The Original Cleanhead Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson

£8.11

Genre:
Blues
Label:
Flying Dutchman
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDCHM 1408

This product is also available in these versions:
The Original Cleanhead (MP3), MP3 (£7.99)

By the mid-60s Eddie Vinson was fondly remembered and semi-retired. He had blazed a trail through the early days of post-War black music as one of the pioneers who pushed the last days of swing into the first days of rhythm and blues. In an exhilarating period in the mid to late 40s he went from being the featured vocalist in the Cootie Williams Big Band to fronting his own group. If you listen to his recordings from that time, you can hear the music developing in front of your ears. ‘Red Blues’, his first hit, sounds very much like a swing record. ‘Somebody’s Got To Go’, his final chart-topper with Williams from two years later, is a blues. Jump forward a couple of years, to his records with smaller groups for Mercury and King, the music has become rhythm and blues.

In the 50s, as the hits dropped off, Vinson made a dignified retreat to his hometown ofHouston,Texas, emerging only occasionally to make a new record or perform a short tour. He became more revered in doing so. His time with Williams, and the calibre of the sidemen in his own band, meant he was remembered not just for his blues voice, but also his bop-influenced alto saxophone playing. He was properly placed in people’s minds as a retired star, rather than a has-been.

Bob Thiele had made a record with Vinson in 1967 for ABC’s Bluesway label. When Thiele launched his BluesTime imprint a couple of years later, he tempted Vinson out toLos Angelesto record again. Unlike other albums for BluesTime, there was no attempt to modernise his music. “The Original Cleanhead” was unadulterated swinging R&B, the missing link between Louis Jordan and rock’n’roll, featuring versions of several of his old classics, a new tune and some instrumentals to show off the players’ chops. Along with his performance at the 1971 Montreux Festival, the album reintroduced Vinson to the touring circuit, which he continued to play until his death in 1988.

By Dean Rudland

 

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We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

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