Mr Credit Man - WATCH 6331

 

Dell Stewart

The two artists that are most associated with Henry Hildebrand and Joe Assunto's New Orleans label Watch are the hugely influential genius piano player Professor Longhair and the equally talented soul singer Johnny Adams. But the label also had some very interesting lesser singers on it's books one of whom is Dell Stewart.

Both Stewart's 45s - apparently the only ones he ever cut - are well worth having if you can find them. I like the easy mid paced ListenMr Credit Man on first 45 which is a fine introduction to his gravelly voice, so much like his friend the late great Earl King who co-wrote and produced the song, with it's vague lyrical echoes of Kent Harris' "Shoppin' For Clothes". The horn section is nice too. The flip is a typically complex rhythm based Crescent City item complete with female chorus and trombone solo.

Didn't I tell you - WATCH 6343But better than both of these is the heavy ballad ListenDidn't I Tell You which suits Dell's hoarse throaty delivery to a T. This is another fine Earl King composition, and you can hear his vocal interjections behind Stewart throughout the song. The great man Wardell Q provided the big horn arrangement and the tinkling piano. More wonderful New Orleans music.

 

Discography

ListenMr Credit Man / Let my lover go ~ WATCH 6331 (1963)
ListenDidn't I tell you / Love that girl ~ WATCH 6343 (1965?)

 

Note ~ A version of "Didn't I Tell You" without the horns and the background singers can be found on the Mardi Gras CD "New Orleans The 60s Watch Records" which also features "Mr Credit Man" and "Let My Lover Go".

 

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