#669 (Week of 6/26/10 - 7/2/10)

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THIS WEEK'S SELECTION PROVIDED BY ANDREW BOHAN

"Shtiggy Boom"
by Patti Anne
on Aladdin 3280
released in 1955

Above: Photo of Patti Anne from January 1954 Jet Magazine.

JET MAGAZINE, January 28, 1954:
Backed by her wealthy white father and her blonde Negro-mother, Patty Ann Mesner, a pretty, gingerbread-brown Los Angeles girl made her debut in the enter­tainment field, scoring heavily with critics—who promptly dubbed her a "Silver Spoon Singer." The adopted daughter of recording company president Eddie Mesner, Patty began her career at the top of the trade with enviable recording and booking con­nections which landed her engagements with Louis Jordan and Duke Ellington.

Patty's riches-to-riches career began last August when Mesner heard her singing at their home in the ultra-swank Pacific Palisades section of Los An­geles. Mesner, who adopted Patty soon after he mar­ried her mother, Reese, in 1945, immediately rushed her to his studio (Aladdin) and recorded two ballads. Louis Jordan heard the records and used her as a singer with his band on several dates. Club and theater engagements followed in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago where she appeared on pro­grams with Duke Ellington at the Regal Theater.

A quiet-spoken entertainer who paints during her spare time, Patty—whose real name is Patricia Mes­ner—has a fresh, inviting style. She is an avid John­ny Ray fan and her gestures and facial movements are in the wind-mill-like Johnny Ray style. Critics predict a brilliant career for Patty, who graduated from Los Angeles' Dorsey High School in 1949.

JET MAGAZINE, June 30, 1955:
The new singer with Lionel Hampton's band is cute Patty Ann Mesner, whose father owns Aladdin Records. Her mother, Reese, travels with Patty Ann to discourage the stagedoor Johnnies.

Above: (L-R) Photos from June 1955 and January 1954 issues of Jet Magazine.

Above Left: Label image of Aladdin 3280 recorded on January 29, 1955 and released in February of that year. The flip side has no vocal group. Patti Anne had two previous releases on Aladdin (1952-53) under the name "Patty Anne" and backed by The Hollywood Flames.

Trade Magazine Feb. 1955:
Favorite expression around Aladdin offices these days is "Shtiggy Boom." Both Leo and Eddie Mesner are firmly convinced that their version of the tune with Patti Anne will soon hit the top. Ditty is also getting strong pop coverage as well as r&b, with versions out by the Nuggets (Capitol), Leo Diamond (RCA Victor), the Dooley Sisters (Tampa). Tune was written by harmonica wizard Leo Diamond and Al Jarvis, Coast jockey.
(NOTE: There was also a version by Bill Johnson And His Rockers on the Ronnex label.)

Above Right: Photo of Patti Anne circa 1953-54.

Listen to this week's selection by Patti Anne on Aladdin 3280 from 1955:
[Audio restoration by Dave Saviet.]

A. Stream RealAudio (DO NOT USE...LISTEN USING DOWNLOAD REALAUDIO)...             Shtiggy Boom      B. Download RealAudio...             Shtiggy Boom      C. Stream/Download Media Player...             Shtiggy Boom

     [To download audio files, right-click on link and then select "Save (Link) Target As..."]

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