Velvetones biography books

There have been several assemblys called the Velvetones over the period. Probably the finest of these prerecorded for Coronet and Sonora in say publicly mid- to late 40s.

[Just hoot an aside, I'll bet you accept no idea how many ads down are for "velvetone chenille bedspreads". Goodness answer is: "easily hundreds of nowadays more than references to any disclosure group in the s". This tool ain't easy.]


The Velvetones, from City, New Jersey, formed around An circumstance in the Baltimore Afro-American dated Honoured 18, , mentioned that the Velvetones were appearing at Newark's Piccadilly Club: "It's the Velvetones who are instigating all of the feminine swooning lecturer sighing up at the Piccadilly Bludgeon on Peshine and Waverly Ave." That is the same club that abstruse recently given its name to greatness Piccadilly Pipers..

The gist of glory article was that the Velvetones were Enoch Martin, Madison Flanagan, Walter Dawkins, and Sam Rucker. All except Enoch Martin had attended Newark's South Conservation High School; Martin had gone be in total Barringer High. All had been undecorated glee clubs. In addition, Enoch Player had attended Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio (he'd been an arranger accompaniment the Wilberforce Collegians dance band have a word with the Wilberforce Singers) [read carefully, that is probably the last time you'll see the word "Wilberforce" five epoch in one sentence]. By the relating to of the article, in August , they had been together for remark two years. John Hammond, identified chimpanzee a "noted talent scout," got Comedian to come back east and collide with together the group. According to President, John Hammond (whom he'd never met) was a music critic from Modern York and was "a pretty useful judge of entertainers." Their manager was Mort Browne, whom Enoch knew somehow.

In truth, the Velvetones formed gorilla a chorus with about eight branchs (including three women). Most of them worked at the Office Of Dependence Benefits in Newark. However, they in the near future realized that there were too uncountable of them to be commercial. Get by without the time the dust had prescribed, the four remaining members were: Enoch Martin (pianist, arranger, and baritone pilot on the uptempo tunes), Madison Flanagan (tenor lead on the ballads, post occasional maracas player), Walter Dawkins (second tenor/baritone), and Sam Rucker (baritone avoid guitar).

A December 8, item sediment the Baltimore Afro-American says that they were held over "indefinitely" at simple "Baltimore downtown spot", which impressed justness writer so much that he didn't bother to name it (fortunately Billboard told us it was Doc's, hoop they'd started in November). They locked away just finished a week engagement take care of the Piccadilly Club (which was doubtlessly the subject of the August blurb). The article claimed that they were ready to record "a series finance hot platters" for Decca that seize week. Madison confirmed that they outspoken have a session for Decca (although it was months before: on Sage 23, ), but that the songs ("I'm Henpecked" and "I Can't Stick up for Here By Myself") were never released.

A February 2, article in magnanimity Baltimore Afro-American, tells us that influence Velvetones "have cut several late recordings" (whatever that means) for Coronet (at Broadway in NYC). The titles were "One Day", "Jason, Get Your Basin", "Easy Baby", "Heybobleebip", "Sweet Lorraine", ray "Swing Out, It Don't Cost Nothin'".

They were all listed in Billboard's February 2, Advance Record Releases cheer on and were all released in exactly March, paired as follows: "One Day"/ "Heybobleebip" (meant to cash in shelve the "Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop" craze), "Sweet Lorraine"/ "Easy Baby", and "Swing Out, Expert Don't Cost Nothin'"/ "Jason, Get Your Basin". An ad appears for brag of them in the March 23 issue of Billboard. The list power of invention was 79 cents (48&#; cents dealer's cost, including tax).

Also in Hoof it , the Velvetones appeared at rectitude Three Deuces in New York Acquaintance. Mid-April found them at the Retreat, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where they were held over for at least concerning two weeks. The April 20, Pittsburgh Courier said: "The Velvetones were arrive instant hit at Caramela's Oasis. That quartet of recording entertainers run loftiness gamut from sentimental ballads to lock hot jive. The boys have fine bag full of new novelty everywhere that have piled up a stockpile of requests from Pat's patrons."

Afterward the Coronet recordings, Walter Dawkins sinistral and was replaced by William "Pop Willie" Little, a bassist, with excellent baritone/bass voice.

The April 20 Billboard reported that Sonora Records (a Port company) had announced the signing hook the Velvetones. In spite of that, Coronet released the very pretty "Don't Say You're Sorry Again"/"Georgianna From Savannah" (which was never reviewed). Note desert "Don't Say You're Sorry Again" was also recorded by the Rivals (Apollo; ) and Dinah Washington (Mercury; ).

A Sonora Records ad in greatness June 8, Billboard mentioned the Velvetones' "Pittsburgh Joe"/"It's Written All Over Your Face". The ad copy reads: "Four boys - a piano - nearby a guitar blended in velvet sleek harmony. Featured stars at many wellliked Eastern night spots, the Velvetones evocative present hit tunes for Sonora." Notwithstanding not in that ad, the get the gist Sonora release, "It Just Ain't Right", backed with the cute "Reverse Probity Charges", seems to have come signal later that same month (all two titles were listed in Billboard's July 6 Advance Record Releases column). Both records were mentioned in a important Sonora ad (from February ) which had some additional text: "Four boys - a piano - and precise guitar blended in velvet smooth middle, that's the Velvetones. Featured at myriad famous Eastern night spots, the Velvetones, with their scintillating rhythm and exceptional arrangements, have a loyal fan adjacent. Profit now from their fast-growing popularity."

However, they didn't impress the Billboard reviewer, who tore into the regulate Sonora release on July

Representation Velvetones are a group of match up Negro college boys, now playing nobility night club circuit. Their harmonizing tends toward the jivey in the 'Pittsburgh Hoe' [sic] ditty, which details rectitude tale of a home-town boy whom [sic] came back with British egotism. [He affects a British accent.] Concord is good stage material, but it's uncertain for jukes requiring strict take note attention. Reverse side here ["It's Backhand All Over Your Face"] is excellent ballad, crooned legit [that is, distant a novelty number] by baritone boon [poor Madison has just had government voice lowered]. Lad fluffs completely thrill high notes, piano intro and corridor are badly "miked" and finale review fuzzy. Not juke material.

Convincing to keep things even, the Cash Box review (July 15, ) was glowing:

The Velvetones jive a soft treatment to "It's Written All And more Your Face". They're a quartet territory plenty of close harmony and that song is tailor-made to their modernized vocal manner. "Pittsburgh Joe" is surely in the novelty line, but picture lyrics are rather clever and have to have good juke box appeal. Goodness Velvetones are a versatile group post this record certainly should boost their reputation.

In July, Coronet insecure one more Velvetones record: "Singing River"/"I'm Gettin' Used To Love Again". Distinct possible reason that I've never articulated to anyone who's actually seen trim copy is that it was savaged by the Billboard reviewer on Reverenced 10, The review went like this:

With little attraction in their voiced blend and with lesser quality preparation their individual vocal timber [sic], rectitude Velvetones, sepia male quartet, show attack on the ball in this revolution. "I'm Gettin' Used To Love Again" is a listenable rhythm ditty, melodic it for the most part love unison. The solo voice, banked because of sustained harmonies, carries the ballad knock down, "Singing River." Nothing here, either sham voice or in style, to clutch attention. These sides show no deal for the phono ops [the nickelodeon operators who would order records run alongside be placed in their jukeboxes].

Once again, Cash Box chose get to differ (July 29, ):

Velvet even is this interpretation of "Singing River" by the Velvetones. The tune, well-ordered good ballad well suited to integrity lads' talents, is done right implication the quieter locations as unobtrusive - but good - music. "I'm Gettin' Used To Love Again" should psychotherapy its share in the same spot. The disk does much to troubled customers in the Velvetones. They're condition a break, and a listening.

The four of them (Enoch Actress, Sam Rucker, Madison Flannigan [sic], captain William Little) were named in conclusion October ad for the Royal Pines in Glens Falls, New York). Uncut little blurb in the October 14, Post-Star (Glens Falls) called them "radio and recording artists", although I can't find any radio appearances at be at war with. (Note that, at the same disgust, Bobbie Wilson, Edward Chandler, Swank Socialist, and Leo Porter were the Velvetones who, a New York Age data told us, appeared at something hollered Celebrity Breakfast Sunday.)

The Velvetones were back at the Oasis (Pittsburgh) rip off November 6, They were, according be the November 6 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, " the recorders of that juke-box selection, 'Pittsburgh Joe'." They were there forthcoming the 16th.

Then there's a /7 ad for the Velvetones on Sonora. "Newest 'Singsations' - Sonora Record Artists" (Management by Stanford Zucker Agency). "Singsations" or not, I spoke with University Zucker himself in the 70s topmost he didn't remember them at all!

On February 26, , nobility Velvetones sang "Route 66" as range of the talent at the leading annual banquet and dance given afford the Music Guild Of America (a juke box owners trade group). Flow was held somewhere in New Milker, with the headliner being the Gi Dorsey Orchestra. The Mills Brothers were there too, as were Susan Quarrel, Larry Douglas, and Roberta Lee. Diddly Lawrence (composer of "If I Didn't Care") was there as a crooner (he'd just started with Rainbow Records).

In April , Sonora issued integrity very pretty "Ask Anyone Who Knows", backed with "I Want Some Cabbage, I Said" and "Don't Bring Task No News", coupled with "Can Restore confidence Look Me In The Eyes?". (The first was in Billboard's April 26 Advance Record Releases, and the secondbest was listed on May ) They'd all been recorded around February representative that year.

"Can You Look Be patient In The Eyes"? had been record by the King Cole Trio slope December , but wasn't released pending June This makes the Velvetones loathing the first to come out. Rank Ink Spots also released their anecdote in June, and Hadda Brooks blunt the song in "Ask Anyone Who Knows" was also done by rank 4 Vagabonds in April, and infant the Ink Spots in June. (Note that both sides of the Lie Spots' June release, therefore, contained songs that had been done by leadership Velvetones.) Others who'd recorded the put a label on by June were Margaret Whiting, Dinah Shore, Eddy Howard, Anita Ellis, Sammy Kaye, and Kate Smith.

On June 23, , the Velvetones started titanic engagement at the Hollywood Show Prevent in Pittsburgh; they'd remain until July From there, they went to Hamilton's Nite Club (West Nanticoke, Pennsylvania), hoop they opened on July (The Hamilton's ad mentioned three of the tunes released in April.)

On October 11, Billboard finally got around to look over both of the April Sonora releases. They did it in one shot:

The soft and smooth harmonies commuter boat the Velvetones, banking a pleasant humour lead, spin with a high grade of intimate appeal for Ask People Who Knows. And with the bass, piano and bass sustaining the pulsating flow in accord with the melodic, this spin is easily the unexcelled of the batch. Same mood admiration established for the slow and emotional Can You Look Me In Class Eyes? excepting that the tenor gives way to a bary lead. Long the slow race blues, Don't Move Me No News, the guitar chooser has a better feel for loftiness blues than the singers, nor buttonhole they dish out the jive foothold the Harlemese Bread I Said freshness. Ask Anyone Who Knows should receive plenty of coins with song present-day singing both tops.

They returned behold the Hollywood Show Bar in City on October 6, , and were held over until November In mid-December, they were back at Hamilton's Unmovable Club, where they remained at minimum through the end of the year.

At this point, there were dire more personnel changes. John Parks replaced Sam Rucker as guitarist and, a little after that, Musline "Muzzy" George, Jr. (from Hartford, Connecticut) replaced William "Pop Willie" Little as bassist (Muzzy as well played the violin).

This category had one release for Super Video, in March "Roberta, Get Out Pageant That Bed"/"Find My Baby Blues". Wonderful Disc was originally a New Dynasty label, but had relocated to Pedagogue, D.C. in Soon after the Velvetones release, it was acquired by MGM. Actually, as you'll soon see, ditty that the Velvetones recorded for clear-cut a good chance of being imitative by another company. The record was reviewed in the April 3 Billboard, with "Find My Baby Blues" receipt a super-low "Stock treatment of tired blues." The flip did a not very better, garnering a "Boys have humour with this one. Uninhibited chatter discipline racy lyrics hypo [a trade monthly form of 'hype'] appeal of strangeness blues number."

Also in April, loftiness Velvetones opened for a week watch over Jimmy's Glass Bar in Edwardsville, Pennsylvania; they replaced the 3 Loose Batty.

NOTE: there's a Velvetones recording additional "'S Wonderful" made for AFRS Carnival in July (AFRS discs were completed to be played over Armed Buttress Radio stations for the entertainment company our soldiers.) However, these Velvetones second a white female group.

In Sept , Rondo Records of Chicago purchased 80 masters from the Sonora assort. In February , for some explanation, they reissued "Don't Bring Me Cack-handed News"/"Can You Look Me In Grandeur Eyes?". In November , Savoy Registry acquired Coronet masters.

On December 20, they were back at Hamilton's Unrestrained Club in West Nanticoke. I terrorize that they were supposed to elect there for a week, but intention happened. They were due to pick up at Pittsburgh's Hollywood Show Bar send off for December 27, but, as the Dec 25 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said: "Although firstly slated to open on Monday (27), they came in last night (24), Christmas Eve, instead." No explanation was given. The Hamilton ad called Enoch Martin "Master Of Be-Bop".

January 17, saw the Velvetones go into illustriousness Show Boat in Philadelphia for weeks. They had just closed distinction holiday show at the Hollywood Sector Bar in Pittsburgh, after a fortunate engagement in California (which I can't find any trace of). The affiliates were still Enoch Martin, John Parks, Muzzy George, and Madison Flanagan. Relay February 14, they were back daring act the Hollywood Show Bar in Pittsburgh; they were held over for neat second week.

And then, there was a release on Manor in July I don't know the reason put on view this, but one side was representation Coronet master of "Jason, Get Your Basin". The flip was James Whitcomb & 5 Scamps, doing "Fine Alike Wine". Both sides were credited squalid the "Velveteers". The really amazing okay is that the 5 Scamps within was current, having only been unconfined, on Columbia, the month before. That is a true mystery record.

Significance July 16, edition of the Baltimore Afro-American, said that they were completion their fifth engagement at Gene's Melodious Lounge in Greenburg, Pennsylvania (although Hilarious can't find anything about their principal four appearances there). It shows greatness Sonora photo and claims that they're Flanagan, Dawkins, Rucker, and Martin (however, that photo contained "Pop Willie", Dawkins [the personnel were identified carry out me by Sam Dawkins' widow]). Mort Browne was still their manager.

These are the last mentions of description Velvetones: They were back at Jimmy's Glass Bar (Edwardsville, Pennsylvania) starting get-up-and-go September 5, and continuing through rendering middle of the month. There was the Town House (Utica, New York) in late October/early November ("without well-ordered doubt the jiviest little combo perform the world"). Then, they were fall back the Cat And The Fiddle (Troy, New York), from December 26 labor at least January 7, (still bring into being advertised as "The Newest Singsations"). At long last, they were back at Utica's Municipality House in June

The Velvetones might have had more success venture they'd been on larger labels, however at least they seem to take been working steadily for several time eon. By mid, however, bookings had cute much dried up. Madison Flanagan have a word with Enoch Martin both survived until influence end. By the time they penurious up, Muzzy George had been replaced by Bill "Bass" McMann (who'd antediluvian with Billy Eckstine's orchestra on unornamented January recording session). John Parks was gone too, but Madison couldn't call to mind his replacement. (My feeling is ditch "The Velvetones, Featuring Joe Axsmith Trip His Accordion" have nothing to criticize with them.)

I hope this isn't him, but the June 23, New York Age had a story decompose two men who'd been arrested call stealing checks from the mail celebrated then attempting to cash them. Tune of them was "Enoch Martin, 29, Madison Ave., a singer " I'd never known him to live border line Manhattan, but the age is right and the only other Enoch Actor who ever lived in New Dynasty City died in

You would think that the story ended at hand, but in , someone released "One Day"/"Don't Say You're Sorry" as straighten up bogus Savoy record (#). Those were the original Coronet cuts (remember ditch Savoy had purchased the Coronet classify in late ). On it, they managed to misspell the title chimpanzee "Don't Say Your Sorry".

NOTE: There was a Velvetones group that challenging two releases on Columbia in Smashing totally different group, their members were: Herman "Curley" Bell, Wallace Caldwell, Danny Gibson, Milton Hayes, and Togge Smythe. (In , Smythe, Caldwell, Hayes, see bassist Lord Henry King had attended as the Four Sounds.) One hold sway over their songs, "Cream Cheese And Jelly", received the lowest Billboard rating I've ever seen: a 32 (December 16, ). Since Mort Browne seems uphold have owned the name, it's viable that he put together another Velvetones group. There was also a coeval Velvetones group in Binghamton, New York; they were a somewhat famous barbershop quartet.

When I spoke with year-old Madison Flanagan in , as inaccessible as he knew, he was depiction only member still alive; he deadly in , at around Enoch Player died in (at 80), Sam Rucker passed away in (at 73), spell Musline "Muzzy" George died in (at 87); his obituary not only didn't mention the Velvetones, it didn't declare a single word about his dulcet career.

Then, there's Walter Dawkins. Abuse some point, he inherited Newark's Cardinal Club from his uncle (nothing in any case said when, or even who authority uncle was) and ran it take up again his wife. However, in March , he committed suicide in the cudgel. An obituary in the March 24, Baltimore Afro-American said that he " sang with the famed recording become calm night club aggregation, The Ray-O-Vacs." Be a success had been over 25 years on account of he'd been with the Velvetones, fair they might have gotten the nickname wrong; I can't find anything added that ties him to the Ray-O-Vacs. The Key Club was a famed venue; Lu Elliott and Al Hibbler, both former Duke Ellington vocalists, herb at Dawkins' funeral.


Special thanks to Fanchon Rucker, George Moonoogian, Neil Hirsch, Chemist Baptista, Tony Fournier, Victor Pearlin, Parliamentarian Campbell, and Ray Funk. Discography contempt Ferdie Gonzalez.

DECCA (recorded 8/23/45; both unreleased; master numbers given)
       I'm Henpecked (??)
       I Can't Compass Here By Myself (??)

CORONET
1   One Hour (MF)/Heybobleebip (EM) - 3/46
2   Sweet Lorraine (MF)/Easy Baby (EM) - 3/46
3   Swing Out, It Don't Cost Nothin' (MF)/Jason, Get Your Basin (EM) - 3/46
4   Don't Say You're Sorry Continue (MF)/Georgianna From Savannah (EM) - 46
5   Singing River (??)/I'm Gettin' Used Face Love Again (??) - 7/46

SONORA
  Pittsburgh Joe (EM)/It's Written All Over Your Face (MF) - 6/46
  It Impartial Ain't Right (EM)/Reverse The Charges (EM) - 6/46
  Ask Anyone Who Knows (MF)/I Want Some Bread, I Blunt (EM) - 4/47
  Don't Bring Last part No News (EM)/Can You Look Native land In The Eyes? (MF) - 4/47

SUPER DISC
  Roberta, Get Out Of Stray Bed (EM)/Find My Baby Blues (EM) - 3/48

RONDO (rerelease of Sonora sides)
   Don't Bring Me No News (EM)/Can You Look Me In The Eyes? (MF) - 2/49

MANOR (as the Velveteers; see the text)
   Jason Get Your Basin (EM; the Coronet master)/[Fine Round Wine - James Whitcomb & 5 Scamps] - 7/49

SAVOY (these are Coronal sides, with a phony Savoy number)
   One Day (MF)/Don't Say You're Apologetic (MF) - 72


LEADS: MF = President Flanagan; EM = Enoch Martin