Previous Vocal Group Record of the Week
#664 (Week of 5/22/10 - 5/28/10)

"What If You"/"See What You Done"
by Luther Bond And His Emeralds
on Savoy 1124-A/B
released in 1954

"You Were My Love"/"Starlight, Starbright"
by Luther Bond And His Emeralds
on Savoy 1131-A/B
released in 1954


Above: 1954 photo of Luther Bond And His Emeralds (Top L-R) Willis Miller (baritone), John McGue (guitar), (Bottom L-R) Charles Godfrey (second tenor), Luther Bond (lead tenor), Cedric Cox (first tenor), and Clyde Giles (bass).

Savoy Inks Luther Bond:
NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 30, 1954—Herman Lubinsky, Savoy Records, has signed a new quartet from Cincinnati, Luther Bond and His Emeralds. Group's first etching, "What If You" b/w "See What You Done" has just been released. Savoy has also inked New Orleans lad Georgie Stevenson, whose first slicing, "Teasin" Tan" b/w "Grandma's Joints" will be out shortly.

From Billboard - February 20, 1954:
Savoy Records have pacted a number of new names. One is Little Eddie, a blues singer. The other is Luther Bond and His Emeralds. Signings were made by the label's a.&r. chief, Fred Mendellson.

Click HERE for an article about The Emeralds by Marv Goldberg.
(Above link will open in a separate window)



[Above clippings courtesy of Galen Gart.]

Above: Trade magazine clippings from March and July 1954.


[Above clipping provided by Richard Koloda.]

Above: October 1955 clipping from Cleveland Call And Post newspaper. A few seats are still available.... would you like to go? Wonder if "The Sundog" was the daytime version of Alan Freed, known in Cleveland as "The Moondog."


    
Above: Label images of Savoy 1124-A released in January 1954 and Savoy 1131-A released in June 1954. All four sides were recorded on January 15, 1954. Lead singer on all sides is Luther Bond, who also has composer credit for three of the songs. Luther Bond And His Emeralds had three releases on Savoy (1954-55). Bond, backed by different "Emeralds" line-ups, also had releases on Federal (1956, 1959) and Showboat (1959-60).

Billboard Review 7/3/54:
LUTHER BOND
You Were My Love (Savoy, BMI)—Savoy 1131—Luther Bond, backed by the Emeralds, has a solid disking here. He sings the ballad with a wealth of feeling, while the group sweetly harmonizes behind him. This could go. Flip is "Starlight, Starbright."

Listen to this week's selections by Luther Bond And His Emeralds on Savoy from 1954:
[Audio restoration by Dave Saviet.]

     A. Stream RealAudio (DO NOT USE...LISTEN USING DOWNLOAD REALAUDIO)...
 
          1. What If You
          2. See What You Done
          3. You Were My Love
          4. Starlight, Starbright
 
          ALL FOUR played in sequence

     B. Download RealAudio...
 
          1. What If You
          2. See What You Done
          3. You Were My Love
          4. Starlight, Starbright

     C. Stream/Download Media Player...
 
          1. What If You
          2. See What You Done
          3. You Were My Love
          4. Starlight, Starbright


(The Billboard July 3, 1954)


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


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