Song:3 X 7 = 21
Album:Let The Good Times Roll Vol. 2
Here's a nice little slice of New Orleans R & B that has historical significance because it was the very first recording session produced by Dave Bartholomew. Jewel King had a brief recording career that ended because of her husband's selfishness. She was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1928 and moved to New Orleans in the mid-40s. She played local clubs and recorded a couple of songs for DeLuxe Records that were not released. But her next visit to a recording studio was Cosimo's and that was the right place to go because she met legendary producer Dave Bartholomew. He had just signed a production deal with Imperial Records and was about to record his first session. The date was Nov. 29, 1949. Jewel recorded four songs including 3 X 7 = 21 and Tommy Ridgely recorded his single Shrewsbury Blues. Bartholomew led the backup band which included Joe Harris, Herb Hardesty, Red Tyler, Salvador Doucette, Ernest McLean, Frank Fields and Earl Palmer. 3 X 7 = 21 has a great sax solo by Tyler. 3 X 7 = 21 reached #4 on the R & B charts in 1950. At the same time, Fats Domino's The Fat Man charted. So Imperial Records owner Lew Chudd wanted to send Domino and Jewel on a national tour with Jewel headlining. Jewel would sing with Domino's band. Jewel's husband was bandleader Jack Scott and he wouldn't let her tour unless it was with his band. She backed out and was replaced by Ridgely. This turned out to be a huge mistake as subsequent singles didn't sell and by 1952, Jewel and her husband moved back to Texas. This is where it gets confusing. Imperial released a new version of 3 X 7 = 21 in 1956 credited to Jewel King. But it's not her singing. Different versions may be on different CDs. I don't think a lot of people are aware that there are two versions. And there is only one version on Youtube so I'm not sure which version is real. The one in the Youtube video is on this Liberty Records various artists budget CD that is a great intro to classic New Orleans R & B. Here's a video for 3 X 7 = 21 by Jewel King. Thanks to Dik de Heer of Black Cat Rockabilly for the Jewel King info.
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