Continuing our countdown to New Year’s…
Perhaps one of the biggest names on Stax/Volt was Otis Redding. The first artist to bring success to the label was Carla Thomas. In late 1966, the two recorded the album King & Queen, which produced “Tramp” and also included the song “New Year’s Resolution.” In April of ’67, “Tramp” was released as a single, eventually hitting #26 on the pop charts. Redding also had hits that year with “I Love You More Than Words Can Say” and “Shake.” In June, he made a huge impact at the Monterey Pop Festival. December 6 and 7, he recorded “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay.” On December 10, Redding and members of The Bar-Kays died in a plane crash.
The Coolbreezers first started singing as a gospel group in Washington D.C. and then switched to doo-wop. The members were Joe Reuth, Richard Steward, Bob Armstrong, William Primrose, Earl J. Williams, and Sonny Williams, with Earl and Sonny’s sister Bea acting as manager. She sent a few demos to New York which resulted in a single for ABC (“You Know I Go for You” / “My Brother”), which did not sell. Bea Williams then started her own label, BALE, and released two singles by the Coolbreezers in 1957: “The Greatest Love Of All” / “Eda Weda Bug” and “Let Christmas Ring” / “Hello Mr. New Year.” The liner notes to the compilation Hipsters’ Holiday list the record as being by The Coolbreezers, with Al White & Band, Bea Tibbitts, director. Could Tibbitts be her married name?
Otis & Carla – New Year’s Resolution — BUY
The Coolbreezers – Hello Mr. New Year — BUY