Clarence Frogman Henry
He could sing like a girl, and he could sing like a frog. That latter trademark croak, utilized to the max on his 1956 debut smash "Ain't Got No Home," earned good-natured Clarence Henry his nickname and jump-started a rewarding career that endured for over 40 years around the Crescent City.
Naturally, Fats Domino and Professor Longhair were young Clarence Henry's main influences while growing up in the Big Easy. He played piano and trombone with Bobby Mitchell & the Toppers from 1952 to 1955 before catching on with saxist Eddie Smith's band. Henry improvised the basic idea behind "Ain't Got No Home" on the bandstand one morning in the wee hours; when the crowd responded favorably, he honed it into something unique. Paul Gayten (New Orleans A&R man for Chess Records) concurred, hustling Henry into Cosimo Matassa's studio in September of 1956. Local DJ Poppa Stoppa laid the "Frogman" handle on the youngster when he spun the 45 (issued on the Chess subsidiary Argo), and it stuck.
Despite some fine follow-ups -- "It Won't Be Long," "I'm in Love," the inevitable sequel "I Found a Home" -- Frog sank back into the marsh sales-wise until 1960, when Allen Toussaint's updated arrangement melded beautifully with a country-tinged Bobby Charles composition called "(I Don't Know Why) But I Do." Henry's rendition of the tune proved a huge pop smash in early 1961, as did a Domino-tinged "You Always Hurt the One You Love" later that year.
Frogman continued to record a variety of New Orleans-styled old standards and catchy originals for Argo (Chess assembled a Henry album that boasted what may be the worst cover art in the history of rock & roll), even recording at one point with Nashville saxist Boots Randolph and pianist Floyd Cramer. But the hits dried up for good after 1961. Henry opened 18 concerts for the Beatles across the U.S. and Canada in 1964, but his main source of income came from the Bourbon Street strip, where he played for 19 years. He would joyously revive his classics annually at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival -- with his croak remaining as deep and melodious as ever. Clarence "Frogman" Henry died on April 7, 2024 at the age of 87.
© Bill Dahl /TiVo
Artistas semelhantes
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Ain't Got No Home: The Best Of Clarence "Frogman" Henry (Reissue)
R&B - Lançado por Geffen em 1 de jan. de 1994
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The King of Rhythm & Blues (Remastered)
R&B - Lançado por Master Tape Records em 8 de mai. de 2020
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
All Time Best: Clarence "Frogman" Henry
R&B - Lançado por All Time Best em 5 de jun. de 2015
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
I Don't Know Why (I Love You) but I Do
R&B - Lançado por Liberty em 2 de jan. de 1961
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ain’t Got No Home - 4 Track EP
Pop - Lançado por Play Digital em 5 de jul. de 2010
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ain't Got No Home
Jazz - Lançado por Black Sheep Music em 30 de mai. de 2023
24-Bit 192.0 kHz - Stereo -
You Always Hurt the One You Love
Soul - Lançado por Poppydisc em 10 de fev. de 1961
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ain't Got No Home
Clarence Frogman Henry, The Fuzztones
Blues - Lançado por Cleopatra Records em 23 de jun. de 2023
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
( I Don't Know Why) But I Do
Jazz - Lançado por Stars and Stripes em 22 de out. de 2014
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
I Ain't Got No Home
Soul - Lançado por Poppydisc em 14 de abr. de 1962
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
But I Do: The Complete Releases 1956-62
Soul - Lançado por ACROBAT em 1 de jan. de 1994
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
His Best (Rerecorded Version)
Soul - Lançado por K-Tel em 15 de jun. de 2023
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Ain't Got No Home
Soul - Lançado por Ap Music em 25 de nov. de 2013
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ain't Got No Home - All Time Greatest Hits
Soul - Lançado por Goldenlane em 1 de jan. de 2008
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Voices of Americana (The Crazy Cajun Recordings)
Soul - Lançado por Music Enterprises Inc. - Crazy Cajun Records em 31 de out. de 2023
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Greatest Hits
Pop - Lançado por Vintage Jukebox em 8 de jun. de 2018
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Underwater
Jazz - Lançado por Stars and Stripes em 22 de out. de 2014
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Basin Street Blues
R&B - Lançado por The Entertainers em 1 de jan. de 2012
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
( I Don't Know Why) But I Do
Jazz - Lançado por Black Sheep Music em 22 de out. de 2014
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Soul Masters: Lonely Street
R&B - Lançado por Carinco AG em 22 de nov. de 2005
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Clarence 'Frogman' Henry: R & B Originals
Soul - Lançado por Ap Music em 19 de mar. de 2012
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo