The year was 1956, the location was Nashville, Tennessee and from this location came forth one of the meanest 45rpm moments in the rockabilly genre. Jimmy Witter with his group the Shadows cut two killer sides which make the above record a real holy grail amongst rockabilly and instrumental music record collectors.Jimmy Witter later became a well-known radio disc-jockey for WALT in the 60s by the name of Ron Hart.
Young Jim's genius however lies solely in this 45 that he cut for Nashville based 'Elvis Recording Company' in 1956, the label didn't last long as would be expected and was shutdown after this release as Colonel Tom Parker felt that the record label was capitalising on his boy-wonders' name (which they obviously were).
I'm unsure what side was the A-side or what was the B-side.
But the track I wish to highlight in this post is the monstrous instrumental screamer aptly titled 'Aaaaahhh!'.
The track begins with a menacing trio of twangy guitar, tough bass and monotone on the beat drumming, making it a hell of a mean song, an instrumental like this would have set any red-blooded males frustrations higher. The track is unadulterated teen-frustration and primitive snarl in music, only interrupted by the pulse tingling scream which Jimmy Witter let's out mid way through the track. Any mad man, teenage boy, pissed off person can relate to such a scream.
Dig it...
The 45 is a pretty rare one amongst collectors and has reached as high as $400 on ebay in the past.
Enjoy
Paul Messis
