Rare 45 Henry Thome - "WOLF BAIT" MOODY SLEAZY SLOW ROCKABILLY

Rare moody sleazy rockabilly rock & roll 45 on viv records.

Viv was a label founded by Lee Hazlewood in 1955, when he was still a local country music DJ, and fledgling producer and songwriter, his Some Velvet Morning still a decade away, his hip drifter persona only beginning to develop. (Hazlewoods 50s credits are nonetheless impressive, including The Fool, recorded by Sanford Clark, and a series of twangy instrumentals by guitarist Duane Eddy.) Viv was typical of the better independent regional labels that flourished in post-war America, the sort that chronicled hinterland music otherwise neglected by the labels in Chicago, New York City, Nashville, or Los Angeles, the sort run by individuals with certain ambitions, if not an idiosyncratic ear for music.

Henry Thome. The almost comical sung-spoken asides, the lonesome piano, the 3 am trumpet solo: Wolf Bait could have had its own talk show. Thome plays the lovelorn sap brilliantly here, but, strangely, he was by all accounts a folk-singer who performed around Scottsdale and Phoenix in the early 60s. Thome was a regular at Clingmans Baboquavari coffeehouse, apparently, a relationship that resulted in Thomes three Viv 45s released between 1962 and 1963. This was the first of the three records, though none, of those Ive heard, are particularly folk-y.

Nor were any of the Viv releases particularly successful. This record, from 1962, would be one of the labels better performers - not for Wolf Bait but for its flipside Scotch and Soda, an oddly jazzy reading of an unattributed song from the Kingston Trios debut album a few years prior.

In addition to Thome, both Wolf Bait and Scotch and Soda feature Mike Condello (bass) and Bob Morgan (playing drums on a cardboard box). Notable Arizona musicians both, Condello in particular released some excellent late 60s psychedelic records, and was musical director for The Wallace and Ladmo Show, a local childrens television show.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• FlipShare
• HENRY THOME
• LEE HAZLEWOOD
• ARIZONA
• MOODY ROCKER
• ROCKABILLY
• WOLF BIAT
• VIV RECORDS
• VIVA LAS VEGAS

[kingfrat78]

@1947carlton , Thanks for your comment, very interesting story!

[1947carlton]

For me - Henry Thome's version of "Scotch & Soda" was better than the Kingston Trio's. He captured the essence of the song in a smokey, believable style that remains one of my favorite recordings today. I was 15 in 1962 when this came out & remember how pissed I was that the K'trio's version replaced it on the charts. I had the pleasure of hearing Henry Thome perform @ Rawhide a short time ago, and was so glad to finally meet him. A real homegrown Arizona talent & a true gentleman.

[kingfrat78]

@col1rbtx , I agree with you but has a sleazy rock element to it. I just use keywords like "rockabilly" to get people to check out the video. Thanks for your comment - dan

[col1rbtx]

I got this record in my collection also. I though perhaps this was the original version of 'Scotch & Soda' but perhaps not? I personally don't hear 'rockabilly' in this record, it more like nightclub jazz.

[kingfrat78]

@MissHolleyKing , Thanks, I'll check out "Scotch & Soda"!!!

Best,

Dan

[MissHolleyKing]

Henry Thome dose a great job on "Scotch And Soda" too. Thanks for posting this here :O) I LOVE ARIZONA ROCKABILLY!!!!