Allen Richard Toussaint was an American musician, songwriter, arranger, and record producer. He was an influential figure in New Orleans rhythm and blues from the 1950s to the end of the century, described as "one of popular music's great backroom figures." Many musicians recorded Toussaint's compositions. He was a producer for hundreds of recordings: the best known are "Right Place, Wrong Time", by longtime friend Dr. John, and "Lady Marmalade" by Labelle.
Minit Records was an American independent record label, originally based in New Orleans and founded by Joe Banashak in 1959. Ernie K. Doe, Aaron Neville, Irma Thomas, and Benny Spellman were early artists on the label. Later artists included Bobby Womack and Ike & Tina Turner.
"This Ole House" is an American popular song written by Stuart Hamblen, and published in 1954. Rosemary Clooney's version reached the top of the popular music charts in both the US and the UK in 1954. The song again topped the UK chart in 1981 in a recording by Shakin' Stevens.
"The Green Door" is a 1956 popular song, with music composed by Bob "Hutch" Davie and lyrics by Marvin J. Moore. It was first recorded by Jim Lowe which reached number one on the US chart in 1956. The song has been covered by a number of artists, including a version by Shakin' Stevens in 1981.
Irma Thomas is an American singer from New Orleans. She is known as the "Soul Queen of New Orleans".
"Oh Julie" was a number one hit in the UK Singles Chart for one week for Shakin' Stevens in January 1982.
"You Drive Me Crazy" is a song by Welsh rock and roll singer Shakin' Stevens, released in April 1981 from his album Shaky. It peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart for four weeks behind Adam and the Ants' "Stand and Deliver".
Shaky is an album released by Shakin' Stevens in 1981. Released at the peak of his popularity, Shaky was the first and, to date, only UK number 1 album for Shakin' Stevens. The album features three top ten singles, most notably Green Door, which enjoyed a month at number one during the summer of 1981. Despite Shaky's reputation as a rock and roll cover artist, the album contained five of his own compositions as well as the original song "You Drive Me Crazy", which spent four weeks at number two in the UK singles chart in the spring of 1981. A cover of "It's Raining", released in the autumn, also managed to reach the top ten in the UK.
Tami Lynn was an American soul singer. She scored a Top Ten hit on the UK Singles Chart in 1971 with the song "I'm Gonna Run Away From You".
"A Rockin' Good Way (to Mess Around and Fall in Love)" is a song first recorded in 1958 by Priscilla Bowman, on the Abner Records label (ABNER DJ 1018). Bowman was given vocal backing by The Spaniels.
"A Letter to You" is a song written by Dennis Linde and originally recorded by Shakin' Stevens. His version of the song went to #10 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Cry Just a Little Bit" is a song and a 1983 hit single for British singer Shakin' Stevens, from his studio album The Bop Won't Stop. It reached #3 in the UK charts and #67 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
"Shirley" is a song originally released by John Fred and the Playboys in December 1958 by Montel Records. It was the band's debut single and reached number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1959. The song became an international hit in 1982 when it was covered by Shakin' Stevens, peaking at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.
"I'll Be Satisfied" is a popular song. Recorded and released by Jackie Wilson in 1959, the single peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was a Top 10 R&B hit, peaking at # 6. It was written, like many of Wilson's early hits, by future Motown founder Berry Gordy along with Gordy's sister Gwendolyn and Roquel "Billy" Davis, writing under his songwriting alias of Tyran Carlo. This up-tempo rocker could best be described as "proto Motown", featuring many of the musical and lyrical features that Gordy would employ on his later recordings for his Motown Records label.
"It's Late" is a song written by Dorsey Burnette, who recorded it on August 28, 1958. However, it was not released and its first appearance was on a compilation album by Imperial Records in 1980. It is better known for its release as a single by Ricky Nelson in February 1959, subsequently reaching number 3 in the UK, number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 30 on the R&B chart that year. The song is featured on the 1959 album Ricky Sings Again.
"Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)" is a 1964 R&B song written by Jeannie Seely and Randy Newman. It was recorded by Irma Thomas and released as a single the same year, with "Time Is on My Side" as the B-side. The song is about a woman who stays in a relationship with a man despite his bad behavior.
"A Love Worth Waiting For" is a song by Welsh singer Shakin' Stevens, released in March 1984 as the fourth single from his album TheBop Won't Stop. It peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks and was certified silver in the UK by the BPI.
"Teardrops" is a song by Welsh singer Shakin' Stevens, released in November 1984 as the second single from his Greatest Hits album. It peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart. The song features The Shadows' Hank Marvin on lead guitar and was later included as a bonus track on the remastered version of Lipstick, Powder and Paint on The Epic Masters box set.
"Lipstick, Powder and Paint" is a song by American blues shouter Big Joe Turner, released in July 1956 as a double A-side single with "Rock a While". It was included on the soundtrack to the 1956 film Shake, Rattle & Rock!. "Lipstick, Powder and Paint" peaked at number 8 on the R&B Billboard chart, whilst the flip side "Rock a While" peaked at number 12.
"Give Me Your Heart Tonight" is a song by Welsh singer Shakin' Stevens, released in August 1982 as the third single from his album of the same name. It peaked at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart. With the release of the album, a promo single was also released, which included four songs from the album.
