Thursday, December 28, 2017

Four Calling Birds

Another 45 for you, a pretty obscure one at that.  No hits on the artist, no hits on the producer/songwriter (Otis Fuller), or at least no hits other than this record.  The catalog number on the label doesn't even match anything else in the Dig discography.  Maybe it's a bootleg, but I can't imagine why anyone would fake something like this.  Is Jewel related to Guy?  If so, I couldn't find any info online.  This is another one I'm hoping someone can come along and fill me in on.  Enjoy Jewel Lombardo-Christmas Melody b/w Christmas Lullaby (Dig ZY-95006 7" 45 RPM, Mono).  Everything in the discography appears to have been released between 1955 and 1957, so this is somewhere in that period most likely.

Zippyshare


Posted by Ernie at 12/28/2017 07:21:00 PM

13 comments:

  1. JustaJeepGuyThursday, December 28, 2017 8:09:00 PM


    I was told rather pointedly by my 3rd or 4th grade teacher that it's four "colley" birds. She was adamant about it. I actually heard a version that specifically used "colley" birds. I've never been truly sure about it.

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  2. KworkFriday, December 29, 2017 2:46:00 AM

    Definitely the year for obscure singles. Thank you for this small gem of a rarity.

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  3. barbaFriday, December 29, 2017 4:23:00 AM

    first, the dig label... it's just so cool. everything about it.

    then you add johnny otis and arthur lee maye. so cool.

    and usually the christmas offerings on these things are so rotten. but 'christmas melody' is pretty cool. not very christmassy. but you can't have everything.

    restores my faith.

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  4. Steve TurnerFriday, December 29, 2017 8:53:00 AM

    Thanks so much! Now this is different for sure!

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  5. DonHo57Saturday, December 30, 2017 8:51:00 AM

    Nice find, Ernie, thanks!

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  6. AnonymousWednesday, January 17, 2018 6:56:00 AM

    Thank you for the song

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  7. AnonymousThursday, January 18, 2018 10:53:00 PM

    This Record Christmas melody was written by my father Otis Fuller I am so proud and I am so glad that you all like it. Alicia Fuller

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  8. AnonymousThursday, January 18, 2018 10:57:00 PM

    I would like to know how you found this record and have it in your possession because I never knew that my father actually published This Record I'm interested in learning more about how you came across it I can be reached at 757-337-9221 thank you so much

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  9. AnonymousThursday, January 18, 2018 11:03:00 PM

    I would like to know how you found this record and have it in your possession because I never knew that my father actually published This Record I'm interested in learning more about how you came across it I can be reached at 757-337-9221 thank you so much

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  10. ErnieMonday, October 29, 2018 7:11:00 PM

    In case you missed it...

    https://mega.nz/#!sdcEUaZB!wyYSePqSFuLPFh7QA7sn8c15F1MXypwzB_tPUg-w9JI

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousMonday, November 05, 2018 3:33:00 AM

    Hi Ernie,

    I did some research on this record. It just didn't seem to me that it was issued by the same Dig Records that Johnny Otis owned. Not only doesn't the catalog number match anything else in that Dig discography but the logo is different, too. The record was uploaded to YouTube and Alicia Fuller, the daughter of the writer and producer of the song, Otis Fuller, stated that he was stationed at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. I did a Google search using his name and the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and found a short article in Jet magazine from January 19, 1961 regarding "Christmas Lullaby" which is the flip side of "Christmas Melody." Here's the blurb: "One of the season's hit tunes, "Christmas Lullaby," was written by Otis Fuller, a sailor at the Norfolk (Va.) Naval Base who plans a music career upon discharge from the service." So, I think it's safe to assume that the record was issued during the 1960 Christmas season and not affiliated with the other Dig Records which was based in Los Angeles.

    Anyway, I couldn't get this song out of my head for days after you posted it last year and just had to know when it was issued. I know it's been said many times but thanks for all your incredible work. Your attention to detail is extraordinary and much appreciated.

    Looking forward to see and hear what Christmas goodies you have in store for us all this holiday season!
    Jack

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  12. TheDanTuesday, August 01, 2023 7:56:00 AM

    Thank you so much for this (better sounding) version of Jewel Lombardo - Christmas Melody

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    Replies
    1. ErnieTuesday, August 01, 2023 9:38:00 AM

      Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the note, always good to know someone is paying attention to these things in the archive.

      Delete

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