Frankie Ford
It's ironic that some of the greatest New Orleans R&B of the 1950s was sung by a white man. Although he could have passed for a teen idol, Frankie Ford sang with as much grit as anyone of any color in the Crescent City. He recorded some fine singles for the Ace label in the late '50s, particularly the pounding "Sea Cruise," which made the Top 20 in 1959 and remains one of the hits most identified with the classic New Orleans R&B sound. "Sea Cruise" actually began life as a Huey "Piano" Smith song with Bobby Marchan on vocals, but producer Johnny Vincent had the inspired idea of dubbing Ford's singing on top of Smith's backing track. "Sea Cruise," with its bleating foghorn and irresistible piano groove, was an impossible act to follow, and Ford never approached the Top 20 again. But he cut several more gutsy sides for Ace that featured top New Orleans players like Huey Smith and saxophonist Red Tyler; one of the best, "Roberta," was covered by the Animals in the mid-'60s. A few of his singles found him following ill-advised swing jazz and teen idol directions, and he faded from view in the 1960s, although he made a cameo appearance in the film version of Alan Freed's life.
© Richie Unterberger /TiVo
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Sea Cruise
Soul - Released by Essential Media Group on 21 Apr 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Let's Take a Sea Cruise
Pop - Released by UNIDISC MUSIC INC. on 1 Jan 1999
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The New Orleans Dynamo (Remastered)
Rock - Released by Master Tape Records on 17 Jul 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The All-Time Greatest Hits of Frankie Ford
Pop - Released by UNIDISC MUSIC INC. on 1 Jan 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Let's Take a Sea Cruise (Deluxe Version)
Pop - Released by UNIDISC MUSIC INC. on 1 Jan 1990
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ooh-Wee Baby! The Best of Frankie Ford
Pop - Released by UNIDISC MUSIC INC. on 1 Jan 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sea Cruise (Extended Version (Remastered))
Rock - Released by Delta Music on 15 Apr 2022
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sea Cruise
Frankie Ford, Huey 'Piano' Smith, Huey Smith Orchestra
Rock - Released by Good Time Records on 25 Mar 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Releases 1958-62
Rock - Released by Acrobat on 12 May 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Let's Take A Sea Cruise With Frankie Ford
Rock - Released by Hallmark on 1 Jan 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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On The Street Where You Live
Rock - Released by Matassa's Records on 25 Sep 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Time After Time (Billboard Hot 100 - No 75)
Rock - Released by Music Manager on 5 Nov 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Cruisin' with Frankie Ford
Rock - Released by ACE RECORDS on 29 Jan 1996
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Cruising with Frankie Ford
Jazz - Released by Black Sheep Music on 2 Dec 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Peace of Mind / I'm Proud of What I Am
Soul - Released by Paula Records on 8 Sep 1971
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Let's Take a Sea Cruise with Frankie Ford (Deluxe Edition)
Rock - Released by Universal Digital Enterprises on 26 Nov 1959
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo