I'm going crazy, out of my head.....

I've written before about New Orleans artist Chuck Johnson. Unfortunately, information on the man is still non-existent.....and I still have a big question concerning his discography which apparently can only be solved by hunting down another 45. That is, unless someone out there can tell me if the recordings on Booker 301-Chuck Johnson "The Way You Treat Me/Your Little World" are the same as those released on C&E 400???

C&E 401 is one of Johnson's records I've bought just to flesh out my understanding of the discography. I had heard that it contained re-cut versions of two songs initially recorded for the Invicta label, but wasn't sure if that was the truth having never heard the original 45.

And yeah, that's exactly the case. Johnson re-recorded both tunes several years later. Possibly even ten years [?] later. The dating on the Invicta 45's is basically unknown. Certainly the man's voice is much lower on the C&E release.

The interesting thing here is that this song didn't exactly grab me the first time around. But repeated listenings [for comparison sake] have made me quite fond of both versions. Johnson was obviously a very talented piano player and I've mentioned before how much I like his voice.

So, here they are, both versions of "Trying Hard To Forget"......the first off of Invicta 509, the second off of C&E 401. Admittedly obscure choices, but I hope ya'll enjoy nonetheless.....

It ain't right....

As I'm sure I made abundantly clear in a previous post, Chuck Johnson is a mystery to me. At this point I only know of something around 7 singles by the man, all of which were no doubt recorded in New Orleans. While I think I've read something about the C&E label in the past, I can't seem to find that info at the moment. So, please forgive me if I'm wrong but I think the initials stand for Chuck and Earl [possibly Earl Johnson, aka Earl King?].

Initially, Johnson recorded for the obscure Booker/Invicta label and in fact there's a 45 by him on Booker which includes both songs on this 45. I've only seen that Booker 45 once, and never got to hear it, so I'm unsure whether this is a second pressing or a re-working of both sides. However I do suspect it's a re-working because Johnson re-recorded his "Elephant Fair", previously issued on Invicta, for C&E.

But there's a problem with that thought. Ya see, this record as a whole really doesn't sound like it was recorded in 1975 [the date on the label]. So, maybe it is a reissue? But if it is, then why does this 45 usually sell for as much as it does [$40 to $60 for a nice copy]?

My confusion is compounded by the enormous lack of info about Booker/Invicta. While the release numbers for the records appear to be consecutive, I think they probably aren't in terms of release date. Which leaves open the possibility that both the Booker and C&E 45s were released at the same time, that is if they're actually the same recordings. It's also worth mentioning that I've never seen a discography for C&E. Has anyone ever even tried to put one together?

Sorry about all of this dithering, but ya gotta understand that there really isn't much known about some of these records/artists. Sometimes there are only questions.

In fact, here's another: has this song ever been comped?

Hope ya'll enjoy....

Put down dat gun...at the Elephant Fair...

Another one I should post before I forget.

Awhile back I was scratching my head over the name Chuck Johnson in relation to a 45 by the Sensational Travelers. Ya know, sometimes my poor little brain just doesn't function quite the way it should. I know this, just as I'm sure anyone who reads more than a few of my posts knows it.

Anyway, after that post I got a note from a friend essentially saying "duh" and pointing in the direction of this record and another titled "Put Down Dat Gun", both on the Invicta label.

Now, Invicta was owned by an ex-DJ named Robert Booker who also owned the gospel label, Booker. That's why I wondered at the time of the other post if Chuck Johnson [not the same as the gospel singer Charles Johnson or the rockabilly singer Chuck Johnson] wasn't involved with both labels [he was, as producer on Booker]. Throw in the fact that the Rev. Charlie Jackson [not the same as the singer Chuck Jackson] recorded a few sides for Booker and maybe you get some idea of how I got things muddled up. As if anyone actually gives a shit...

Anyway, enough of that nonsense, on to the records. And there are two records posted even though I've only got one scan up. The rip of "Put Down Dat Gun" comes from my friend BB, who for some reason hasn't got back to me with a label scan. Sorry about the omission folks. The record's rare enough that I think it's worth posting anyway. Copies of "Elephant Fair" are seemingly everywhere. Chances are that most are re-presses, although I've never heard anyone say as much.

Both are way cool tunes. Maybe a little derivative, but still very enjoyable in a goofy-ass sort of way. I'd still like to know more about Johnson, he's an interesting singer. At times sounding very West Indian/Jamaican. Hope ya'll enjoy...

Elephant Fair

Put Down Dat Gun

[For some reason the file of "Put Down Dat Gun" isn't showing all the usual info, including the artists name. Just in case some of you want to fill in the label info, it's Invicta 509]