Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Coker Family (by Dick Grant)



THE COKER FAMILY
SESSION DISCOGRAPHY

ALVADEAN COKER         with Louisiana Hayride Band
                          KWKH Radio Station Studio, 327 Texas Street       Shreveport, La.: ca, Tuesday 16th March 1954
Alvadean Coker (vcl); poss. Thomas “Tommy” Bishop (gtr); James “Jimmy” Day (stl gtr); Joseph Herman “Big Red” Hayes (fdl); Kenneth Allen “Little Red” Hayes (fdl); Floyd Cramer (pno); Donald “Don” Davis (stg bs).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Producer: Fabor Robinson

163a                  SUGAR DOLL                                                        Abbott 163, Abbott 163-45
                          (Thelma Woods-Zackary Woods) (Dandelion Music BMI)
163b                  WITCHE’S WALTZ                                                                                       163,            163-45
                          (Dick Reynolds) (Dandelion Music BMI)
167a                   FUNNY LITTLE THINGS                                         Abbott 167, Abbott 167-45
                          (Mary Weber) (Dandelion Music BMI)
167b                   PINNOLO THE PUPPY                                                       167,            167-45
                          (Dick Reynolds) (Dandelion Music BMI)

NB(1): ABBOTT 163/163-45 released Tuesday 11th May 1954.
NB(2): ABBOTT 163/163-45 reviewed Billboard Reviews of New C&W Records Saturday 15th May 1954.
NB(3): ABBOTT 167/45-167 released Tuesday 13th July 1954.
NB(4): ABBOTT 167/45-167 reviewed Billboard Reviews of New C&W Records Saturday 17th July 1954.

ALVADEAN COKER
ABBOTT 163
WITCHE’S WALTZ                                                                          71
A cute side, the ditty will appeal to youngsters. Miss Coker projects it effectively. Country deejays should spin some.

SUGAR DOLL                                           67
Swingy item is handed an okay reading by the thrush.

ALVADEAN COKER
ABBOTT 167
FUNNY LITTLE THINGS                            75
The country thrush brings warmth and style to this cute material. She has a pleasant voice over which she has excellent control

PINNOLO THE PUPPY                               69
While Miss Coker comes thru with another fine reading here, the lyric is closer to kiddie material than anything, and consqently will have less general appeal.

ALVADEAN COKER         -1                                                                                     
SANDY COKER Band-2
             poss. KWKH Radio Station Studio, 327 Texas Street          Shreveport, La.: ca. July 1954
Alvadean Coker (vcl-3); Alvis “Al” Coker Sr. (gtr); Alvis “Sandy” Coker Jr. (fdl-4/gtr); poss. Jimmy Day  (stl gtr); poss. Linda Coker (pno); Geraldine Coker (stg bs).             Producer: Fabor Robinson

169a                   I SOLD OUT MY HEART   -3                                   Abbott 169, Abbot 169-45
                          (Fred Lehweber-Al Slavico) (Dandelion Music BMI)
169b                   CRYING HEART              -3                                               169,           169-45
                          (Ned Cronk) (Dandelion Music BMI)
171a                   MEADOWLARK MELODY  (Inst)-4                            Abbott 171, Abbott 171-45, Lodon HL-8109
                          (Sandy Coker) (Dandelion Music BMI)                                                London 45-HL-8109
171b                   TOSS OVER                                                          (Inst)-4               Abbott 171,            171-45,             HL-8109
                          (Sandy Coker) (Dandelion Music BMI)                                                London 45-HL-8109

NB(1): ABBOTT 169/169-45 released Tuesday 14th September 1954.
NB(2): ABBOTT 169/169-45 reviewed Billboard Reviews of New C&W Records Saturday 17th September 1954.
NB(3): ABBOTT 171/171-45 released Tuesday 12th October 1954.
NB(4): ABBOTT 171/171-45 reviewed Billboard Reviews of New C&W Records Saturday 16th October 1954.
NB(5): LONDON HL-8109 (78rpm/45rpm) released United Kingdom December 1954.

STANLEY COKER BAND (Sic)
ABBOTT 171
MEADOWLARK MELODY                          71
The Coker band presents one of the prettiest instrumentals to hot the market in quite a while. It is played here by steel guitar over a rocking bass figure. Good juke box item.

TOSS OVER                                                                                   71
Another fine instrumental with a solid beat and a pleasant melody. The fancy fiddling adds to its attractions as a dance record.

JIM REEVES - ALVADEAN COKER
                                      Abbott Studio, Escondido Canyon           Malibu, Ca.:       Monday 31st January 1955
James Travis “Jim” Reeves (vcl); Alvadean Coker (vcl); Roy Howard Lanham (ld gtr); Al Coker Sr. (gtr); Dusty Rhodes (stg bs); or Sandy Coker (fdl); Geraldine Coker (stg bs).                                 Producer: Fabor Robinson

184-A/                 ARE YOU THE ONE?                                             Abbott 184, Abbott 184-45, Abbott LP-5001
G2-WW-5112       (Don Grashey-Buddy DeVal) (Dandelion Music BMI)    RCA Victor LSP-4112, RCA Victor SF-8022
                                                                                                                               RCA Camden CDS-1128, RCA International INTS-5222 
                                                                                                                               Country Music History TJR-002, Bear Family BCD-15656
                                                                                                                               Prism Leisure PLCD-1423, Demon Music/Red Box 241
                                                                                                                               High Fidelity HFCD-5023, Proper PRMCD-6071
                                                                                                                               Bear Family BCD-17356

NB(1): ABBOTT 184/184-45 released Tuesday 4th October 1955.
NB(2): ABBOTT 184/184-45 reviewed Billboard Reviews of New C&W Records Saturday 8th October 1955.
NB(3): ABBOTT LP-5001 “JIM REEVES EARLY RECORDINGS” released 1955.
NB(4): RCA VICTOR LSP-4112 “JIM REEVES AND SOME FRIENDS” released December 1969.
NB(5): ARE YOU THE ONE” is overdubbed on RCA VICTOR LSP-4112.
NB(6): RCA VICTOR SF-8022 “JIM REEVES AND SOME FRIENDS” released United Kingdom
NB(7): RCA CAMDEN CDS-1128 “JIM REEVES SINGS WITH SOME FRIENDS” released United Kingdom
NB(8): COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY TJR-002 “IN THE BEGINNING, Vol.2.” released Germany 1975.
NB(9): RCA INTERNATIONAL INTS-5222 “THE ABBOTT RECORDINGS, Vol.1.” released United Kingdom 1982.
NB(10): BEAR FAMILY BCD-15656 “WELCOME TO MY WORLD” released Germany August 1994.
NB(11): PRISM LEISURE PLCD-1423 “JIM REEVES-MEXICAN JOE” released United Kingdom August 2006.
NB(12): DEMON MUSIC/RED BOX 241 “THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION” released United Kingdom 2008.
NB(13): HIGH FIDELITY HFCD-5023 “JIM REEVES-LEGENDS OF COUNTRY MUSIC” released August 2008.
NB(14): PROPER PRMCD-6071 “THE PRIMO COLLECTION” released United Kingdom December 2008.
NB(15): BEAR FAMILY BC-17356 “JIM REEVES COMPLETE ABBOTT RECORDINGS” released Germany June 2014.

JIM REEVES - ALVADEAN COKER            
ABBOTT 184
ARE YOU THE ONE?                                 78
Reeves teams up with thrush Alvadean Coker in this bouncy novelty, and they make a happy imprint. A good juke box coin-puller.

ALVADEAN COKER and the Cokers
                                      Western Recorders, 6000 Sunset Blvd      Los Angeles, Ca.:                                                                          ca. January 1955
(vcl); Al Coker Sr. (gtr); Sandy Coker (fdl); Linda Coker (pno); Geraldine Coker (stg bs).
                                                                                                                               Producer: Fabor Robinson

176a/                  WE’RE GONNA BOP                                              Abbott 176, Abbott 176-45, Reo 8006
MSC-840             (Geraldine Coker) (Dandelion Music BMI)                                            London HL-U-8191, Rounder 1031
                                                                                                                               Supersonic FV-1172, Buffalo Bop BbCD-55010
                                                                                                                               Bear Family BCD-15936, Folkline 274-162
                                                                                                                               Proper Properbox 103, El Toro ETCD-1013
                                                                                                                               Teen Beat TBCD-252, One Day Music 3CD001
                                                                                                                               Golden Stars GSS1919503
                                                                                                                               One Day Music/Traditions Alive DAY2CD144
                                                                                                                               One Day Music DAY2LP701
                                                                                                                               Fantastic Voyage FVDD187, Bear Family BCD-16946
                          WE’RE GONNA BOP        (Alt)                                Abbott (Uniss), Bear Family BCD-15936
176b/                  DO DEE OOODLE DEE DO I’M IN LOVE                                           Abbott 176, Abbott 176-45, Reo 8006
MSC-841             (Geraldine Coker) (Dandelion Music BMI)                                            London HL-U-8191

NB(1): ABBOTT 176/176-45 released Tuesday 26th February 1955.
NB(2): ABBOTT 176/176-45 reviewed Billboard C&W Saturday 26th February 1955.
NB(3): REO 8006 released Canada February 1955.
NB(4): LONDON HL-U-8191 released United Kingdom October 1955.
NB(5): ROUNDER 1031 “WILD, WILD YOUNG WOMEN” released 1981.
NB(6): SUPERSONIC FV-1172 “HOT BOPPIN’ GIRLS, Vol.4.” released 1986.
NB(7): BUFFALO BOP BbCD-55010 “TEENAGE DOLL!” released Germany 1994.
NB(8): BEAR FAMILY BCD-15936 “THAT’LL FLAT GIT IT!, Vol.8. ROCKABILLY FROM THE VAULTS OF ABBOTT, FABOR, RADIO” released Germany 1996.
NB(9): FOKLINE 274-162 “ROCKABILLY KITTENS, Vol.2.” released United Kingdom 
NB(10): PROPER PROPERBOX 103 “FROM BOPPIN’ HILLBILLY TO RED HOT ROCKABILLY” released United Kingdom 2006.
NB(11): EL TORO ETCD-1013 “WELCOME TO THE CLUB, EARLY FEMALE ROCKABILLY” released Spain 2007.
NB(12): TEEN BEAT TBCD-252 “HIP CHICKS AND RED HOT MAMAS” released
NB(13): ONE DAY MUSIC 3CD001 “THE LONDON AMERICAN STORY RARITIES” released United Kingdom 2011.
NB(14): GOLDEN STARS GSS-1919503 “GIRL-POWERED ROCKABILLY” released Holland 2011.
NB(15): ONE DAY MUSIC/TRADITIONS ALIVE DAY2CD144 “LONDON AMERICAN ROCKABILLY” released United Kingdom March 2012.
NB(16): ONE DAY MUSIC DAY2LP701 “THE LONDON AMERICAN STORY RARITIES” release United Kingdom May 2012.
NB(17): FANTASTIC VOYAGE FVDD187 “THE ROAD TO ROCK & ROLL, Vol.3. NO STOPPING US NOW” released United Kingdom February 2014.
NB(18): BEAR FAMILY BCD-16946 “THE OTHER SIDE OF BAKERSFIELD” released Germany 2014.

SANDY COKER with The Coker Family-1
AL COKER with The Coker Family-2
                          Music City Recorders, 804 16th Avenue South       Nashville, Tn.:   Monday 30th July 1956
Al Coker Sr. (vcl-3/gtr); Sandy Coker (gtr); Geraldine Coker (stg bs).
                                                                                                                               Producer: Paul Cohen

100409/               DON’T GO BABY (DON’T GO)                                  -2-3                    Decca 30053, Decca 9-30053, MCA MCFM-2789
NA-9465              (Geraldine Coker) (Old Charter Pub. BMI)                                           MCA MAPS-9185, MCL-1756, MCA MCL-1756                                                                                                                                                                              Big Tone BTCD-5706, Bear Family BCD-15733
                                                                                                                               MCA MCACD-11119, Proper Properbox 122
                                                                                                                               Fantastic Voyage BVTD026
100410/              I LAUGHED AND WAKED AWAY                             -2-3                    Decca 30053,             9-30053
NA-9466              (Alvis Coker, Sr.) (Copar Music BMI)
100411/               FREE WHEELIN’              (Inst)-2                            Decca (Uniss)
NA-9467             ()
100412/               ROCK ISLAND RIDE                                              (Inst)-2               Decca 30051, Decca 9-30051
                          (Sandy Coker)                 

NB(1): DECCA 30051/9-30051 released Tuesday 11th September 1956.
NB(2): DECCA 30053/9-30053 released Tuesday 11th September 1956.
NB(3): DECCA 30051/30052/30053 were issued in a pictorial hard cover promo folder for DJ’s as DECCA Records Introduces The Coker Family. (45rpm) as DECCA RECORDS Introduces THE COKER FAMILY.
NB(4): MCA MCFM-2789 “RARE ROCKABILLY, Vol.2.” released United Kingdom 1977.
NB(5): MCA MAPS-9185 “20 ROCKABILLY HITS” released 1979.
NB(6): MCA MCL-1756 “DECCA RARE ROCKABILLY, Vol.2.” released France 1986.
NB(7): BIG TONE BTCD-5706 “MCA ROCKABILLIES, Vol.2.” released United Kingdom 1993.
NB(8): BEAR FAMILY BCD-15733 “THAT’LL FLAT GIT IT! ROCKABILLY FROM THE VAULTS OF DECCA RECORDS” released Germany 1994.
NB(9): MCA MCACD-11119 “DECCA ROCK & ROLL COLLECTION” released 1994.
NB(10): PROPER PROPERBOX 122 “CLASSIC ROCKABILLY” released United Kingdom 2007.
NB(11): FANTASTIC VOYAGE FVTD026 “ROOTS OF ROCKABILLY” released United Kingdom September 2009. 

ALVADEAN COKER with The Coker Family-1
SANDY COKER with The Coker Family-2
                          Music City Recorders, 804 16th Avenue South       Nashville, Tn.:   Tuesday 31st July 1956
Alvis Coker Sr. (gtr); Sandy Coker (gtr-3); Alvadean Coker (vcl-4); Geraldine Coker (stg bs).
                                                                                                                               Producer: Paul Cohen

100403/               INSUFFICIENT LOVE       -1—3-4                            Decca 30052, Decca 9-30052
NA-9472              (Jimmie Dale) (Amber Music Co. BMI)
100404/               THERE’S A TEAR IN THE EYE OF THE MAN IN THE
NA-9473              MOON                                                                  -1-3-4                             30052,            9-30052
                          (Ray Anderson-Harry Silverstein)
100405/               ARE YOU IN THE MOOD FOR LOVIN’                     -1-3-4                 Decca (Uniss)
NA-9474              ()
100406/               BABY I LIKE YOUR STYLE                                      -1-3-4                 Decca (Uniss)
NA-9475              (Gerald Dickerson)
100407/               SANDY’S RAG                 (Inst)-2-3                         Decca (Uniss)
NA-9476             (Sandy Coker)
100408/               GI T FIDDLE RAG                                                  (Inst)-2-3             Decca 30051, Decca 9-30051
NA-9477              (Sandy Coker)

NB: DECCA 30052 released Tuesday 11th September 1956.

AL COKER With The Anita Kerr Quartet-1
ALVADEAN COKER  (With The Anita Kerr Quartet-2)
Bradley Film & Recording Studio, 804 16th Avenue South              Nashville, Tn.:   Friday 19th July 1957                                                                    
Alvis Coker Sr. (vcl-3/gtr); Alvadean Coker (vcl-4);  Sandy Coker (gtr);  Geraldine Coker (stg bs); Anita Kerr Quartet-Anita Kerr/ Louis Nunley/Gil Wright/Dottie Dillard (vcl chrs).                               Producer: Paul Cohen

103112/               PLAYING CUPID              -2-4                                Decca 30580, Decca 9-30580
NA-9923              (Bee Walker-Sylvia Dee) (Wilmar Music Pub. Co. ASCAP)
103117/               ONE MORE CHANCE       -1-3                                Decca 30490, Decca 9-30490
NA-9924              (Geraldine Coker) (Old Charter Pub. Co.  Inc.BMI)
103118                LET’S DO IT AGAIN                                                -1-3                                30490,            9-30490
NA-9925              (Al Coker) (Trans World Music Pub. Inc. BMI)

NB(1): DECCA 30490/9-30490 released Tuesday 29th October 1957.
NB(2): DECCA 30490/9-30490 reviewed Billboard Reviews of New C&W Records 18th November 1957.
NB(2): DECCA 30580/9-30580 released Tuesday 18th February 1958.

ALVADEAN COKER (With The Anita Kerr Singers)
Bradley Film & Recording Studio, 804 16th Avenue South              Nashville, Tn.:   Sunday 21st July 1957
Alvadean Coker (vcl); Alvis Coker Sr. (gtr); Sandy Coker (gtr): Geraldine Coker (stg bs); Anita Kerr Quartet-Anita Kerr/Louis Nunley/Gil Wright/Dottie Dillard (vcl chrs).        Producer: Paul Cohen

103115/               DOUBLE DATE                                                      Decca (Uniss)
NA-9938              ()
103116/               IT’S NEARLY OVER                                                                         Decca 30580, Decca 9-30580
NA-9939              (Glenn Douglas-Vic McAlpin) (Copar Music Inc. BMI)

SANDY COKER
Bradley Film & Recording Studio, 804 16th Avenue South              Nashville, Tn.:   Sunday 21st July 1957
Sandy Coker (el gtr); Alvis Coker Sr. (gtr); poss Linda Coker (pno); Geraldine Coker (stg bs).
                                                                                                                               Producer: Paul Cohen

103153/               GOOD FEELIN’                (Inst)                              Decca (Uniss)
NA-9940              ()
103154/               UNDER COVER               (Inst)                              Decca 30534, Decca 9-30534
NA-9941              (Al Coker) (Trans World Pub Co. Inc. BMI)
103155/               TENDER MOMENTS         (Inst)                              Decca (Uniss)
NA-9942
103156/               HONKY TONK FREEZE    (Inst)                              Decca 30534, Decca 9-30534, Doghouse CD-004
NA-9943              (Sandy Coker) (Old Charter Music Pub. Inc. BMI)

NB(1): DECCA 30534/9-30534 released Tuesday 17th December 1957.
NB(2): DECCA 30534/9-30534 reviewed Billboard Reviews of New Pop Records 6th January 1958.

SANDY COKER
DECCA 30534
HONKY TONK FREEZE                             67
Coker renders an electric guitar solo with rhythm accompaniment. Tune is a moderate paced blues that could win some juke support. Payoff chances appear slim, however.

UNDER COVER                                        65
Mournful minor key blues instrumental with Coker in the spotlight with electric guitar soloing. Side has a boogie woogie framework. Possible juke fare.       

DISCOGRAPHY compiled by DICK GRANT & AL TURNER with acknowledgements to Richard Weize, Michel Ruppli & Frantisek Frank.

1999-2014.         



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