Just read the sad news that living legend Etta James has fallen ill. Our thoughts are with Miss Etta and her family. Here is her first chart hit, "The Wallflower" (aka "Roll With Me Henry" and "Dance With Me Henry"), which she recorded in 1955 at the age of 16. An "answer song" to Hank Ballard & The Midnighters' 1954 hit "Work With Me Annie", it was released by Modern Records credited to Etta James and The Peaches.
As a bonus, I've also included a version of the follow-up record, "Hey Henry". Both of these recordings feature Richard Berry providing the male voice, though he didn't get credited on "The Wallflower". The version here of "Hey Henry" is a take that was previously unreleased until it was included on the 2004 Ace Records Richard Berry collection, Yama Yama!
Kick back and enjoy the great Etta James as the world heard her for the first time, and send your prayers and thoughts her way.
Etta James & the Peaches
"The Wallflower"
Released 1955, Modern 947
#1 R&B for four weeks
Etta James & The Peaches
"Hey Henry" (take 6)
Recorded 1955, unreleased until 2004
1 comments:
I think you posted "Hey Henry" twice by mistake. I'm glad to find it though because I was wondering if there were anymore of Etta's songs with Richard Berry's vocals on them; I love "Roll with me Henry". :)
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