The Griffin Brothers, comprising Jimmy and Edward “Buddy” Griffin, were an R&B duo from Virginia, who formed a band in the post-war years to perform around Washington D.C., bringing in singer Margie Day and winning a recording contract with Randy Wood’s newly-established Dot label. They had a number of hits in the early 1950s and became famous for their rocking R&B workouts which presaged the arrival of rock ‘n’ roll in the charts a few years later.
This 52-track collection includes the A and B sides of their singles on Dot alongside recordings with featured vocalists Margie Day and Tommy Brown, plus releases by Buddy Griffin with Claudia Swann for Chess, and solo releases by Margie Day and Tommy Brown. It features the R&B No.1 Weepin’ And Cryin’ and their other Top 10 R&B hits, Hoppin’, Street Walkin’ Daddy, Little Red Rooster, Tra-la-la and Pretty Baby, along with many original compositions, plus versions of blues classics like Willie Dixon’s Little Red Rooster, Tampa Red’s Pretty Baby and the Chuck Willis hit My Story. Day left the band for a solo career in late 1952, and was replaced on some appearances by Claudia Swann (née Swanson).
The Griffin Brothers continued to tour with such artistes as The Orioles, Chuck Willis, and Faye Adams, and recorded for the Dot label until early 1954 when their contract ended and Jimmy left to form his own band. Buddy signed for Chess Records in Chicago, and had a minor R&B hit in 1955, I Wanna Hug Ya, Kiss Ya, Squeeze Ya. These tracks on these two discs captures the essence of the R&B scene around this time, and is a fairly comprehensive overview of the Griffin Brothers’ primary career.
TRACKS
Disc 1 |
|
|
Track |
Title |
Artist |
1 |
Street Walkin' Daddy |
Margie Day & Griffin Bros. |
2
|
Riffin' With Griffin |
Margie Day & Griffin Bros. |
3 |
Little Red Rooster |
Margie Day & Griffin Bros. |
4 |
Blues All Alone |
Margie Day & Griffin Bros. |
5 |
Blues With A Beat |
Griffin Brothers Orchestra |
6 |
Griff's Boogie |
Griffin Brothers Orchestra |
7 |
Bonaparte's Retreat |
Margie Day With Griffin Brothers Orchestra |
8 |
Hot Pepper |
Griffin Brothers Orchestra |
9 |
Sadie Green |
Margie Day & Griffin Bros. |
10 |
One Steady Baby |
Margie Day & Griffin Bros. |
11 |
Your Best Friend |
Margie Day & Griffin Bros. |
12 |
If You Want Some Lovin' |
Margie Day & Griffin Bros. |
13 |
House Near The Railroad Track |
Tommy Brown |
14 |
Double Faced Deacon |
Tommy Brown |
15 |
Hoppin' |
Griffin Brothers Orchestra |
16 |
Tra La La |
Griffin Brothers Orchestra |
17 |
Stubborn As A Mule |
Margie Day & Griffin Bros. |
18 |
Pretty Baby |
Margie Day & Griffin Bros. |
19 |
Weepin' And Cryin' |
Griffin Brothers Orchestra |
20 |
Shuffle Bug |
Griffin Brothers Orchestra |
21 |
I'll Get A Deal |
The Griffin Bros. feat. Margie Day |
22 |
It'd Surprise You |
The Griffin Bros. feat. Margie Day |
23 |
I've Got A New Love |
Griffin Brothers |
24 |
The Teaser |
Griffin Brothers |
25 |
I'm Gonna Jump In The River |
The Griffin Bros. feat. Margie Day |
26 |
Stormy Night |
The Griffin Bros. feat. Margie Day |
Disc 2 |
|
|
Track |
Title |
Artist |
1 |
Comin' Home |
The Griffin Brothers |
2 |
Stay Away From The Horses |
The Griffin Brothers |
3 |
Ace In The Hole |
The Griffin Brothers |
4 |
The Clock Song (Let Your Pendulum Swing) |
The Griffin Brothers |
5 |
I Wanna Go Back |
Griffin Brothers Orchestra |
6 |
Slow And Mellow |
Griffin Brothers Orchestra |
7 |
Midnight |
Margie Day |
8 |
My Story |
Margie Day |
9 |
Black Bread |
Griffin Brothers Orchestra |
10 |
My Baby's Done Me Wrong |
Griffin Brothers Orchestra |
11 |
Griff's Mambo |
Griffin Brothers |
12 |
Fare Thee Well Pretty Girl |
Griffin Brothers |
13 |
Gonna Raise A Rukus Tonight |
Margie Day |
14 |
Must I |
Margie Day |
15 |
Move It On Over |
The Griffin Brothers |
16 |
Bouncing Home |
The Griffin Brothers |
17 |
String Bean |
Margie Day |
18 |
Don't Talk To Me About Men |
Margie Day |
19 |
Don’t Leave Me |
Margie Day |
20 |
The Price I Pay |
Margie Day |
21 |
Fare Well Handsome Daddy |
Buddy Griffin |
22 |
Oh, What A Smile Can Do |
Buddy Griffin |
23 |
Please Come Back To Me |
Buddy Griffin and Claudia Swann |
24 |
I Wanna Hug Ya, Kiss Ya |
Buddy Griffin and Claudia Swann |
25 |
You Keep Me Guessin' |
Buddy Griffin & His Orch. |