Tommy Tucker

Listen/Download Tommy Tucker – Long Tall Shorty

Listen/Download Tommy Tucker – Mo’ Shorty

Greetings all

Welcome once again into the inner sanctum of all things soulful.

Welcome to another groovy week here at Funky16Corners.

I thought we’d get things started with one of the truly great slabs of R&B/soul.

‘Long Tall Shorty’ is one of the UR documents of the mod/beat sound, having been covered by both the Kinks and the Graham Bond Organization and holding a place of honor on many a sweaty basement club turntable during the early 60s.

Tommy Tucker had already had a hit with ‘High Heel Sneakers’ in 1963, before laying down ‘Long Tall Shorty’ (co-written by none other than Don Covay) the following year.

Tucker, born Robert Higginbotham in 1933 was a singer, pianist/organist who recorded in a variety of settings (groups and solo) between 1951 and 1967.

‘Long Tall Shorty’ is an especially interesting cut. It – like ‘High Heel Sneakers’ is built on a pretty standard, uncomplicated, Jimmy Reed-esque frame, but thanks to a sly build up and some very tasty guitar turns into something else entirely by the time its 2:23 are done.

Though Tucker worked extensively with guitarist Welton ‘Dean’ Young, it would seem that the guitarist on this 45 is in fact Timmy Oliver, as Young was on the road performing as one half of Dean and Jean.

The song starts off chugging amiably, but gathers steam gradually, almost imperceptibly until the band is running at top speed. It’s not hard to imagine a cellar full of pilled up modernists moving and grooving to this one.

Though the record has obvious roots in a slightly earlier bag, by the time the organ kicks in it’s obvious that Tucker is operating in a fully modern context. Aside from a couple of Bo Diddley sides, I can hardly think of an artist dragging quite so much old school R&B into a soulful setting this late in the game (though I have full confidence that one of you fine souls will provide an example or two that blows that thesis out of the water).

If you can get your hands on a copy of this 45 – which shouldn’t be too terribly difficult – you need to get to the end of ‘Long Tall Shorty’ and continue on to the b-side, the instrumental take thereon, entitled ‘Mo’ Shorty’. The guitar work is outstanding, and if anyone out there knows anything about Timmy Oliver (I haven’t been able to find anything) please let me know.

So roll back the rug, throw back a pint or two and get to dancing.

I’ll see you on Wednesday.

Keep the faith

Larry

 

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Also, the brand new Funky16Corners ‘Keep Calm and Stay Funky’ stickers have arrived!

The stickers are 4″ x 3″ and printed on high quality, glossy stock.

They are $2.00 each, with free shipping in the US ($2.00 per order shipping outside of the US).

Click here to go to the ordering page.
Also, make sure that you check out the links below to the Be The Match Foundation and POAC (click on the logos for more info).

 

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.