Clarence Henry was a rhythm and blues singer-pianist from New Orleans and an early disciple of Fats Domino and Professor Longhair.

Playing in the early ‘50s with Bobby Mitchell & The Toppers and the band of saxophonist Eddie Smith, his break came when Chess A & R man Paul Gayten heard him sing his composition Ain’t Got No Home with his trademark croak in his voice, he was signed to Chess. Scoring a hit with his first release, it was five years before his next success.

In the period covered by this set, had had ten chart entries including Top 10 hits on both sides of the Atlantic with I Don’t Know Why (But I Do) - covered by Bobby Vinton in 1972 - and You Always Hurt The One You Love. This 30-track CD features the A- and B-sides of his singles during this era on the Argo label plus the tracks from his  You Always Hurt The One You Love album not otherwise released on singles.

It includes all his ten pop, R&B and UK chart entries from these years, including the Top 10 hits Ain’t Got No Home, I Don’t Know Why (But I Do) and  You Always Hurt the One You Love. His music was very much inspired by and typical of the New Orleans R&B idiom, and his highly individual vocal style earned him the nickname “Frogman” and he opened 18 concerts for The Beatles across the US and Canada in 1964.

Now aged 84, Henry’s pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognised by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. In April 2007, Henry was honoured for his contributions to Louisiana music with induction into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. This collection offers a comprehensive overview of this first era of his career, and an entertaining showcase for that distinctive approach.

REVIEWS

“A neat 30-tracker that contains everything issued by Clarence Henry between 1956 and 1962.” – Trevor Cajiao (Now Dig This Issue263)

TRACKS