(1957) Sun ''Red Hot'' (Take 8) Billy Riley

Описание: STUDIO SESSION FOR BILLY RILEY
AT THE MEMPHIS RECORDING SERVICE FOR SUN RECORDS 1957

SUN RECORDING STUDIO
706 UNION AVENUE, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
SUN SESSION: WEDNESDAY JANUARY 30, 1957
SESSION HOURS: UNKNOWN
PRODUCER AND RECORDING ENGINEER - SAM C. PHILLIPS

Riley returned to the studio to start work on a rockabilly version of an old Sun copyright, Billy "The Kid" Emerson's "Red Hot". As always, the rhythm section, featuring Roland Janes and drummer James M. Van Eaton, played with teletathic cohesion. Win, lose, or draw, Riley always had one of the hottest working bands in the Mid-South. By the end of 1957, "Red Hot" had sold only thirty-seven thousand copies, and Riley was furious.

There are seven alternate takes of ''Red Hot'' (excluding She's My Baby). Bear Family's 'That'll Flat Git It, Volume 17' (BCD 16405) also contains an alternate take of ''Red Hot'', the one we refer to here as Alternate Take 6. There is one additional alternate take available on The Classic Recordings 1956-1960, BCD 15444, Disc 2, track 7 that we have also elected to use.

This version (labeled Alternate Take 1 here) is worth including despite the duplication. It has perhaps the most country feel of any of the ''Red Hot'' takes Riley left behind. Part of that is the slightly slower tempo. But also listen to Roland's guitar breaks, particularly the second one. Keep reminding yourself that this is a rock n roll record. You sure couldn't tell from that guitar solo.

This alternate also showcases the unique sound Jimmy Van Eaton got on his snare drum, sounding like something tuned between a snare and a tom tom.

Van Eaton used the old drummer's trick of taping a wallet to his snare in order to deaden the sound. Thirdly, the timing irregularities that Riley took some pride in during subsequent interviews, loom larger than life here in the absence of an overdubbed chorus. And by the way, Riley has confirmed on numerous occasions that the piano player here, as on ''Pearly Lee'', was Jimmy Wilson.

There is also some controversy over the opening lyric. Admittedly, Riley sometimes sounds like a star graduate of the Jimmy Reed School of Diction. That doesn't help matters. But is he really singing 'My girl is red hot''? We can grant him some latitude with "Mah girl...". But some of these lines sound curiously like "Bop girl is red hot''. After a half a century, we'll probably never know for sure. (HD) (SP)

"RED HOT"
Composer: - William Robert Emerson
Publisher: - B.M.I. - Hi-Lo Music Incorporated
Matrix number: - None - Take 8 - Not Originally issued (2:30)
Recorded: - January 30, 1957
Released: - 2011
First appearance: - Bear Family Records (CD) 500/200rpm BCD 17122-2 mono
BILLY RILEY - THE OUTTAKES

Name (Or. No. Of Instruments)
Billy Riley - Vocals and Guitar
Roland Janes - Guitar
Marvin Pepper - Bass
James M. Van Eaton - Drums
Jimmy Wilson - Piano
John "Ace" Cannon - Saxophone
Band Chorus - Off mic

© - 706 UNION AVENUE SESSIONS - ©