Tuesday, June 21, 2011

CHARLIE ALLEN - MOLASSES

From the weird and wacky file - the number 4 Mystery Record of the month.

This is yet another example of the strange early 60s phenomenon known as the "food" song. Notable examples include "Mashed Potatoes" by Nat Kendrick, "Peanut Butter" by The Marathons, "Bread And Butter" by The Newbeats, etc. I once did an entire two-hour radio show of just "food" songs, though I didn't include this one for some reason. Only thing I know about Charlie Allen is that he had another 45 on the Portrait label in 1962. Since the Teacho Wiltshire Orchestra is backing Charlie up, I am assuming this was a New York recording (and I know that the label was out of New York). This was the B-side (I'm assuming again - but who would try to have a hit record with a song about molasses???) of "There's Only One", a semi-gospel side. It was also produced by Charlie Allen for "The Frank Stuart Corporation", whoever they were. "Molasses" has cutesy girl-group backing, but the song is so damn weird that you sit there wondering, "did they really need a B-side this badly?". 

As always, any info on this record would be greatly appreciated.

Charlie Allen - Molasses (Bear 5004) - c. 1961-63


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