Wednesday, January 09, 2008

The Triumphs - Burnt Biscuits (Volt 100)


Burnt Biscuits

As I was saying on the B Side, here's the one that started it all. If it kind of sounds like Booker T. and the M.G.'s to you, that's because half of the original group is on here, with Booker on the Hammond and Lewie Steinberg on bass. There's no guitar on this side, however, as Chips was apparently working the board. Instead of Al Jackson, Jr. on the drums (who wouldn't start doing sessions at Stax until the following year), that's Howard 'Bulldog' Grimes, the man who would go on to anchor Hi Rhythm.

According to Rob Bowman, "Burnt Biscuits did well in both Memphis and New Orleans, selling about thirty thousand copies in the latter city alone. Although this proved enough to get the record charted in Record World, elsewhere it died a quick death, and The Triumphs as such never attempted a follow-up. As an inter-racial instrumental ensemble, however, in many respects The Triumphs were the forerunners of what became known as Booker T. and the M.G.'s."

Indeed.

I wonder who's blowing that wild harmonica, son?

2 Comments:

Blogger Nancy said...

This interesting to see the 45 record. I was listing to a library Stax/Volt Vol. 1. I liked it. Now I know why. Nanc

8:02 PM  
Blogger Red Kelly said...

Update 3/15/10:

According to Howard Grimes, the original Triumphs drummer, that is Chips playing the harmonica.

Very Cool!

4:48 AM  

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