Johnny Wilson

 

Marshall Sehorn was one of those old style music men who ducked and dived to make a living in a very competitive world. Although he is now best remembered as a New Orleans figure, Allen Toussaint’s partner in Sea-Saint Studios and Productions, in the later 50s he hustled as a small time producer, scout and promotions man. He mainly worked for New York’s Bobby Robinson and as such became one of the first white men to be employed by a black record owner. He produced 45s on artists like Wilbert Harrison and Maurice Williams of the Zodiacs for his own Sea-Horn label in the Big Apple as well as leasing out other product in the early 60s before he settled down south in the Big Easy.

 

Among his New York projects were a couple of 45s on the obscure Johnny Wilson. The first had a fine early soul ballad called Sometime Someplace Somewhere on which Wilson does his very best Sam Cooke style vocal. Great soaring high toned phrases beautifully sung over an R & B band and some muted background singers. I could eat this stuff up all day. Sadly Wilson’s second 45 wasn’t quite up to the same standard but was very interesting in its own way. “You’re Still My Baby” is that oddest of things a blues waltz complete with a very country styled harmonica. Please Be Fair is a Latin tinged ballad that I find quite attractive, especially Wilson’s easy swaying vocal and the tenor sax solo. Listening to records like this you can hear the source of so much music by that excellent English singer/guitarist/writer James Hunter.

 

 

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