Ace Records was opened in 1955 by Specialty Records producer Johnny Vincent, its headquarters were based in Jackson Mississippi, however it was the fertile New Orleans music scene that was subject to Vincents scouts and A&R men. Over a ten year period it released some of the best rhythm n' blues out of New Orleans from great established artists such as Amos Milbourne and Charles Brown, to local upstarts such as Huey 'Piano' Smith and his Clowns. vincent reactivated ACE in 1971 and for a while it continued to put out some great funk and soul 45's but nothing in the way of the genius of it's early years.
Eddie's first recorded performance was playing piano on this landmark recording for Johnny Vincent's newly formed ACE RECORDS, this release flopped on issue as it was considered too raunchy for the airwaves with its lyrics "Baby with the big box, tell me where your legs stop", and lines about taking liberties with a bar room lady as the alcohol starts to take hold. So without the all important push from the radio stations it floundered at the first hurdle which is a great shame as it's up there with all the great Alladin, Imperial boozy Rhythm n' Blues recordings of that time.
Bo would pick the basic melody and hooks of "I Got The Blues For You Baby" the following year for his monumental "I'm Wise" released for New York's Apollo Records.
This was Eddie's first record, released under the name Little Bo in 1955, Eddie was 25 when he cut it and was already a active player in the New Orleans music scene, leading his own band under the name Spider Bocage and performing with the kings of rock n' roll - people like Big Joe Turner, Smiley Lewis, Ruth Brown. Lloyd Price etc.
"Baby" is a really nice RnB number which grows the more you hear it and "So Glad" is a cool blues ballad. My copy is only a VG with water damage so if anyone reading this has a better copy to sell me, please get in touch.
Eddie's first record released under his own name was strangely flipped with Huey Smiths first ever release - the wierd and wonderful "We Like Mambo" a big hit record for Huey which oddly was credited to Eddie Bo as performer on the record. Released in 1956 "I'm So Tired" is a killer blues record where Eddie borrows one or two lines from Robert Johnson's "Love In Vain" and sings his heart out as though he'd lived a long life of misery and suffering even though this was recorded in his mid twenties. I have not been able to find out who plays guitar on this track but it's really an incredible performance.
After brief recording spells recording for Apollo, Checker and Chess for a few years Eddie returned to Ace Records for one final release, "I Love To Rock n' Roll" is a jumping wild rock n' roller with Eddie wailin' and hollerin' "yes sahrs" and proclaiming his love for rock and roll over a melody that's impossible to sit still to. "I'll Keep On Trying" is a typical sounding New Orleans piano led blues which has frequent spins on my turntable!
Martin Lawrie www.soulgeneration.co.uk