Jump to content

Al Kent (Al Hamilton interview) Lonely Teardrops


G F

Recommended Posts

On 11/09/2023 at 02:49, Aycliffe Pottsy said:

I'm just reading Berry Gordy's autobiography and there's no mention of Al Kent in there. He just said he wrote Lonely Teardrops for Jackie Wilson as a follow up to Reet Petite 

Al wrote "Am I The Man" for Jackie Wilson, which is one of my favourite songs by both Wilson and Kent (who recorded it for New York's Wizard Records (not to be confused with L.A.'s Wizard, for whom Hal Davis recorded).  I thought I had ALL Kent's records, but don't remember him having a release of "Lonely Teardrops".  Although I have "Dat's Why I    Love You So" and "Am I The Man" on commercially issued records.  He DID write in his book that "Lonely Teardrops" was the 3rd of the 3 songs he recorded before Jackie.  So, apparently Billy Davis had Al sing the recorded demo for Jackie to use as a guide (unless somehow I've forgotten it is on the back of one of his records I have, or I somehow missed one of his releases).

  • Up vote 1
Link to comment
Social source share

1 hour ago, Robbk said:

Al wrote "Am I The Man" for Jackie Wilson, which is one of my favourite songs by both Wilson and Kent (who recorded it for New York's Wizard Records (not to be confused with L.A.'s Wizard, for whom Hal Davis recorded).  I thought I had ALL Kent's records, but don't remember him having a release of "Lonely Teardrops".  Although I have "Dat's Why I    Love You So" and "Am I The Man" on commercially issued records.  He DID write in his book that "Lonely Teardrops" was the 3rd of the 3 songs he recorded before Jackie.  So, apparently Billy Davis had Al sing the recorded demo for Jackie to use as a guide (unless somehow I've forgotten it is on the back of one of his records I have, or I somehow missed one of his releases).

Like you all put together even with Al Kent's words in that interview leaves enough room for your theory to fit in. Which is my belief too as well. Since he might have recorded 'Lonely Teardrops' but it was never to be released.

Unlike 'Dat's Why I Love You' and 'Am I The Man' who got released by him prior Jackie's covers. Since there's no trace of Al's 'Lonely Teardrops' record we can conclude that it was never issued or even promoted only if ever.

It does make sense that he vividly remembers recording 'Lonely Teradroips' to soon after hear it on the radios by Jackie. Claiming 'I was first' to sing that. As you implied likely his recording just served as a 'maquette' for Jackie.

Link to comment
Social source share

It's a bit of a gap between Al Kent recording Lonely Teardrops and Jackie Wilson. I just think Gordy resurrected the song(s) once he'd got in with Jackie via Reet Petite in 1957. 

My assumption is Chess released the one 45 and as it didn't sell well, the two other recordings stayed in the can.

I don't think that's the same Wizard label - the Hal Davis 45.

The whole (edited) interview is now on YouTube...

 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Social source share

10 hours ago, G F said:

It's a bit of a gap between Al Kent recording Lonely Teardrops and Jackie Wilson. I just think Gordy resurrected the song(s) once he'd got in with Jackie via Reet Petite in 1957. 

My assumption is Chess released the one 45 and as it didn't sell well, the two other recordings stayed in the can.

I don't think that's the same Wizard label - the Hal Davis 45.

The whole (edited) interview is now on YouTube...

 

That's precisely why I stated that Kent's  Wizard was a New York label as opposed to L.A.'s Wizard for whom Hal Davis recorded.

Link to comment
Social source share

3 hours ago, Robbk said:

That's precisely why I stated that Kent's  Wizard was a New York label as opposed to L.A.'s Wizard for whom Hal Davis recorded.

Sorry, Robb... I typed that addendum late when tired and not fully focused. 

The other thing I was going to mention is that Al said he sang Lonely Teardrops in a slow, Ray Charles style, so it doesn't seem to be directly connected to Jackie's recording.

 

 

Link to comment
Social source share

On 16/09/2023 at 18:00, G F said:

Sorry, Robb... I typed that addendum late when tired and not fully focused. 

The other thing I was going to mention is that Al said he sang Lonely Teardrops in a slow, Ray Charles style, so it doesn't seem to be directly connected to Jackie's recording.

 

 

Thanks Graham,

Did Al mention for which record company and which producer he recorded it, and in which studio?  I assume it was recorded in New York.  I'd like to hear it, and match it against Jackie's 1965, later, slow ballad version.

 

Link to comment
Social source share

Al went to Chess in Chicago (hence the Checker release) and cut four songs, two of which were Berry's compositions (That's Why and Lonely Teardrops). I'm not sure if it'd have been Berry or Harry Balk who was the producer - he didn't say. Maybe it's still buried somewhere in Chess's vaults. I've never heard Al's version....  I should have asked him to sing a bit of it, as he did two songs.

Link to comment
Social source share


Get involved with Soul Source

Add your comments now

Join Soul Source

A free & easy soul music affair!

Join Soul Source now!

Log in to Soul Source

Jump right back in!

Log in now!


×
×
  • Create New...