Previous Vocal Group Record of the Week
#897 (10/21/17)

NOTICE: Future Records of the Week will appear on a random schedule, rather than every two weeks.
The Previous Records of the Week for Cee Pee Johnson, Ann Nichols and Sally Gooding have been upgraded on 10/7/17.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE SWALLOWS   
(Including Audio For Twelve Of Their Sides)    

"Since You've Been Away"/"Wishing For You"
The Swallows
on King 4466-A/AA
released in 1951

"Eternally"/"It Ain't The Meat"
The Swallows
on King 4501-A/AA
released in 1951

"You Left Me"/"Beside You"
The Swallows
on King 4525-A/AA
released in 1952


"You Walked In"/"I Only Have Eyes For You"
The Swallows
on King 4533-A/AA
released in 1952

"Nobody's Lovin' Me"/"Bicycle Tillie"
The Swallows
on King 4632
released in 1953

"Trust Me"/"Pleading Blues"
The Swallows
on King 4656
released in 1953

Above: The Swallows from 1951: (L-R) Eddie Rich, Earl Hurley, Frederick "Money" Johnson, Herman "Junior" Denby, and Norris "Bunky" Mack.

Click HERE for an article about The Swallows by Marv Goldberg.
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Above: The Swallows from 1951: (L-R) Earl Hurley, Frederick "Money" Johnson, Eddie Rich, Norris "Bunky" Mack, and Herman "Junior" Denby.


[The above photo courtesy of Paul Ressler.]
Above: The Swallows (L-R) Irving Turner, Earl Hurley, Frederick "Money" Johnson, Eddie Rich, and Edward "Buddy" Crawford. Photo is dated "November 1954."


Above Left: Label image of King 4466 recorded on April 6, 1951 and released in August 1951. (Label image and audio for this record provided by Dave Saviet.)
Henry Glover is credited as a composer on four of the twelve sides featured on this webpage. He also shows up on several of the other Swallows' records.

Above Right: Label image of King 4501 recorded on September 19, 1951 released in December 1951.

The Billboard Review (9/1/51):

THE SWALLOWS — KING 4466....
Since You've Been Away
(80) One of the best of many new vocal groups turns in an effective slicing of a pleasant shmaltz ballad.
Wishing For You (83) This side should provide the group with a bid for a hit. Performance is cleaner and sharper and the tune follows a simple, direct line. Good bet.

(NOTE: A ratings range of 80-89 was considered "excellent.")

The Cash Box Review (9/8/51):

THE SWALLOWS — KING 4466.... Wishing For You/Since You've Been Away
The Swallows, who've been showing such great promise, have another couple of sides which should bring them a lot of approval. Each of these is a ballad done in a vocal solo style with the boys chiming in and each is wonderful to hear. These can't help but do well.

The Billboard Review (12/22/51):

THE SWALLOWS — KING 4501....
It Ain't The Meat
(85) The vocal group has a winner in a rhythmic, hand-clapper with an intriguing lyric. This one could follow the "Sixty Minute Man" success story. Could meet with difficulties at radio censors.
Eternally (77) Group essays a ballad here with tenor voice in the lead. Result is an okay side.

(NOTE: A ratings range of 70-79 was considered "good" and 80-89 "excellent.")

The Cash Box Review (12/22/51):

THE SWALLOWS — KING 4501.... It Ain't The Meat/Eternally
The Swallows have themselves a time with a beaty jump tune on the upper end. The lead vocal plus the handclappin' and backing make this an enjoyable disk. The bottom deck is a slow and pretty ballad that once again comes out as a wonderful ear full. The first side can make it.


Above Left: Label image of King 4525 recorded on September 19, 1951 (flip side on October 10, 1951) and released in April 1952.

Above Right: Label image of King 4533 recorded on February 13, 1952 released in May 1952.

The Cash Box Review (4/19/52):

THE SWALLOWS — KING 4525.... You Left Me/Beside You
A slow pretty item is treated to the accomplished harmonizing of The Swallows. The boys render a dramatic reading of a strong set of lyrics. A solid musical backdrop is provided by the instrumental group, with the resulting waxing a likely disk. The second lid is another slow piece warmly treated by the talented group. Ops have two strong sides to choose from.

The Cash Box Review (5/31/52):

THE SWALLOWS — KING 4533....
You Walked In
(C) The group harmonizes on a slow, romantic item. Lead vocalist does well with a humming background.
I Only Have Eyes For You (B) The Swallows present a smooth and easy rendition of the slow oldie. The blending of voices is effective and the side is a strong one.

(NOTE: A rating of B was considered "very good" and C was "fair.")



Above Left: Label image of King 4632 recorded on October 9, 1952 (flip side on March 20, 1953) and released in May 1953.

Above Right: Label image of King 4656 recorded on October 9, 1952 (flip side on March 20, 1953) and released in September 1953.

"Nobody's Lovin' Me" and "Trust Me" are actually done by Junior Denby and a studio group. The flips of these are by the "real" Swallows group.

The Swallows had eleven releases on King (1951-53) and one release on After Hours (1954). A revamped group, led by Eddie Rich, had four releases on King's subsidiary label, Federal (1958).

The Billboard Review (6/13/53):

THE SWALLOWS — KING 4632....
Bicycle Tillie
(77) Here's a strong side by the Swallows, with lyrics that are outspoken enough to get it some attention. It's a novelty effort with a good beat, and the boys make the most of the lyrics. It may not get many jock spins, but it should pull juke loot.
Nobody's Lovin' Me (75) The boys sing this one with a lot of feeling as they tell why they are sad and blue. The lead sells it warmly. A nice side.

(NOTE: A ratings range of 70-79 was considered "good.")

The Cash Box Review (6/13/53):

THE SWALLOWS — KING 4632....
Bicycle Tillie
(C+) The Swallows blend vocally on a play on words. Using the terms applicable to riding a bicycle the boys manage to impart a warmish interpretation.
Nobody's Lovin' Me (B) The group dishes up a slow blues with sentimental lyrics on the flipdeck. Lead dejectedly tells of loving somebody while no one loves him.

(NOTE: A rating of B was considered "very good" and C+ was "good.")

The Cash Box Review (10/3/53):

THE SWALLOWS — KING 4656....
Pleading Blues
(C+) The Swallows go wild on a quick beat with lead pleading to his baby to please come back. A driving item with rhythmic hand claps. Sax is torrid and enthusiastic.
Trust Me (B) The under lid is a slow blues ballad with romantic lyrics. Lead sings warmly and with emotion. A sprinkling piano lends color.

(NOTE: A rating of B was considered "very good" and C+ was "good.")

NOTE: A very special thanks to Joe Marchesani for his contributions to this Record of the Week.

NOTE: Most discographical information provided at this website is from Ferdie Gonzalez' Disco-File.


Listen to this week's selections featuring The Swallows on King from 1951-1953:
[Audio restoration by Dave Saviet.]

     A. Stream RealAudio (DO NOT USE...LISTEN USING DOWNLOAD REALAUDIO)...
 
          1. Since You've Been Away
          2. Wishing For You
          3. Eternally
          4. It Ain't The Meat
          5. You Left Me
          6. Beside You
          7. You Walked In
          8. I Only Have Eyes For You
          9. Nobody's Lovin' Me
          10. Bicycle Tillie
          11. Trust Me
          12. Pleading Blues
 
          ALL TWELVE played in sequence

     B. Download RealAudio...
 
          1. Since You've Been Away
          2. Wishing For You
          3. Eternally
          4. It Ain't The Meat
          5. You Left Me
          6. Beside You
          7. You Walked In
          8. I Only Have Eyes For You
          9. Nobody's Lovin' Me
          10. Bicycle Tillie
          11. Trust Me
          12. Pleading Blues

     C. Stream/Download Media Player...
 
          1. Since You've Been Away
          2. Wishing For You
          3. Eternally
          4. It Ain't The Meat
          5. You Left Me
          6. Beside You
          7. You Walked In
          8. I Only Have Eyes For You
          9. Nobody's Lovin' Me
          10. Bicycle Tillie
          11. Trust Me
          12. Pleading Blues
 
          ALL TWELVE played in sequence



(October 1956 Clipping - Baltimore, MD)
















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


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