States Records
Encyclopedia
States Record Company was a Chicago
-based record label
. A subsidiary of United Records
, it was in business from May 1952 to December 1957. States focused on rhythm and blues
, jazz
, and gospel
.
States was operated by Leonard Allen and Lew Simpkins until Simpkins' death in April 1953; thereafter, Allen was solely responsible for the company.
Most sessions for States were done at Universal Recording, with high-fidelity results.
The most important blues artist to record for States was Junior Wells
, making his debut as a leader; he cut sessions for the company in 1953 and 1954. In the down-home category, Allen also released singles by Robert Nighthawk
and Big Walter Horton
, as well as pianist Eddie Ware, guitarist L. C. McKinley, and drummer James Bannister. Standup blues singers to record for the label included Edward "The Great Gates" White (accompanied on his outing by Tom Archia
and Red Saunders
), Cliff Butler, Arbee Stidham
, Jack Cooley, and Harold Burrage.
States issued juke-box jazz
sides by tenor saxophonists
Paul Bascomb
, Jimmy Coe
, and Cozy Eggleston. A few forays into the Detroit scene produced rhythm and blues
by Sax Kari, Jimmy Hamilton
, T. J. Fowler, and Helen Thompson. States became involved in doo-wop
in 1953 when Allen recorded The Hornets. He soon added The Danderliers, the Five Chances, The Strollers and The Palms.
The vocal groups were rehearsed by Al Smith, who also led studio bands featuring such performers as guitarist Lefty Bates
, tenor saxophonist Red Holloway
, and drummer Vernel Fournier
. In gospel
, The Caravans
were a mainstay of the label throughout its existence. Eventually, Allen added the Genesa Smith Singers and the Lucy Smith Singers.
Allen did less recording after 1954, and closed both of his labels around the end of 1957. States releases ran consecutively from 101 to 164, for a total of 64 singles on the label.
States relied heavily on The Caravans
, releasing 14 singles on them and compiling many more unissued tracks. After the company closed, Savoy Records
, which had signed the group and was seeking to consolidate its position in gospel music, bought this rich cache of material. States' remaining output was acquired in 1975 by Bob Koester
of Delmark Records
, and has been included in comprehensive reissue programs.
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
-based record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. A subsidiary of United Records
United Records
For "United Records", see United Records United Records was in business from July 1951 to December 1957. It was operated by Chicago businessman Leonard Allen, initially in collaboration with Lew Simpkins...
, it was in business from May 1952 to December 1957. States focused on rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, and gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
.
States was operated by Leonard Allen and Lew Simpkins until Simpkins' death in April 1953; thereafter, Allen was solely responsible for the company.
Most sessions for States were done at Universal Recording, with high-fidelity results.
The most important blues artist to record for States was Junior Wells
Junior Wells
Junior Wells , born Amos Wells Blakemore Jr., was an American Chicago blues vocalist, harmonica player, and recording artist...
, making his debut as a leader; he cut sessions for the company in 1953 and 1954. In the down-home category, Allen also released singles by Robert Nighthawk
Robert Lee McCollum
Robert Lee McCollum was an American blues musician, who played and recorded under the pseudonyms Robert Lee McCoy and Robert Nighthawk.-Robert Lee McCoy:...
and Big Walter Horton
Big Walter Horton
Walter Horton, better known as Big Walter Horton or Walter "Shakey" Horton, was an American blues harmonica player. A quiet, unassuming and essentially shy man, Horton is remembered as one of the premier harmonica players in the history of blues...
, as well as pianist Eddie Ware, guitarist L. C. McKinley, and drummer James Bannister. Standup blues singers to record for the label included Edward "The Great Gates" White (accompanied on his outing by Tom Archia
Tom Archia
Ernest Alvin Archia, Jr. , was a jazz tenor saxophonist. He took "Texas Tom" as his marquee name.Archia was born, in Groveton, Texas...
and Red Saunders
Red Saunders
Red Saunders was a British photographer and founder of Rock Against Racism. He has specialised in rock music photography. He is part of theatre group Complicite.-External links:* * http://www.reddogonline.eu/mcredman.htm...
), Cliff Butler, Arbee Stidham
Arbee Stidham
Arbee Stidham was an American blues singer and multi-instrumentalist, most successful in the late 1940s and 1950s....
, Jack Cooley, and Harold Burrage.
States issued juke-box jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
sides by tenor saxophonists
Tenor saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
Paul Bascomb
Paul Bascomb
Paul Bascomb was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, noted for his extended tenure with Erskine Hawkins. He is a 1979 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame....
, Jimmy Coe
Jimmy Coe
James R. Coe was a jazz saxophonist.He first played in a band with Erroll "Groundhog" Grandy who mentored J. J. Johnson and Wes Montgomery...
, and Cozy Eggleston. A few forays into the Detroit scene produced rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
by Sax Kari, Jimmy Hamilton
Jimmy Hamilton
Jimmy Hamilton was an American jazz clarinetist, tenor saxophonist, arranger, composer, and music educator, best known for his twenty-five years with Duke Ellington....
, T. J. Fowler, and Helen Thompson. States became involved in doo-wop
Doo-wop
The name Doo-wop is given to a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music that developed in African American communities in the 1940s and achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. It emerged from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and...
in 1953 when Allen recorded The Hornets. He soon added The Danderliers, the Five Chances, The Strollers and The Palms.
The vocal groups were rehearsed by Al Smith, who also led studio bands featuring such performers as guitarist Lefty Bates
Lefty Bates
Lefty Bates was an American Chicago blues guitarist. He led the Lefty Bates Combo, and variously worked with the El Dorados, the Flamingos, Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Etta James, the Aristo-Kats, the Hi-De-Ho Boys, the Moroccos, the Impressions, and a latter day version of the Ink Spots...
, tenor saxophonist Red Holloway
Red Holloway
James W. "Red" Holloway is an American jazz tenor saxophonist.-Biography:Holloway started playing banjo and harmonica, switching to tenor sax when he was twelve years old...
, and drummer Vernel Fournier
Vernel fournier
Vernel Anthony Fournier and, from 1975, known as Amir Rushdan, was a jazz drummer probably best known for his work with Ahmad Jamal from 1956 to 1962....
. In gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
, The Caravans
The Caravans
The Caravans is a Jubilee Gospel group that was started by Albertina Walker . The group reached its peak popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, launching the careers of a number of artists, including: Delores Washington, Albertina Walker, Bessie Griffin, Cassietta George, Dorothy Norwood, Inez...
were a mainstay of the label throughout its existence. Eventually, Allen added the Genesa Smith Singers and the Lucy Smith Singers.
Allen did less recording after 1954, and closed both of his labels around the end of 1957. States releases ran consecutively from 101 to 164, for a total of 64 singles on the label.
States relied heavily on The Caravans
The Caravans
The Caravans is a Jubilee Gospel group that was started by Albertina Walker . The group reached its peak popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, launching the careers of a number of artists, including: Delores Washington, Albertina Walker, Bessie Griffin, Cassietta George, Dorothy Norwood, Inez...
, releasing 14 singles on them and compiling many more unissued tracks. After the company closed, Savoy Records
Savoy Records
Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part in popularizing bebop.Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part...
, which had signed the group and was seeking to consolidate its position in gospel music, bought this rich cache of material. States' remaining output was acquired in 1975 by Bob Koester
Bob Koester
Robert Gregg "Bob" Koester is the American founder and owner of Delmark Records, one of the oldest independent record labels in the United States, and one of jazz's best-known imprints...
of Delmark Records
Delmark Records
Delmark Records is an independent American jazz and blues record label, based in Chicago since 1958. The label originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1953 when owner Bob Koester released a recording of the Windy City Six, a traditional jazz group, under the "Delmar" imprint.-History:Born in 1932 in...
, and has been included in comprehensive reissue programs.
Releases
- S-101 - "Marie"/"I Like Barbecue" - The Guy Brothers and Orchestra
- S-102 - "Blues and the Beat"/"Blackout" - Paul BascombPaul BascombPaul Bascomb was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, noted for his extended tenure with Erskine Hawkins. He is a 1979 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame....
and His All Star Orchestra - S-103 - "Think of His Goodness to You"/"Tell the Angels" - The CaravansThe CaravansThe Caravans is a Jubilee Gospel group that was started by Albertina Walker . The group reached its peak popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, launching the careers of a number of artists, including: Delores Washington, Albertina Walker, Bessie Griffin, Cassietta George, Dorothy Norwood, Inez...
- S-104 - "Late One Night"/"Let's Drink" - Gilbert Holiday and his Combo
- S-105 - "Lord Is Riding"/"On the Battlefield" - The Veteran Singers
- S-106 - "Lonely Monday"/"Cool One-Groove Two" - Tommy Dean and his Gloom Raiders
- S-107 - "Blues Train"/"You Ain't Gonna Worry Me" - Browley Guy and the Skyscrapers (with Paul Bascomb)
- S-108 - "Stranger of Galilee"/"Count Your Blessings" -The Caravans
- S-109 - "Get Away Jordan"/"He'll Be There" - The Caravans
- S-110 - "Got Cool Too Soon"/"Coquette" - Paul Bascomb and His All-Star Band
- S-111 - "Raining"/"Foolish" - Tommy Dean and his Gloom Raiders
- S-112 - "Adam's Rib"/"Benny's Blues" - Cliff Butler and His Blue Boys
- S-113 - "Big Fifty"/"Rockaway Special" - Jimmy HamiltonJimmy HamiltonJimmy Hamilton was an American jazz clarinetist, tenor saxophonist, arranger, composer, and music educator, best known for his twenty-five years with Duke Ellington....
, Mighty Man of the Tenor Sax - S-114 - "Heartache Blues"/"Stormy Monday" - Grant (Mr. Blues) Jones and Orchestra
- S-115 - "Daughter (That's Your Red Wagon)"/"Down for Debbie" - Swinging Sax Kari and His Orchestra
- S-116 - "God Is Good to Me"/"Blessed Assurance" -The Caravans
- S-117 - "Henry"/"You Let My Love Grow Cold" - Swinging Sax Kari and His Orchestra
- S-118 - "After Hour Joint"/"Baby I'm Gone" - Jimmy CoeJimmy CoeJames R. Coe was a jazz saxophonist.He first played in a band with Erroll "Groundhog" Grandy who mentored J. J. Johnson and Wes Montgomery...
and his Gay Cats of Rhythm - S-119 - "Why Should I Worry"/"On My Way Home" - The Caravans
- S-120 - "How Can I Let You Go"/"Scammon Boogie" - Tommy Dean and his Gloom Raiders
- S-121 - "Soul and Body"/"Matilda" - Paul Bascomb
- S-122 - "Cut That Out"/"Eagle Rock" - Junior WellsJunior WellsJunior Wells , born Amos Wells Blakemore Jr., was an American Chicago blues vocalist, harmonica player, and recording artist...
- S-123 - "People Will Talk"/"When You Love" - Cliff Butler and his Doves
- S-124 - "Mother in Law" / "Rockabye Baby" - Edward "Gates" White
- S-125 - "Could But I Ain't"/"Rain on My Window" - Jack Cooley and his Orchestra
- S-126 - "All by Myself"/"Going Down to Big Mary's" - Helen Thompson and Orchestra
- S-127 - "Lonesome Baby"/"I Can't Believe" - The Hornets and Orchestra
- S-128 - "I Know the Lord Will Make a Way"/"What a Friend We Have in Jesus" - The Caravans
- S-129 - "Raid on the After Hour Joint"/"He's Alright with Me" - Jimmy Coe and his Gay Cats of Rhythm
- S-130 - "The Stuff I Like"/"Lonely Broken Heart" - Eddie Ware
- S-131 - "Maggie Campbell"/"The Moon Is Rising" - Robert NighthawkRobert Lee McCollumRobert Lee McCollum was an American blues musician, who played and recorded under the pseudonyms Robert Lee McCoy and Robert Nighthawk.-Robert Lee McCoy:...
and his Nighthawks Band - S-132 - "Tell Me What's the Matter"/"The Queen" - T. J. Fowler and the Band that Rocks the Blues
- S-133 - "Big Heavy"/"Cozy's Boogie" - Cozy Eggleston and his Combo
- S-134 - "Somebody Hoodooed the Hoodoo Man"/"Junior's Wail" - Junior Wells and his Eagle Rockers
- S-135 - "Companion Blues"/"Weeping Willow Blues" - L. C. McKinley and his Orchestra
- S-136 - "Since I Met Jesus"/"The Angels Keep Watching" - The Caravans
- S-137 - "Blessed and Brought Up by the Lord"/"Jesus Is a Rock" - The Caravans
- S-138 - "My Baby's Gone"/"Troubled Woman" - Helen Thompson
- S-139 - "'Bout the Break of Day"/"Lawdy! Lawdy!" - Junior Wells
- S-140 - "Let Us Run"/"Witness" - The Caravans
- S-141 - "Gold Digger"/"Blues and Trouble" - James Bannister and his Combo
- S-142 - "Over in the Gloryland"/"Look to the Hills" - The Genesa Smith Singers
- S-143 - "So All Alone"/"Tomorrow Night" - Junior Wells
- S-144 - "Feel So Fine"/"You're Gonna Cry" - Harold Burrage and Combo
- S-145 - "Hard Hearted Woman"/"Back Home to Mama" - Big WalterBig Walter HortonWalter Horton, better known as Big Walter Horton or Walter "Shakey" Horton, was an American blues harmonica player. A quiet, unassuming and essentially shy man, Horton is remembered as one of the premier harmonica players in the history of blues...
and his Combo - S-146 - "What Kind of Man Is This"/"The Man Jesus" - The Caravans with James ClevelandJames ClevelandThe Reverend Dr. James Cleveland was a gospel singer, arranger, composer and, most significantly, the driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound, bringing the stylistic daring of hard gospel and jazz and pop music influences to arrangements for mass choirs...
- S-147 - "Chop Chop Boom"/"My Autumn Love"-The Danderliers
- S-148 - "Jealous Hearted Woman"/"(You're Honey but the) Bees Don't Know" - Cliff Butler and his Blue Boys
- S-149 - "Old Time Religion"/"The Solid Rock" - The Caravans with James Cleveland
- S-150 - "Shu-Wop"/"My Loving Partner" - The Danderliers
- S-151 - "Come unto Me"/"Jesus Lover of My Soul" - (Little) Lucy Smith Singers
- S-152 - "Little Man"/"May God Be with You" - The Danderliers
- S-153 - "Somebody Bigger Than You and I"/"Every Time I Feel the Spirit" - (Little) Lucy Smith Singers
- S-154 - "Tell Him What You Want"/"Wait for Me" - The Caravans
- S-155 - "Run Jody Run"/"The Jet" - Jimmy Coe and his Gay Cats of Rhythm
- S-156 - "Gloria"/"Sugar Lips" - Five Chances
- S-157 - "Darling Patricia"/"Please Come Back" - Artie Wilkins and The Palms
- S-158 - "On My Knees"/"Hold the Light" - (Little) Lucy Smith Singers
- S-159 - "None but the Righteous"/"Onward Christian Soldiers" - The Caravans
- S-160 - "She's Mine"/"My Love" - The Danderliers
- S-161 - "Crucifixion"/"Come on Jesus" - The Caravans
- S-162 - "I Just Had to Call His Name"/"He'll Make You Happy" - (Little) Lucy Smith Singers
- S-163 - "Go Where Baby Lives"/"In Your Dreams" - The Strollers with Lefty BatesLefty BatesLefty Bates was an American Chicago blues guitarist. He led the Lefty Bates Combo, and variously worked with the El Dorados, the Flamingos, Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Etta James, the Aristo-Kats, the Hi-De-Ho Boys, the Moroccos, the Impressions, and a latter day version of the Ink Spots...
Band - S-164 - "Look Me Straight in the Eye"/"I Stayed Away Too Long" - Arbee StidhamArbee StidhamArbee Stidham was an American blues singer and multi-instrumentalist, most successful in the late 1940s and 1950s....
- Lefty Bates Band