Smiley Lewis is one of the founders of New Orleans rhythm and blues. Smiley recorded for the
Imperial label with many of Dave Bartholomew's creations. But at the time, the sound Smiley Lewis produced seemed too "rough"
for the general white audiences of the 1950s. After recording after recording failed to chart,
Fats Domino re-recorded several of the songs. Those recorded by Fats Domino were re-issued on the Imperial label
and soon became hits.
Unfortunately, Smiley Lewis never seemed to attract a large following outside of the small, local
black clubs in New Orleans proper. One of the great legends of New Orleans music is perhaps
unknown to the rest of the music world. Dave Bartholomew is quoted as saying Smiley is one of the
unluckiest people recording; he never sold more than
100,000 copies of a single record.
Smiley Lewis
Born: Overton Lemons - July 5, 1913 - DeQuincy, LA
Died: October 7, 1966 - New Orleans, LA
- (DeLuxe 1099 1947) Here Comes Smiley
First Lewis recording released - credits "Smiling Lewis"
- (Imperial 5067 1949) Low Down / Tee Nah Nah
- (Imperial 5072 1950) Slide Me Down / Growing Old
- (Imperial 5102 1950) Dirty People / If You Ever Loved A Woman
- (Imperial 5124 1951) My Baby Was Right / Bee's Boogie
- (Imperial 5194 1952) The Bells are Ringing / Lillie Mae
- (Imperial 5208 1952) Gumbo Blues / It's So Peaceful in the Country
- (Imperial 5224 1953) Gypsy Blues / You're Not The One
- (Imperial 5234 1953) Playgirl / Big Mamou
Big local hit - great song, representative of 1953 R&B
- (Imperial 5241 1953) Caledonia's Party / Oh Baby
- (Imperial 5252 1953) Little Fernandez / It's Music
- (Imperial 5268 1954) Blue Monday / Down the Road
"Blue Monday" written by Dave Bartholomew. Re-released by Fats Domino in 1956
- (Imperial 5279 1954) The Rocks / Sentimental Reasons
- (Imperial 5296 1954) Can't Stop Loving You / That Certain Door
- (Imperial 5316 1954) Too Many Drivers / Ooh La La
- (Imperial 5325 1955) Jailbird / Farewell
- (Imperial 5349 1955) Real Gone Lover / Nobody Knows
- (Imperial 5356 1955) I Hear You Knockin' / Bumpity Bump
"I Hear You Knockin'" written by Dave Bartholomew/Earl King. Re-released by Fats Domino in 1961
- (Imperial 5372 1955) Come On / Queen of Hearts
- (Imperial LP "I Hear You Knocking" 1956) Nothing But the Blues
- (Imperial 5380 1956) One Night (of Sin) / Ain't Gonna Do It
- (Imperial 5389 1956) She's Got Me Hook Line and Sinker / Please Listen to Me
- (Imperial 5404 1956) Down Yonder We Go Ballin' / Someday You'll Want Me
- (Imperial 5418 1956) Shame Shame / No No
- (Imperial LP "New Orleans Gumbo No.3" 1956) Mama Don't Like
- (Imperial 5431 1957) You Are My Sunshine / Sweeter Words Have Never Been Spoken
- (Imperial 5450 1957) Go on Fool / Goin' To Jump And Shout
- (Imperial 5470 1957) Rootin' and Tootin' / I Can't Believe
- (Imperial 5478 1957) Bad Luck Blues / School Days Are Back Again
- (Imperial 5531 1958) Lil' Liza Jane / My Love is Gone
- (Imperial 5662 1960) Oh Red! / I Want to be with Her
- (Imperial 5676 1960) Last Night / Ain't Goin' There No More
- (Imperial 5719 1961) Stormy Monday Blues / Tell Me Who
- (Imperial 5820 1962) Gumbo Blues / Tee Nah Nah
|
|
Disclaimer: All information on this web site is "as is" and without warranty. You may use the information at your own risk, for no charge (free), for personal use only.
Commercial use and distributions are prohibited.
This is a free site for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for any errors.
Corrections are appreciated.
|