The King Sides

• Artist: Dave Bartholomew
• Rating:
• Release Date: August 17, 2004
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

Trumpet player, vocalist, composer, and arranger Dave Bartholomew is one of the true kings of New Orleans music; he is a legend whose legacy reaches far beyond the confines of the Crescent City. He began his recording career in the late '40s with his own band and scored first with "She's Got Great Big Eyes" and "Dum Mae," and continued into the heyday of his protégé Fats Domino when he moved toward arrangement and composition -- at the age of 83 he performed and arranged on Dr. John's fine N'Awlinz: Dis Dat or d'Udda album. This Collectables compilation is split between his '40s and '50s sides and includes all the big records. The three previously mentioned titles are here as are "Country Boy," "Sweet Home Blues," "Bad Habit," "The Golden Rule," his magnificent version of "Stormy Weather," the two-part "Lawdy Lawdy Lord," and his signature "blue" tune, "My Ding-a-Ling," made infamous by Chuck Berry 20 years after Bartholomew recorded it. There are a couple of unusual cuts here in "Gumbo Blues," which is a previously unissued master take from the "Dum Mae"/"Dave's Boogie Woogie" session, and alternate takes of his hits "Twins" and "The Golden Rule." While the two-volume Chronological Classics series from France is preferable, The King Sides is an excellent budget-priced collection that includes all the necessary major titles. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Stardust	Hoagy Carmichael, Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:37)
She's Got Great Big Eyes	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(3:00)
Dave's Boogie Woogie	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:57)
Gumbo Blues	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:47)
Bum Mae	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:36)
Mr. Fool	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(3:00)
Country Boy	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(3:04)
High Society Blues	Porter Steele	Dave Bartholomew	(2:46)
Girl Town Blues	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(3:01)
In the Alley	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:44)
Sweet Home Blues	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:37)
Bad Habit	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:51)
Twins	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:53)
Golden Rule	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(3:04)
High Flying Woman	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:39)
I'll Never Be the Same	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:48)
Mother Knows Best	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:38)
Stormy Weather	Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler	Dave Bartholomew	(2:53)
Lawdy Lawdy Lord, Pt. 1	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:31)
Lawdy Lawdy Lord, Pt. 2	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:41)
My Ding-A-Ling	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:15)
Twins [Alternate Take]	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:54)
Golden Rule [Alternate Take]	Dave Bartholomew	Dave Bartholomew	(2:55)

Credits

Victor Pearlin (Liner Notes)