Gene Summers : Taboo ! Overtone Records

After his "Reminisce Cafe" CD released on February 1, 2008, Texas’ cat Gene Summers is back with a new product for friends, fans and completists. This 24-tracks release contains flip-sides from Gene’s popular singles, never-before-heard rehearsals, live performances, home recordings and seven previously unissued tracks. Taboo ! is an introduction to the other side of Gene’s music covering rhythm and blues, pop and country field.

The CD opens with "Taboo" and "Tomorrow", both cut in 1961 at Cliff Herring studio with Joe Donnell on sax. Next came "Chapel Bells Ringing", from 1962, with Bobby Rambo on guitar. A nice ballad issued with "Almost 12 O’clock" on Lafayette 645. "My Yearbook", written by Gene and his wife Deanna, is a catchy tune recorded in 1965 with sax, organ and a surprising Sid King on bass. "Jack and Jill’s New House", written by John D. Loudermilk in 1965, came from the same session and both songs were originally issued on Capri 513. "Big Blue Diamond", first cut in 1963, was probably Gene’s biggest success and here is featured the 1966’s version issued on Maridene 106. "The Looser/Look Alike Baby" (Soft 1005) and "Green Eyed Monster", produced by Maj. Bill Smith, (Charay 47/Mercury 72606) are also all from 1966 and showcase perfectly the style and tastes of that time.

"Tell It Like It Is", a ballad borrowed to Aaron Neville, and "Soothe Me", from Sam Cooke’s repertoire, are unissued live recordings done in 1967 at the Spot 77 Club in Dallas. Gene and its band are at home with these soul songs. "The Young Voices Of Childrens" (Domino 104 – Gene’s own label) and "Hot Pants" (Maridene 110) are typical 70’s dance stuff. It is interesting to note about these two songs being also issued as far as Australia on W&G 8264. "Fannie Mae" is a 1975 rendition of the Buster Brown’s classic issued on the Lake County LP the following year. Here Gene blows the harp with some background vocals. "Bye Bye Baby Blue" is an unissued sentimental song cut the day that followed Elvis’ passing while "Stranded in The Jungle", completed in 1981 but also unissued, bring us back in the 50’s when The Cadets get action with that novelty song, borrowed to the Jay Hawks, and cut for Modern. Good work and interesting recording. "Do You Think I’m Sexy ?", issued on LeCam in 1979, is another dance tune that granted Gene to be able to entertain club audience. That one came from Rod Stewart repertoire and was a huge disco flavoured hit. An entertainer and clubs performer had to be versatile.

The CD close with three bonus tracks never issued including "Rat Fink" that feature Sid and Billy King. "The Three Bells" is the classic Edith Piaf/Les Compagnons de la Chanson‘s song brightly covered by The Browns for RCA. In that home recording, Gene is part of the Four Star Quartet (Don Shook, Lowell "Pete" Robbins, James West) and they goes on a song they practiced long before Gene had cut its first rock-a-billy record for Jan. Yes, these guys from Duncanville were singing that song learned directly from the original French sheet music as soon as 1954. "Blue Moon" is the classic Rodgers/Hart’s song sung in Elvis’ style, recorded at home in 1978.

Also included are various messages, promotional spot and even Mac Curtis introducing "Do Ya Think I’m Sexy" on KXOL Radio, Fort Worth.

Here Gene Summers, boosted by the a recent surge of interest in the 1961 album cut of "Taboo" on "You Tube" wanted to give the "real deal" to real fans, opening his vaults and showcasing the many sides of his work as entertainer and showman. Just what you could have enjoyed on radio or clubs if you were living in Dallas area since the 60’s. Not a rock-a-billy record in any way… The flip-side or the other side of Gene Summers should have been a sharp tailored title for that new record available since November 11, 2011 from siliconmusic.us. The record will also be available on mp3 album beginning on December 1st at Amazon.