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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Al Hibbler - The Essential
Jazz - Released by Vintage Jukebox on 29 Jun 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Prison Bound Blues (Live)
Jazz - Released by Concert Archives on 11 Dec 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Very Thought of You (Hollywood Recorders Session)
Jazz - Released by Delta on 19 Feb 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Al Hibbler Favorites
Jazz - Released by Planet Blue Records on 18 Jan 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Unchained Melody (Billboard Hot 100 - No. 03)
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Music Manager on 19 Dec 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
in2Al Hibbler - Volume 1
Pop - Released by Play Digital on 20 Sep 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Al Hibbler Sings the Blues: Monday Every Day (Bonus Track Version)
Vocal Jazz - Released by Fly Me to the Moon on 1 Feb 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Softly, My Love
Vocal Jazz - Released by Reminisce Music on 17 Mar 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Best of Al Hibbler
Pop - Released by Vintage Jukebox on 24 Dec 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Starring Al Hibbler
Jazz - Released by Dome Music Group on 18 Jul 1956
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Unchained Melody: The Definitive Singles Collection
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Jasmine Records on 19 Aug 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
White Christmas
Miscellaneous - Released by Classic Legends on 2 Nov 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
He (Billboard Hot 100 - No. 04)
Pop - Released by Music Manager on 19 Dec 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Unchained Melody
Jazz - Released by Black Sheep Music on 8 Aug 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo