Red Saunders & His Orchestra / The Royals (3) - Voodoo Blues / Gas Happy Mama

Year Released:
"Voodoo Blues" (Red Saunders & His Orchestra): 1951
"Gas Happy Mama" (The Royals): 1952 (This is a split single from early 1950s R&B.)
Genre:
"Voodoo Blues": Jump Blues, Rhythm & Blues.
"Gas Happy Mama": Rhythm & Blues, Doo-Wop (early).
Detailed Description Containing Key Facts: This single is a fascinating pairing of two distinct but historically significant early R&B acts.
Red Saunders & His Orchestra - "Voodoo Blues": Red Saunders (1912-1981) was a highly influential American jazz and R&B drummer and bandleader based in Chicago. His orchestra was known for its swinging, jump blues sound, incorporating elements of big band jazz with gritty R&B vocals. "Voodoo Blues" is a classic example of early 1950s rhythm and blues, featuring a strong blues vocal, a driving beat, and prominent horn arrangements, designed for dancing and showcasing the raw energy of the genre.
The Royals (3) - "Gas Happy Mama": This track by The Royals (who would later evolve into the legendary R&B group The Midnighters, featuring Hank Ballard) represents early vocal group R&B and doo-wop. It features raw, harmonized vocals over a basic but compelling rhythm section. These early recordings were crucial in the transition from blues to rock and roll, laying the groundwork for future vocal group sensations. This single captures a vital moment in the evolution of American popular music