Go,Bo.Go!!
8.. WOO HOO – THE ROCK-A-TEENS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj04wwHv1j8
Instrumental sextet from Richmond Va first released on Doran label then
on Roulette. Charted #16 BB pop. Released UK on Columbia but failed to
chart here.
9. TORQUAY – THE FIREBALLS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfUieKay81M
Hailing from New Mexico and recording prolifically for Norman Petty
here’s their first hit for Top Rank (#39 BB pop). Released in UK on Top
Rank also but did not chart here despite a decent amount of airplay.
10. THE THEME FROM “A SUMMER PLACE” – PERCY FAITH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJN-tZnLdcY
Straight out and out pop but a movie theme on Columbia (Philips in UK)
I’ve always really liked. Hugely popular on both sides of the puddle
(but not till 1960) #1 BBpop #2 BB r&b (!) and #4 here in UK.
11. JET TONE BOOGIE – THE JET TONES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0wASfLkFhs
Flipside of the most obscure 1959 version of “Kansas City” (Rocky Olson
on Chess).Some copies were apparently credited to “Rocky Olson & The Jet
Tones” but I’ve never seen one---and I’ve seen HUNDREDS of copies of
this single (in the famous “Chess mountain” warehouse find)
12. HARLEM NOCTURNE – THE VISCOUNTS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIdgddIJUnI
Moody revival on Madison of the old jazz standard #52BBpop #17 BBr&b.
Released UK on Top Rank but did not chart. Not to be confused with the
then popular UK vocal group of that name (these Viscounts hailed from
Sopranoland)
13. CROSSFIRE – JOHNNY & THE HURRICANES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0-Bw-xKg3g
Their debut record originally on Twirl label before Warwick. Whitburn
has that release in 1958 but Johnny Paris told us it was 1959 (as 45cat
has it). Released on Warwick where it reached #23 BB pop. On London here
in UK but didn’t chart
14. THE BEAT – THE ROCKIN’ R’S
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwkG2mcf_Es
This trio (named such as two lead members were both named “Ron”) hailed
from Metamora Ill and charted at #57 with this memorable instrumental on
Tempus label. Released UK on London but non-charting
15. SMOKIE-PART 2 – BILL BLACK’S COMBO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXxEa6vb2vw
The record that introduced the long running “Bíll Black’s Combo” on Hi
label to the world---and a #1 r&b hit in USA (#17 BB pop). Released on
Felsted in UK but non-charting
16. YEP! – DUANE EDDY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kreCBGJH_AU
Graced by the presence of the sax of Mr Plas Johnson this insistent opus
is one of Duane’s real classics IMO. On Jamie of course it was flipped
by “Three-30-Blues” (reached #30 BB pop) but in UK it was the flip of
“Peter Gunn” on London (charted in its own right at #17)
17. BULLDOG – THE FIREBALLS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVLd9AnrfGk
Their followup on Top Rank to “Torquay”---that actually turned out to be
the bigger hit. Charted at #24 BB pop. Was also a Top Rank release in UK
but did not chart
18. THE BLAST – RUSTY ISABELL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQG0yrgDOpE
This decent piano based rocker from the one-time Rio Rockers on Capitol
member
(“Mexicali Baby”) is my favorite side of this non-charting Brent single
(see below for the “Firewater” topside). Sadly no UK release
19. THE HUNCH – PAUL GAYTEN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzMVEVPU6uk
The very final chart entry (#68 BB pop) for the veteran r&b star-here on
the Anna label (shortly to be absorbed into the fledgling but growing
Motown concern in Detroit). A #68 hit BB pop
20. SLEEP WALK – SANTO & JOHNNY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFIgrnOCtKA
Another classic pop instrumental I always liked from this pair of
Brooklyn brothers bearing and sharing the Farina name, Signed to
Canadian-American “Sleep Walk” rose to #1 BB pop and  even #4 BBr&b. In
UK it appeared on Pye International and charted #23
BUBBLING UNDER
21. JET II – THE ROYAL ROCKERS
22 THE QUIET THREE – DUANE EDDY
23. FIREWATER – RUSTY ISABELL
24. REVEILLE ROCK – JOHNNY & THE HURRICANES
25 TAKE FIVE – DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET *
*Yeah,I know! A modern jazz (ugh) recording. And on my faves list too!!
Who said the age of wonders is over??  😊
WISHING EVERYBODY HERE A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!