Here is long overdue CD packaging sides from May 1957 to July 1961 by one of the most mysterious rocker coming from Oklahoma and often seen like an Canadian artist. That CD package its Candlelight, Bullseye, Len’s original recordings with ten sides from summer 1960 issued previously on Eagle CD 90112.

Clyde Stacy came from a family that moved to Arizona before settling in Lubbock (Texas) when he was about 13 years old. Knowing Buddy Holly and Sonny Curtis he progressed to his own radio show on KDAV before moving back in Tulsa when 18 years old. Tulsa was a musical place since long time and here he recruited John Le Van as lead guitarist. He was the one who play the killer guitar lead on "Hoy Hoy" cut in May/June 1957 and issued on Candlelight 1015 and Argyle 1001. That song was a cover of a Little Johnny Jones’ song cut in October 1953 issued on Atlantic 1045 being also covered late 1957 by The Collins Kids on Columbia 41087. "Hoy Hoy" is the most even if the flip side "So Young", a ballad already cut The Clovers (Atlantic 1139), seem to have more action then. "So Young", even with its sexy female voice, is nothing more than a haunting ballad.

Soon Woody Hinderling, Bullseye Record’s owner in New-York, bought Clyde’s contract from Don Wallace in a kind of joint-venture and bring him in studio to cut "Dream Boy" and "A Broken Heart" issued on Candlelight 1018. "Dream Boy", borrowed to Dickey Lee, is a kind of march like Eddie Cochran’s "Cherished Memories" sing with the support of the Ray Charles singers while "A Broken Heart (Is So Hard To Mend)" may have been another Ferlin’ Husky "Gone" or nothing. Early 1958, Woody Hinderling switched Clyde over to his Bullseye label and brings Clyde in studio to record Little Willie Littlefield’s "Baby Shame" (Rhythm 107) from 1957 with a speeded up cover of Jimmie Davis "Nobody’s Darling" ruined by a barking hound woman. Except that "Baby Shame" is a great rocker and both songs feature stunning guitar breaks by Al Caiola and Kenny Burrell. Three months later the same gang was bring at the same place to cut a stunning cover of "Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor" with wild piano by Ernest Hayes and a bright cover of Bobby Lee Trammel’s bluesy "I Sure Do Love You Baby" cut for Fabor in 1957. Both sides were issued on Bullseye 1008 making a strong single that got action in Canada allowing Clyde to have his picture on the cover of "Music World" magazine on them October 1, 1957 edition. The next session set like the previous but in September 1958 bring us "You Want Love" and "Once In A While", two poppish ballads I can’t stand, but nevertheless that Bullseye 1014 got some action and Clyde and The Four Flames worked hard on tour.

In 1960, The Four Flames were in studio to record for Bobby Brant’s Len’s label with Vernon Sandusky (gtr) and Big Al Downing (piano). The whole session produced 8 sides already issued on Eagle CD 90112 and goes from covers of "Good Rockin’ Tonight" (real hot), "I’ll Try" and "Summertime Blues" to ballads like "Be My Love" and "Return to Me" borrowed to Dean Martin. The original from Bobby and Vernon "Well I Love You" and the instros "Scotch on The Rocks" and "Transquilizer Cins" are definitively very attractive rockin’ sides. On July 1961, the same band was reunited to the same studio to reach the same goal. "Live and Learn", co-writen by Clyde and Bobby Brant, is on my own opinion the best side from that session but was left unissued like "End Up With The Blues". "Sit’in Down Crying" and "You’re Satisfied", showcasing the style of the time, were issued on Len 1015 being Clyde’s final appearance on record. Bobby Poe passed away on January 22, 2011 being 77 years old. He had to be remembered for his terrific sides cut for "White Rock", out of Dallas, with The Poe Kats.

That new CD was issued to tie up with Clyde’s European debut at Hemsby Rock ‘n’ Roll Weekender in May. We sure never expected to heard Clyde on stage shouting "Hoy Hoy" when came the first infos about the man in "Footsoldiers & King" (W. Russell – 1979) and Now Dig This (W. Russell - July 84). Clyde is back and with that new product from Bear Family you could enjoy his musical journey from wild rock and roll to pop and ballad stuff. He was a performer following the taste changes of the time having for some mysterious reasons more success in Canada than in his homeland. Hoy Hoy !

Dominique "Imperial" Anglares - May 7, 2011