Billy Ward & the Dominos-Have Mercy, Baby 1953 Vogve 1113.wmv

"Have Mercy Baby" was recorded in 1953. It illustrates the strong gospel influence to the early R&B style. This influence is seen by gospel-like call and response and a highly ornamented vocal line. The use of blues progressions and the saxophone alert the listener to influences from blues and jazz."

Have Mercy, Baby" was the number-one R&B hit of 1953. In addition to the voices we hear backup instrumentals, including Billy Ward at the piano. The song begins with a solo tenor introduction featuring a strong accent on beat two of the bar. McPhatter then sings four choruses, taking liberties as he goes and is echoed by the other singers. The unidentified tenor saxophonist takes two solo choruses, the second supported by the singers. McPhatter's ends with his trademark cries.
Composer information

B. Ward: Billy Ward, the founder of The Dominos, composed most of the group's music as well as the lyrics to many of their songs.
Performer information:

Billy Ward & the Dominos: The Dominos were one of the first bands to secularize gospel. Billy Ward, the lead singer, was attending the Julliard School (c.1950) and formed a vocal group comprised of fellow students that became known as the Dominos. The Dominos created and recorded new music for close to a decade and had many chart topping hits.

One of the first bands to secularize gospel, The Dominos, were led by lead singer Billy Ward. While attending the Juilliard School (c.1950) Ward decided to form a vocal group comprised of fellow students that became known as the Dominos. The other singers in the group are James Van Loan, second tenor; Joe Lamont, baritone; and Bill Brown, bass. In some ways, Ward predates Ray Charles in mixing gospel techniques with rhythm and blues. Today, we may find gospel and R&B to be strikingly similar, but in the 1950s mixing the two was sacrilegious.

The Dominoes were in some ways inspired by the popular 1930s male quartet known as the Ink Spots. Ward even used some of their songs. In 1950 Ward discovered the young tenor Clyde McPhatter (1933-1972) and made him lead singer of the group. McPhatter's high, piercing, slightly nasal voice and his ability to "shake notes" gave the group a distinctive sound.

The Domino's 1952 release of Sixty-Minute Man" is considered by some to be the beginning of rock and roll; it unquestionably was one of the first R&B hits to soar to the top of the pop charts. That song was followed by " Have Mercy, Baby" a church-inspired song built on a twelve bar blues sequence. After the song's success in 1953 McPhatter left the Dominos to form the Drifters. He was replaced by Jackie Wilson.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Baby 1953 Vogve 1113.

[czar14617]

THIS IS SOME REAL PURE R&B MUSIC ---I LOVE --GREAT SONG