Previous Vocal Group Record of the Week
#850 (11/7/15 - 11/20/15)

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus"/"I Can Call Him Anytime"
LaCille Watkins And The Watkins-Bell Singers/
Watkins-Bell Singers
on Bandwagon 513 A/B
released in 1948

"You Left Me Lonely"/
"So Disappointed With Love"
La Cille Watkins With The Volumes
on Jaguar 3006
released in 1954



Above: LaCille Watkins (circa 1956).

GEORGE J. BENNETT:

George J. Bennett owned both the Bandwagon and Jaguar labels. He also owned the Arlington, Hudson, Bennett, and Hallmark labels.

In 1946, he handled "artist and repertoire duties" for Irving Berman's Manor label. In 1947, he was "recording and repertoire topper" for Al Middleman's Sterling label.

The 3/6/54 issue of Billboard informed that... a new label, Jaguar Records, was formed this week by George Bennett. First sides are by Luigi Martinelli and the Four Brothers [actually Four Brothers And A Cousin]. Bennett is the co-writer of the oldie recently cut by the Mills Brothers on Decca, "You Didn't Want Me When You Had Me."



(Above: The Billboard dated 1/29/49)

(Above: The Billboard dated 8/13/49)


EXTRA AUDIO (Windows Media Player):

Listen to "Dry Bones" - La Cille Watkins' All City Chorus - Cecil C-002 B - ca 1957.

The Johnny Bell Tones had at least one release on Cecil Records (#C 5050) ca 1957.

Listen to "Maybe You'll Be There" - LaCille Watkins And The Belltones - Kapp K-145X - 1956.

Listen to "His Hand In Mine" - LaCille Watkins And The Belltones - Kapp K-145X - 1956.

The Billboard Review (6/2/56):

LACILLE WATKINS - KAPP 145....
Maybe You'll Be There
(75) Miss Watkins and the Belltones render a slow, easy-going of the oldie. Gal has many of the qualities of former Ink Spots lead Bill Kenny. A selling effort worthy of plays.
His Hand In Mine (73) Soprano Lacille Watkins offers a pleasant reading of a ballad of faith and hope, ably assisted by the Belltones vocal group.

(NOTE: A ratings range of 70-79 was considered "good.")



Above: Label image of Bandwagon 513 B released in 1948. The flip, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus," is by "LaCille Watkins And The Watkins-Bell Singers" and shows composers as Watkins-Bell.

"Bell" is Wilbur Bell (aka Johnny Bell). The Watkins-Bell Singers also had at least one release on Arlington (#201) in 1949.



Above Left: Label image of Jaguar 3006 released in August 1954. J. Bell-L. Watkins are also shown as composers of the flip song. The Volumes, by themselves, had one release on Jaguar (#3004) in April 1954.

Above Right: Clipping from The Billboard dated 4/24/54. Note the earlier version of "Dry Bones" (See and hear the Cecil version above).

Jet Magazine (1954): Former opera singer LaCille Watkins is now a night club entertainer. She sings the blues in five different languages.
(Wonder if they meant former spiritual singer.)

The Billboard Review (9/4/54):

LA CILLE WATKINS - JAGUAR 3006....
You Left Me Lonely
(75) Canary warbles a bluesy torch tune with feeling and style. Should get spins.
So Disappointed With Love (75) Same comment.

(NOTE: A ratings range of 70-79 was considered "good.")


Listen to this week's selections featuring LaCille Watkins:
[Audio restoration by Dave Saviet.]

     A. Stream RealAudio (DO NOT USE...LISTEN USING DOWNLOAD REALAUDIO)...
 
          1. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
          2. I Can Call Him Anytime
          3. You Left Me Lonely
          4. So Disappointed With Love
 
          ALL FOUR played in sequence

     B. Download RealAudio...
 
          1. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
          2. I Can Call Him Anytime
          3. You Left Me Lonely
          4. So Disappointed With Love

     C. Stream/Download Media Player...
 
          1. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
          2. I Can Call Him Anytime
          3. You Left Me Lonely
          4. So Disappointed With Love

      [To download audio files, right-click on link and then select "Save (Link) Target As..."]


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