Al Hibbler
Not just a distinctive singer but a true vocal wonder, Al Hibbler featured with Duke Ellington's Orchestra throughout the 1940s and recorded a few hits ("Unchained Melody," "After the Lights Go Down Low," "He") on his own for Decca and Atlantic during the '50s and '60s. His frequent use of a Cockney accent and non-subtle growling techniques kept listeners on their toes though, far from a novelty act, Hibbler's voice was strong, emotive, and masculine, with a steady vibrato that carried every record he made.
Born blind in Mississippi, he began singing early on and sang soprano in the choir of a school for the blind after moving to Little Rock at the age of 12. Inspired by lush ballad singers like Bing Crosby and Russ Columbo, Hibbler's voice soon deepened and he began singing the blues at area roadhouses. After winning a talent contest in Memphis, he joined Jay McShann and His Orchestra in 1942 and debuted with Duke Ellington's Orchestra just one year later, replacing Herb Jeffries. One of the most important singers Ellington ever showcased, Hibbler appeared on a range of Ellington standards including "Do Nothin' 'Til You Hear from Me," "Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues," "Don't Be so Mean to My Baby," and "I'm Just a Lucky So-and-So." He spent a total of eight years with Ellington's band, finally leaving in 1951 after Ellington refused to raise his salary by $50.
After quickly signing to Verve, Hibbler continued to record with excellent musicians (Harry Carney, Count Basie, Gerald Wilson) for his initial solo work, and in 1954 released an LP of old favorites entitled Al Hibbler Sings Duke Ellington. One year later, he signed a big contract with Decca and hit the pop charts in a big way with two million-selling singles, "Unchained Melody" and "He," spotlighting his idiosyncratic (to say the least) delivery, which veered from growling vocals to a carefully studied, almost Cockney accent only occasionally enforced. In 1956, Hibbler hit the Top Ten again with "After the Lights Go Down Low," but it proved to be his last hit.
By the late '50s, Hibbler had begun taking an interest in the civil-rights movement. While other major artists gave generously to the cause, Hibbler actually marched with protesters and was arrested twice, once in New Jersey in 1959 and again in Alabama in 1963 (after he led an anti-segregation protest). Though the major labels backed away from the potential controversy of owning his contract, Hibbler did gain support from an important source -- Frank Sinatra signed him to Reprise and released an LP, Monday Every Day, in 1961. Hibbler recorded very sparingly after that. He collaborated with Rahsaan Roland Kirk on a 1972 LP for Atlantic (A Meeting of the Times), but resurfaced only occasionally during the '80s and '90s for recordings or special performances.
© John Bush /TiVo
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All That Jazz, Vol. 68: Duke Ellington, The Concert Works 1 – Liberian Suite & A Drum Is a Woman (2016 Remaster)
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, Al Hibbler, Margaret Tynes, Studio choir, Ozzie Bailey, Joya Sherrill
Jazz - Erschienen bei Jube Legends am 01.07.2016
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Unchained
Jazzgesang - Erschienen bei Excess Music am 04.06.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
After The Lights Go Down Low
R&B - Erschienen bei Rhino Atlantic am 12.10.1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Early One Morning
Al Hibbler, The Roland Hanna Trio
Jazz - Erschienen bei Good Time Records am 15.07.1964
24-Bit 88.2 kHz - Stereo -
Presenting Al Hibbler
Jazz - Erschienen bei Universal Digital Enterprises am 15.04.1946
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
All That Jazz, Vol. 54: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra Live at Carnegie Hall, December 19, 1944 (Remastered 2015)
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, Kay Davis, Al Hibbler, Marie Ellington, Johnny Hodges
Jazz - Erschienen bei Jube Legends am 05.02.2016
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Singing His Best (Remastered)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Master Tape Records am 17.04.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Starring Hibbler / Here's Hibble
Jazz - Erschienen bei Jasmine Records am 01.10.2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
After The Lights Go Down Low
Jazz - Erschienen bei 2008 Classic Records am 09.11.2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Al Hibbler Sings The Blues / Monday Every Day
R&B - Erschienen bei Rhino - Warner Bros. am 01.05.1961
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Unchained Melody - The Best Of
Jazzgesang - Erschienen bei Master Classics Records am 01.01.2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1946 - 1949
Jazz - Erschienen bei Complete Jazz Series am 16.02.2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
After The Lights Go Down Low (Billboard Hot 100 - No. 10)
Vokalmusik (weltlich und geistlich) - Erschienen bei Music Manager am 19.12.2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Never Turn Back
Jazz - Erschienen bei Vintage Jukebox am 08.12.2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Unchained Melody (Hi-Fi Remastered)
Rock - Erschienen bei Era am 15.08.2023
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1950 - 1952
Jazz - Erschienen bei Complete Jazz Series am 16.02.2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
After The Lights Go Down Low
Jazz - Erschienen bei Dome Music Group am 12.10.1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Al Hibbler Sings Love Songs
World Music - Erschienen bei TP4 Music am 06.01.2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Al Hibbler Favorites
Jazz - Erschienen bei Blue Pie Records USA am 18.01.2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
After the Lights Go Down Low
Blues - Erschienen bei NPLLC am 20.03.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo