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TRIBUTE TO JIMMY SWEENEY - PART ONE OF TWO
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"I Pay With Every Breath"/ |
"I'll Try To Forget I've Loved You"/ |
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TRIBUTE TO JIMMY SWEENEY - PART ONE OF TWO
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"I Pay With Every Breath"/ |
"I'll Try To Forget I've Loved You"/ |
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Above: (Left) Jimmy Sweeney and (Right) The Varieteers with Jimmy Sweeney at left. Sweeney was also known as Jimmy Bell, who later recorded for the Hickory label as a single artist.Comments about her dad from Eugenia JoAnn Sweeney III:
James Sweeney Jr. (b. March 1922—d. October 1992)
My father could very well have become a rock 'n' roll icon. He possessed the chops and good looks, but he lacked the two essentials: drive and ambition. Instead, he was quiet, humble, reserved and intense. When he was signed to the Hickory label, he took the professional name Jimmy Bell and for a while, he enjoyed moderate success. He traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada promoting his recordings and in so doing, gathered a legion of fans. Then, at the height of it all, he opted out and came home.After becoming inactive, he continued to write, penning songs that were recorded by Marty Robbins. In 1992, he succumbed to cancer, leaving a wife, five children and nine grandchildren to mourn his death.
It is from the basement of my heart that I offer thanks to Tony Fournier and The Vocal Group Harmony Web Site for taking such an interest in Jimmy, my dad, my Bah-bah.
Excerpts from The Billboard:
(8/7/48) "Appointment With Music" (NBC radio show originating from Nashville) ....the Varieteers (guests), who rendered "All Dressed Up With A Broken Heart".... [This song was released on the Bullet label in 1947 by Jimmy Sweeney's group The Five Bars](5/28/55) The Varieteers ***Call My Gal, Miss Jones/Minnie, Come Home on Hickory 1025*** There is some spin potential here.... strong in pop and r&b areas.
(3/7/60) Special Merit Spotlights - Jimmy Bell ***Prayin' For Someone To Love/What'cha Gonna Do About Me on Hickory 1115*** Bell impressively sells two listenable songs. Both are nicely handled.
(11/28/60) Jimmy Bell ***She Wears My Ring/Going Down To The River on Hickory 1136*** Lad has a potent vocal style....
(12/19/60) Acuff-Rose Publications is excited over the first Hickory release of Jimmy Bell, new find for the label.
(5/22/61) Jimmy Bell ***Lunch In A Bucket/(Yes) Here I Go Again on Hickory 1146*** Bell comes through.... with a heartfelt reading....
(10/30/61) Jimmy Bell ***The Poorest Boy In Town/Honey Bee on Hickory 1156***
(8/11/62) Jimmy Sweeney ***She Wears My Ring/What'cha Gonna Do About Me on Buckley 1101*** ....spotlights Sweeney in a strong performance of a pretty ballad.... [Apparently from Jimmy Bell Hickery masters]
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Above: Label images of Hickory 1014 released in August 1954 and M-G-M 10888-A released in January 1951. Jimmy Sweeney is composer on both sides of the Hickory offering.Listen to this week's selections by The Varieteers:
[Audio restoration by Dave Saviet.]
A. Stream RealAudio (DO NOT USE...LISTEN USING DOWNLOAD REALAUDIO)...
1. I Pay With Every Breath - Hickory - 1954
2. If You And I Could Be Sweethearts - " "
3. I'll Try To Forget I've Loved You - MGM - 1951
4. You Don't Move Me No More - " "
ALL FOUR played in sequenceB. Download RealAudio...
1. I Pay With Every Breath - Hickory - 1954
2. If You And I Could Be Sweethearts - " "
3. I'll Try To Forget I've Loved You - MGM - 1951
4. You Don't Move Me No More - " "C. Stream/Download Media Player...
1. I Pay With Every Breath - Hickory - 1954
2. If You And I Could Be Sweethearts - " "
3. I'll Try To Forget I've Loved You - MGM - 1951
4. You Don't Move Me No More - " "
The Billboard 9-4-54 Review
[To download audio files, right-click on link and then select "Save (Link) Target As..."]
Click HERE for TRIBUTE TO JIMMY SWEENEY - PART TWO.
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