Brenda Lee The Jasmine EP Collection
Released September 2024 on Jasmine Records - Home - Jasmine Records (jasmine-records.co.uk)
Reviewed October 2024.
Not for nothing was the diminutive (just 4’9” tall) Brenda Lee known as “Little Miss Dynamite”. The possessor of one of the most awesome voices in the history of Popular Music, she was by far the most accomplished, versatile female singer of her era, equally adept at either rockers or ballads - certainly, she sold millions of both. Born Brenda Mae Tarpley on December 11th 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia, she was performing in public and winning local talent competitions virtually as soon as she was able to stand upright and sing. At a live show in Augusta in February 1956 she was introduced to C&W star Red Foley, who invited her up onstage sing a couple of numbers. Via Foley’s patronage Brenda scored a recording contract with Decca Records, and in July 1956 - at just a little over eleven-and-a-half years of age - she went to Bradley’s Barn, in Nashville, to record her first disc. Backed by a crack “A” team session band, she cut a devastating debut single, a revival of Hank Williams’ ‘Jambalaya’ b/w Don Woody’s “Bigelow 6-200”.
Review
There’s not a better way to start off any Brenda compilation than her rockabilly classic “Bigelow 6-200”. Although only a B side when first issued it has become an evergreen popular track on the rocking scene since the rockabilly revival back in the 1970s. Track 2, “Dynamite” is not the same song that was made popular by Cliff Richard, but nonetheless it is a fine pop rocker in a style that is distinctly Brenda Lee. It as an infectious beat, great backing musicians and that raspy vocal from “Little Miss Dynamite”. “Ain’t That Love”, track 3, is a pop number with Brenda displaying her vocal versatility. “Ring-A-My-Phone” is rocker with Brenda’s voice at its rasping best. Track 5 from 1958 is a wild version of “Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home”, a song which dates back to the start of the 20th century. “Hummin' The Blues Over You” was the flip side of Bill Bailey and is a mid-paced pop song with Brenda sound much more mature than her fourteen years. “Let’s Jump The Broomstick” was much more popular in the UK where it eventually got into the Top 20. A rocking classic. Track 8, “The Stroll” is a straight cover of the song originally done by The Diamonds. Elvis Presley’s version of “Just Because” is one my favourite tracks by him. Brenda certainly does the song justice, and the sax break is fantastic.
Track 10 is Brenda’s biggest hit from the ‘50s. “Sweet Nothin's” made the Top 5 on both sides of the Atlantic. Remember she was only 15 when this came out! “Weep No More My Baby” a pop rocker with an infectious beat was the flip side. Ronnie Self, a rockabilly legend in his own right wrote “Sweet Nothin’s” and “I’m Sorry”, a heartfelt ballad that reached the top spot in the charts. Track 13, a pop song, “That's All You Gotta Do” was originally the A side of “I’m Sorry” and did enjoy chart success before being overtaken by the B side. “(If I'm Dreaming) Just Let Me Dream” kicks off with a rasping sax before the backing vocals come followed by Brenda performing another fine pop song. Track 15 a stroller paced pop song “Heading Home” comes from her eponymous second album, released in 1960. “I Want To Be Wanted” a heartfelt ballad with Brenda’s voice sounding smoother and more subtle than in her earlier songs went on to be her third million seller. “Walkin' To New Orleans”, track 17 is a straight cover of Fats Dominoe’s original. For my money Brenda’s version of “Pretend” holds its own with Nat King Cole’s hit version. Track 19 is a cover of the Gerry Goffin and Carole King classic, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” that was such a massive hit for the Shirelles.
“You Can Depend On Me”, track 20 is a fine pop ballad that was a top 10 hit for Brenda as she found great success during the early ‘60s. “Dum Dum” has a classic 60’s sound to it as well as Brenda at her coquettish best. Tracks 22 and 23, “Tragedy” and “Fool #1” are more well performed ballads showing the gentler side of Brenda. With “So Deep” at track 24 Brenda has that edge in her voice again as sings this pop song with some great backing vocals and an excellent sax break. “Speak To Me Pretty” got to number 3 in the UK charts and is still one of Brenda’s best-known songs this side of the pond.
The final six tracks are all fine examples of the pop recordings from one of the most successful lady singers in the history of popular music.
Summary and recommendation
A superb collection and a great sampler of Brenda’s recordings from the 50’s and 60s for a very reasonable price with interesting sleeve notes from master compiler Roger Dopson. What’s not to love? Go buy it and enjoy it.
Reviewed by Jailhouse John Alexander
Track List
1 Bigelow 6-200
2 Dynamite
3 Ain't That Love
4 Ring-A-My-Phone
5 Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
6 Hummin' The Blues Over You
7 Let's Jump The Broomstick
8 The Stroll
9 Just Because
10 Sweet Nothin's
11 Weep No More My Baby
12 I'm Sorry
13 That's All You Gotta Do
14 (If I'm Dreaming) Just Let Me Dream
15 Heading Home
16 I Want To Be Wanted
17 Walkin' To New Orleans
18 Pretend
19 Will You Love Me Tomorrow
20 You Can Depend On Me
21 Dum Dum
22 Tragedy
23 Fool #1
24 So Deep
25 Speak To Me Pretty
26 Everybody Loves Me But You
27 Here Comes That Feeling
28 Heart In Hand
29 It Started All Over Again
30 All Alone Am I
31 Save All Your Lovin' For Me
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