Various We Wrote 'Em & We Sing 'Em (CD)

(Roar) 12 tracks (27:16) CD reissue of the rare 1961 MGM album.
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When it was originally released in 1961 this album was a unique concept. Otis Blackwell called his friends and fellow songwriters into the studio to cut their own versions of songs that had been million sellers for some of the biggest stars of the day. He also got them to record their latest compositions and these songs proved to be as good as the hit tunes. For the first time, six writers, who have written some of the biggest hits in the last decade, got together, pooled their talents and, in unselfish collaboration, have come up with a musical potpourri that is certain to be remembered as a milestone in the record business.

The idea was conceived by Otis Blackwell, writer of many, many hits in the past few years, among them Elvis Presley's biggest record seller of all time 'Don't be Cruel' which, during its five month span on the top of the lists, sold over 5 million records in the United States, and an additional 2,500,000 throughout the rest of the world. Within three years the Bill Black Combo revived this song and, for the first time in the history of Broadcast Music Inc, a song was in the top ten with two different versions within the space of 36 months.

Blackwell gathered together the writers who collaborated on this album and asked each one to record their biggest hit, as the composer conceived it, and then as an accompanying feature, asked each to contribute a brand new song as an entry along with the hit, as a candidate for future top ten lists. As each writer appeared at the recording session to do his stint, the other five appeared in support at the microphone as a vocal group, lending talent, ideas and rhythms to the efforts of each one who was being spotlighted.

There were no written arrangements made for any of the sessions. By constant rehearsal with each other, the conceptions, basic rhythms, feeling and vocal group patterns were all composed by the writers to each of his own as well as to the others' works. At one time all of these writers were under contract to various recording companies and when their contracts expired, Blackwell seized upon the opportunity of putting this momentous album together. A major part of the success of these recordings is the quality of the musicians used.

Some of New York's finest session men were involved: Bert Keyes - Piano, Lloyd Nelson Trotman - Bassist, Ernest Hayes - Piano, Mickey Baker - Guitar, Joe Marshall, Jr - Drums, William H Bauer - Guitar,
Wallace Richardson - Guitar, Everett Barksdale - Guitar, Selden Powell - Tenor Sax, Buddy Lucas - Tenor Sax, Albert Jackson Johnson Sr - Sax, George Barnes - Guitar.

So, here we have a great album of R 'n' B and Rock 'n' Roll (the concept of which is unlikely to be repeated) that, both from an artistic and historical viewpoint, is well worth owning.