Ella Mae Morse With Big Dave And His Orchestra – Barrelhouse, Boogie, And The Blues (1954)

One of the most talented and overlooked vocalists of the '40s, Ella Mae Morse blended jazz, country, pop, and R&B; at times she came remarkably close to what would become known as rock & roll. 

When she wasn't yet 14, Morse had her first taste of the big time, when Jimmy Dorsey's band came to Dallas for a stay at the Adolphus Hotel and she called for an audition. Unbeknownst to her, the band needed a new female vocalist. Believing that Morse was indeed 19, as she and her mother claimed, Dorsey hired her. 

When he received a letter from the school board declaring that he was responsible for Morse's care, Dorsey fired her. Morse joined former Dorsey pianist Freddie Slack's band in 1942; she was only 17 when they cut "Cow Cow Boogie," which became Capitol Records' first gold single. The following year, Morse began recording solo. Although her records were consistently solid and sold fairly well, Morse never obtained a huge following. She retired from recording in 1957, and died of respiratory failure on October 16, 1999.


Tracklist:

A1 Rock Me All Night Long
A2 Money Honey
A3 I Love You, Yes I Do
A4 Daddy, Daddy
B1 Teardrops From My Eyes
B2 5-10-15 Hours
B3 Have Mercy Baby
B4 How Can You Leave A Man Like This

Ella Mae Morse With Big Dave And His Orchestra – Barrelhouse, Boogie, And The Blues (1954)

(320 kbps, cover art included)