Paul Gayten & Annie Laurie Creole Gal (LP)

(Route 66) 17 tracks

The history of New Orleans rhythm and blues would have been incomplete without Paul Gayten. His band was as formative to the success of New Orleans R&B from the late 1940s through the 1950s as Dave Bartholomew's. Paul had one of the city's earliest hits, the Romanesque-tinged ballad TRUE, in 1947 for De Luxe Records. In addition to his own career as a singer, pianist, composer and bandleader, he wrote songs and produced hit records for many artists, including Etta James, Larry Darnell, Clarence "Frogman" Henry and Bobby Charles. Paul Gayten's early recordings left impressions on a young Fats Domino, Professor Long-hair (who took over Paul's HEY, LITTLE GIRL) and others. Paul had a powerful, sonorous voice, and his piano playing was heavily blues-based, often tinged with ear-piercing bop jazz phrasing and harmony. His band was at times a hotbed of great jazz talent, including saxophonists Lee Allen and Hank Mobley, guitarist Edgar Blanchard, and "Ellingtonrnusicians" Aaron Bell, bass, and Sam Woodyard, drums. The icing on the cake was Annie Laurie, whose strong and expressive vocals enhanced the overall sound of the band. "Honestly, the girl who impressed me was Annie Laurie. She could really sing," said Roy Brown (KIX-2 & 6). That also makes her part of Paul Gayten's considerable contribution to R&B music.