Among aficionados of classic R&B, the legendary Drifters vocal group is divided into two factions -- the "old Drifters" and the "new Drifters." The "old" group is the one that was founded by Clyde McPhatter in 1953 and, with many personnel changes, ran until 1958 with tremendous success. In the spring of that year, the group's manager, George Treadwell, fired the entire group, and, because he held exclusive rights to the name, he hired a group called the Crowns and rechristened them with the Drifters name. This group, also with many personnel changes over the years, is the aggregation that fans refer to as the "new Drifters." They enjoyed a string of R&B and pop hits stretching into the mid '60s.  

Of the "old" (pre summer of 1958) group, there is only one survivor -- Bobby Hendricks. I had the chance to interview Bobby in June of 2013. Being a huge Drifters fan (particularly the "old" group), it was a real thrill for me to chat with him. Other topics we discussed were his early influences, his pre-Drifters musical endeavors and his success as a solo artist. I'm happy to share my talk with Bobby Hendricks on this latest edition of Trick Bag!

Your host,

Neil the Night Howler

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Songs: 

Drifters - Drip Drop

Drifters - Moonlight Bay

Drifters - Suddenly There's a Valley

Flyers - My Only Desire

Settlers (Drifters) - Sugar Plum (rare recently discovered recording)

Settlers (Drifters) - Come Home (rare recently discovered recording)

Bobby Hendricks - Dreamy Eyes

Bobby Hendricks - Itchy Twitchy Feeling

Bobby Hendricks - I Want That

Bobby Hendricks - Psycho

Bobby Hendricks - Honey Drip

Bobby Hendricks - Good Lovin'

Bobby Hendricks - Let's Get It Over

Bill Pinkney & the Originals - The Masquerade Is Over

Bobby Hendricks - Go On Home Girl

Bobby Hendricks - A Thousand Dreams

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It's an all a cappella showcase on this installment of Trick Bag. Vocal groups were a hot commodity in the '50s and '60s, but it wasn't common for record labels to release recordings without instrumental backing. Fortunately, many a cappella tracks were recorded and preserved. I've picked out some real gems to share with you on this episode.  

Your Host,

Neil the Night Howler

Trick Bag is presented by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by Neil Pellegrin. Produced by Kirsten Cluthe. Edited by Matt Dwyer and Justin Thomas (Revoice Media). Executive produced by Patrick Mitchell (EAC Productions). Artwork by Katherine Boils..

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Music in this episode:

Casanovas - Night Rider

Dovers - Only Heaven Knows

Volumes - Miss Silhouette

Nutones - Love Affair

King Crooners - School Daze

Royal Counts - Way Over There

Nutmegs - Hello

Eagle-Aires - Money Honey

Titans (Vitamins) - It's So Hard to Laugh, So Easy to Cry

Juveniles - Beat In My Heart (live on Wide Wide World TV show)

Tymes - Lover's Plea

Ad Libs - The Boy From New York City

Hollywood Flames - Roseanne of Charing Cross

Elegants - Little Star

Kripp Johnson's Versatiles (feat. Chuck Jackson) - Cold Feet

Debonairs - In My Memories

Sharps - I'm Such a Lovin' Man

Avalons - Love Me Now Or Let Me Go

Lillian Leach & the Mellows - You're Gone

Dappers - Good Lovin'

Heartbeats - A Thousand Miles Away

Miracles - Ooo Baby Baby

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It's time for Part 2 in a spotlight on Dan Penn, the great R&B songwriter who wrote hits for Aretha Franklin, James & Bobby Purify, Percy Sledge, Joe Simon, James Carr, Conway Twitty and many others. In this episode, we'll hear the biggest hits from the Dan Penn songbook and some great behind-the-scenes stories from the man himself. The depth of soul found in Dan's music combined with his down-home, charming demeanor makes this episode especially captivating and one you'll undoubtedly want to listen to more than once!

Your Host,

Neil the Night Howler

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Songs:

James Carr - The Dark End of the Street

Dan Penn - The Puppet

James & Bobby Purify - I'm Your Puppet

Aretha Franklin - Do Right Woman, Do Right Man

Barbara Lynn - You Left the Water Running

Otis Redding - Your Left the Water Running (demo with overdubs)

Janis Joplin - A Woman Left Lonely

Percy Sledge - Out of Left Field

Van Broussard - Feed the Flame

Warren Storm (as "Abel") - My Far Away Cow

The Sweet Inspirations - Sweet Inspiration

Clyde McPhatter - Denver

Dan Penn - See You In My Dreams

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.