A Shot of Rhythm and Blues
Encyclopedia
"A Shot of Rhythm and Blues" is a song written by Terry Thompson and first recorded by US soul singer Arthur Alexander
. It was originally released in the USA in 1961, and in the United Kingdom
the following year, as the b-side of You Better Move On.
Johnny Kidd and the Pirates
released the song as a single in 1962. It features Johnny Kidd on vocals, Mick Green
on lead guitar, Johnny Spence on bass and Frank Farley on drums.
The Beatles
recorded "A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues" three times for the BBC
in 1963, with John Lennon
on lead vocals each time. One of the versions was included on the Live at the BBC
album, released in 1994. Gerry and the Pacemakers also covered the song.
In July 1963, Cilla Black
notably recorded the song during her first ever recording session at Abbey Road Studios
. Cilla subsequently passed this audition and signed a recording contract with Parlophone Records. A take from this recording session was included on the The Abbey Road Decade: 1963-1973 album, released in 1997.
Van Morrison
and Linda Gail Lewis
performed the song on their 2000 album You Win Again
.
Arthur Alexander
Arthur Alexander was an American country soul singer. Jason Ankeny, music critic for Allmusic, said Alexander was a "country-soul pioneer" and though largely unknown, "his music is the stuff of genius, a poignant and deeply intimate body of work on par with the best of his...
. It was originally released in the USA in 1961, and in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
the following year, as the b-side of You Better Move On.
Johnny Kidd and the Pirates
Johnny Kidd and the Pirates
Johnny Kidd & The Pirates were an English rock 'n' roll group led by singer/songwriter Johnny Kidd. They scored numerous hit songs from the late 1950s to the early 1960s, including the rock & roll classics 'Shakin' All Over' and 'Please Don't Touch', but their influence far outshines their chart...
released the song as a single in 1962. It features Johnny Kidd on vocals, Mick Green
Mick Green
Michael Robert "Mick" Green was an English rock and roll guitarist who played with Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas.-Biography:He was born Michael Robert Green, in Matlock, Derbyshire...
on lead guitar, Johnny Spence on bass and Frank Farley on drums.
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
recorded "A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues" three times for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
in 1963, with John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
on lead vocals each time. One of the versions was included on the Live at the BBC
Live at the BBC (The Beatles album)
Live at the BBC is a 1994 compilation album featuring performances by The Beatles that were originally broadcast on various BBC Light Programme radio shows from 1963 through 1965. The monaural album, available in multiple formats but most commonly as a two-CD set, consists of 56 songs and 13 tracks...
album, released in 1994. Gerry and the Pacemakers also covered the song.
In July 1963, Cilla Black
Cilla Black
Cilla Black OBE is an English singer, actress, entertainer and media personality, who has been consistently popular as a light entertainment figure since 1963. She is most famous for her singles Anyone Who Had A Heart, You're My World, and Alfie...
notably recorded the song during her first ever recording session at Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
. Cilla subsequently passed this audition and signed a recording contract with Parlophone Records. A take from this recording session was included on the The Abbey Road Decade: 1963-1973 album, released in 1997.
Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
and Linda Gail Lewis
Linda Gail Lewis
Linda Gail Lewis is an American singer and pianist. She is the sister of Jerry Lee Lewis.She plays piano and has recorded with Stephen Ackles, Van Morrison, and with her brother. She also has recorded with her two daughtersMaryJean Ferguson, and Annie Marie Dolan in a group called The Lewis 3...
performed the song on their 2000 album You Win Again
You Win Again (album)
You Win Again is the twenty-eighth album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, and Linda Gail Lewis, released in 2000...
.