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The Clovers "Hey Miss Fanniel" Atlantic 977 B 1953

This is the flip side to "I Played The Fool" Enjoy!

One of the most enduringly popular R&B groups has been the "Mighty Clovers" (as they were tagged by Dr. Jive). Extremely successful in the early- and mid-50s, the Clovers placed 21 tunes on the R&B charts, 19 of them in the top 10. Not only were they favorites of record buyers, but also of their peers. In addition, the Clovers were also one of the most popular live acts during the early to mid 50s. They continually played the theater circuits, and were in demand to appear in the package shows which toured the country.

The Clovers were originally a trio, which was formed about 1946 in Washington, D.C.'s Armstrong High School. Tenor/Baritone Harold "Hal" Lucas was both the lead and the originator of the name "Clovers," feeling it would be lucky for them; the others were tenor Billy Shelton and bass Thomas Woods. After a while, tenor John "Buddy" Bailey, another Armstrong High student, was added, and the group became known as the "4 Clovers." According to Lucas, their influences were the Charioteers, the Ravens, the Cap-Tans, the Syncopators, and the Orioles.

In 1948, neighborhood friend Matthew McQuater was returning home from football practice at Howard University, when he spotted the Clovers practicing on the street. Hearing something wrong with their harmony (his "ear" had been formed by singing in church), he stopped to offer some advice. He was invited to some rehearsals, and soon Billy Shelton was out and Matthew was in.

In October 1952, "Hey Miss Fannie" and "I Played The Fool" were released. This became another double-sided triumph for the guys, with "Hey Miss Fannie" going up to #2, and "I Played The Fool" (the first straight ballad to chart for the Clovers) right behind it at #3. The record was reviewed the week of October 18, along with Ruth Brown's "Three Letters," the Dominoes' "I'd Be Satisfied," Tab Smith's "You Belong To Me," Ray Charles' "Roll With My Baby," Earl Bostic's "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," and Shirley & Lee's "I'm Gone." "Hey Miss Fannie" became a Tip in Atlanta, the week of October 25.

"You've become my heart's disease" and "I don't care what your mama says/Let's have a good time anyways" were lyrics that helped make "Hey Miss Fannie" a tremendous hit. "I Played The Fool" has second tenor Matthew McQuater adding an echo effect to Buddy's lead, and "I'll drink a toast to a memory/I'll chase it down with tears" are outstanding lyrics.

The week of November 1 found "I Played The Fool" a Tip in Newark. Other Tips that week were "You Know I Know" (the 5 Royales, in New York) and "I'd Be Satisfied" (the Dominoes, in Philadelphia). November 22 saw the tune as a Tip in New York, while the Dominoes' "I'm Lonely" was a Tip in San Francisco.

Turntable used: Audio Technica AT-LP120 USB Direct Drive inputted straight into the sound card using the built-in pre-amp from the turntable.