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:: Powder Puff ::

:: Ping Pong ::

Tiny Bradshaw was a swing band leader in the 30s and 40s who helped usher in rhythm and blues in the 50s. Recording for the King label in the late 40s/early 50s, he released a string of singles that helped define jump blues and set the stage for rock & roll. One of Bradshaw's big hits was "Train Kept A-Rollin'", which of course was later recorded by the Yardbirds and Aerosmith, among others.



This record came out late in 1953, and "Ping Pong" became a signature song for Bradshaw and his sax player Sil Austin. The innovative use of echo gives the record a unique flavor, and it probably sounded like all hell breaking loose back in 1953. About a year later, Bradshaw suffered a major stroke, and spent the next couple of years recuperating in Florida. In 1958 he slowly returned to leading his band, and made another record for King trying to tap into the teenage rock & roll market that had sprung up since his forced retirement. The record flopped and Tiny returned to his home town of Cincinnati where he passed away at the age of 53.

I'm gonna buy me some more Tiny Bradshaw records if I can find 'em. Gooood stuff.


Mike

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