Lloyd Price - Mr Personality: Million Sellers & More From ABC

Mr Personality’s golden years

Though initially a star turn on Art Rupe’s Specialty Records, where he first had a hit with his original version of Lawdy Miss Clawdy in 1952, Lloyd Price has been a man of many labels. This 27-track collection concentrates on his big selling years (1957-61) at ABC Paramount. That era also coincided with the highpoint of the lucrative Lloyd Price-Harold Logan songwriting partnership, which scored four Top 20 hits (Personality, I’m Gonna Get Married, Stagger Lee and Where Were You On Our Wedding Day) in one year.

Besides including the US hits Just Because, Lady Luck and Question, this collection includes the ABC version of Lawdy Miss Clawdy and, most interesting of all, the alternative ABC version of Stagger Lee, devoid of all references to guns and gambling, making it fit for broadcast on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. While the first 12 tracks are either UK or US 45s, the balance comes from examples of ABC’s attempts to cash in on the burgeoning album market. Namely, The Exciting Lloyd Price, Mr Personality Sings The Blues, Cookin’ With Lloyd Price and Lloyd Price Sings The Million Sellers.

Shout! | SHOUT 43

Reviewed by Grahame Bent
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