Review: Frankie Ford - Sea Cruise: The Complete Releases 1958-62
If you only know Frankie Ford's biggest hit: "Sea Cruise," you're forgiven. Between 1958 and 1960, the New Orleans rocker released a string of singles: "Alimony," "Seventeen," and a version of "You Talk Too Much" are all worth a listen. However, oo-wee, baby, it's "Sea Cruise" that stands as Frankie Ford's legacy. SEA CRUISE: THE COMPLETE RELEASES - 1958-62 gives a near-complete overview of the swamp pop/New Orleans R&B artist's original and most vital career period. Numerous gems are uncovered, such as "Morgus the Magnificent" which is an ode to a local horror host that he recorded with Malcolm Rebennack Jr., aka Dr. John: "we don't go out to roll and rock, we get our kicks from the house of shock." Also worth seeking out is the provocative (especially for its era) "It Must Be Jelly ('Cause Jam Don't Shake Like That"). Not all the songs are piano-bashing rockers: when ...