Previous Vocal Group Record of the Week
#646 (Week of 1/2/10 - 1/8/10)

"Stop Cryin'"/"Please Don't Send Me"
by Little Esther (With Quartet)
on Decca 48305
released in 1953


[Above photo provided by Paul Ressler.]

Above: 1951 photo of Little Esther.

Trade Magazine Clipping: July 5, 1953—DECCA GRABS LITTLE ESTHER
Decca Records is moving ahead in its drive to grab some of the r.&b. traffic. This week the diskery pacted thrush Little Esther, formerly on the Federal label, and warbler Rudy Render. Bobby Shad, new Decca r.&b. head, takes over in his post next week....

Trade Magazine Clipping: August 1953—The Shaw Agency has signed Little Esther, who is now recording for Decca....

Trade Magazine Clipping: August 8, 1953—DECCA HYPOES R.&B. VIA TALENT SIGNINGS
New artist pactings and a stepped-up release schedule have recently given Decca Records' revitalized rhythm and blues department a shot in the arm. Newly named r.&b. chief Bob Shad has just pacted four new performers, including Savannah Churchill, Lightning Hopkins, the Patterson Singers and jazz trombonist Benny Green. Miss Churchill's first etching for the label, "Shake a Hand" b/w "Shed a Tear," was cut this week and has already been rushed to the jockeys.
Other artists handled by Shad include Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Marie Knight, Little Esther, Louis Jordan, Arthur Prysock and Coleman Hawkins. Diskery will release seven records in the r.&b. category this month, stepping up this schedule to about 10 monthly in September.

Trade Magazine Clipping: September 5, 1953—DECCA EXPANDS ARTIST ROSTER
Decca Records' bid for a growing share of the rhythm and blues business was strengthened this week by two new signings. Bob Shad, recently named head of the department, inked songstress Margie Day, formerly of the Dot label, and tenor saxist Lucky Thompson.
At the same time, Milt Gabler, Decca a.&r. chief, signed jazz pianist Eddie Heywood to a term pact. The artist was last with the label in 1947.

Click HERE for an article about Little Esther by J.C. Marion.
(Above link will open in a separate window)



[Above clipping provided by Richard Koloda.]
Above: This 1953 engagement was after Esther had signed with Decca.


Above: Label image of Decca 48305 released in October 1953. Rosemarie McCoy shares composer credits on both sides (McCoy is also composer on Esther's first record, "I Gotta Guy," from 1949). This is Little Esther's first of at least two releases on Decca. She had previously recorded for the Modern, Savoy and Federal labels.

Billboard Reviews 11/7/53:
Stop Cryin' ....75 — Little Esther's piping, like which there is none other, is put to use in a sad pop-type blues, and the net result is a convincing waxing. The gal creates a mood that many should find appealing.
Please Don't Send Me ....72 — Little Esther pleads her case convincingly above the slow but insistent rhythms of the ork. Dancers will like this effort.

Listen to this week's selections by Little Esther on Decca 48305 from 1953:
[Audio restoration by Dave Saviet.]
     A. Stream RealAudio (DO NOT USE...LISTEN USING DOWNLOAD REALAUDIO)...
 
          1. Stop Cryin'
          2. Please Don't Send Me
 
          BOTH played in sequence

     B. Download RealAudio...
 
          1. Stop Cryin'
          2. Please Don't Send Me

     C. Stream/Download Media Player...
 
          1. Stop Cryin'
          2. Please Don't Send Me


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


THANK YOU to all who have helped with "Record Of The Week" during 2009, including the following:

Todd Baptista
Andrew Bohan
David Cummings
Galen Gart
Marv Goldberg
Ferdie Gonzalez
Pete Grendysa
Richard Koloda
J.C. Marion
Gilles Petard
Paul Ressler
Dave Saviet

Your assistance is truly appreciated!


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