(Week of 6/30/01 - 7/6/01)

---

BATTLE OF THE "JOES"!

"Juke Box Joe"
by The Ginger Snaps
on Victor 20-1758-B
released in 1945

"Pittsburgh Joe"
by The Velvetones
on Sonora 3010-A
released in 1946

Above Left: Label image for "Juke Box Joe" by The Ginger Snaps. This is their second of four releases on (RCA) Victor (1945-47). Their third was "I Left My Heart In Mississipi" in 1946. Their only other records were two releases on the University label (1944-45). The group was one male (Charles Ford) and three females (see picture below). In this song, two of the females refer to themselves as "Ethel" and "Leona".

Above Right: Label image for "Pittsburgh Joe" by The Velvetones. This is their first of four releases on Sonora (1946-47). Their second was "It Just Ain't Right"/"Reverse The Charges" in 1946. They also had releases on Coronet (1946) and Columbia (1950). For a photo of the group and more information, click HERE.

Listen to this week's selections:

A) Click on an option below to listen to Streaming RealAudio.

"Juke Box Joe" - Ginger Snaps - Victor 20-1758-B - 1945
"Pittsburgh Joe" - Velvetones - Sonora 3010-A - 1946
"BOTH SONGS" played in sequence

B) Click on an option below to listen to Downloading RealAudio.

"Juke Box Joe" - Ginger Snaps - Victor 20-1758-B - 1945 (file size=454KB)
"Pittsburgh Joe" - Velvetones - Sonora 3010-A - 1946 (file size=449KB)

At left is a July 8, 1944 ad from the Chicago Defender.

At top of ad: "See and hear the Four Ginger Snaps, famous singing foursome"

Inset: "Four Ginger Snaps know how to chase the blues.. The Four Ginger Snaps agree that one cola tastes best! Here Charles Ford takes the famous cola taste-test... 'It's a swell blues chaser!' say the Four Ginger Snaps..."

Thanks, George Moonoogian, for providing this ad. From George: "As far as I can research, they were a quartet on all recordings, RCA and University, although I have a xerox sheet music of them as a trio."

Here is a clip from a 1944 G.I. Journal radio show (hosted by Burns and Allen) provided by George Moonoogian. The Ginger Snaps sing "Shrimp Man". This song was their first release on the Victor label.

RealAudio Streaming
RealAudio Downloading

This site is non-commercial. All information displayed is provided to further the general public's knowledge of RnB vocal group harmony.