Episode #110 - Aladdin Records Story Pt. 1
From: Matt "The Cat" Baldassarri
Series: Juke In The Back With Matt The Cat
Length: 59:02
The Aladdin Records Story: Part 1
The "Juke In The Back" begins a two part special on one of the most important record labels of the pre-rock era, Aladdin Records. Eddie and Leo Mesner started Aladdin as Philo Records in 1945. It was one of the first independent labels on the West Coast and sought to fill in the R&B void left by major labels like Victor, Decca and Columbia. The Mesners hired Maxwell Davis to help with musical arrangements and back up their artists and got the label off to a jumpin' start. In February of 1946, Philo became Aladdin and a record label icon was born. With artists like Johnny Moore's Three Blazers featuring Charles Brown, Helen Humes, Illinois Jacquet, Wynonie Harris, Amos Milburn and some rare releases from a young Robins group, how could Aladdin possibly fail? They didn't and in the process, they helped propel rhythm & blues into the mainstream, paving the way for the emergence of Rock n' Roll. This week's show focuses on the beginning of the label from 1945-49 and next week's show will feature 1950 to the birth of Rock n' Roll. Grab some nickels, because the party's getting ready to start down at the Chicken Shack...with Matt The Cat and the "Juke In The Back."
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Related Pieces
Piece Description
The Aladdin Records Story: Part 1
The "Juke In The Back" begins a two part special on one of the most important record labels of the pre-rock era, Aladdin Records. Eddie and Leo Mesner started Aladdin as Philo Records in 1945. It was one of the first independent labels on the West Coast and sought to fill in the R&B void left by major labels like Victor, Decca and Columbia. The Mesners hired Maxwell Davis to help with musical arrangements and back up their artists and got the label off to a jumpin' start. In February of 1946, Philo became Aladdin and a record label icon was born. With artists like Johnny Moore's Three Blazers featuring Charles Brown, Helen Humes, Illinois Jacquet, Wynonie Harris, Amos Milburn and some rare releases from a young Robins group, how could Aladdin possibly fail? They didn't and in the process, they helped propel rhythm & blues into the mainstream, paving the way for the emergence of Rock n' Roll. This week's show focuses on the beginning of the label from 1945-49 and next week's show will feature 1950 to the birth of Rock n' Roll. Grab some nickels, because the party's getting ready to start down at the Chicken Shack...with Matt The Cat and the "Juke In The Back."
Broadcast History
"Juke In The Back" airs on over 20 radio stations each week in the US and is now carried worldwide over Voice Of America's Music Mix Network.
Transcript
Juke In The Back #110 - Playlist
1. Swanee River Boogie – Albert Ammons – Mercury 1947
2. Flyin’ Home Pt 1 & 2 - Illinois Jacquet & His All-Stars – Philo 1945
4. He May Be Your Man – Helen Humes & The Bill Doggett Octet – Philo 1945
5. Be-Baba-Leba - Helen Humes & The Bill Doggett Octet – Philo 1945
6. Baby Don’t You Cry – Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers – Philo 1945
7. Driftin’ Blues – Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers – Philo 1945
8. When I’m In My Tea – Jo Jo Adams With Maxwell Davis & His Band – Aladdin 1946
9. Down The Road Apiece – Amos Milburn – Aladdin 1946
10. Guitar In My Hand – Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown Singing And Accompanying Himself On Guitar With Maxwell Davis & His Orch – Aladdin 1947
11. GREAT 78 – (I Don’t Stand A) Ghost Of A Chance – Wynonie “Mr. Blues” Harris & His All-Stars Accompanied By The Harlemaires – Aladdin 1947
12. Chicken Shack Boogie – Amos Milburn – Aladdin 1...
Read the full transcript
Intro and Outro
INTRO:This week, the "Juke In The Back" features one of the most important independent record labels in post-WWII R&B, Aladdin Records. This is part one of a two part series on a label that featured Charles Brown, Amos Milburn, Helen Humes and many more.
OUTRO:If you enjoyed the music you heard on this week's show, please visit www.jukeintheback.org for more information on the music you heard on the "Juke In The Back."
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