Memorial Album (Johnny Ace album)
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| Memorial Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | 1957 | |||
| Recorded | 1952–1954 | |||
| Genre | R&B, blues | |||
| Label | Duke | |||
| Johnny Ace chronology | ||||
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Memorial Album is a compilation album by the American musician Johnny Ace, released in 1957 and again in 1961.[1][2] A shorter version, Memorial Album for Johnny Ace, was released in 1955 and is considered one of the first R&B LP records.[1][3]
The songs were recorded between 1952 and 1954.[4] Don Robey, the head of Duke Records, was inspired in part to release the album due to the commercial fortunes of Hank Williams's music after the country singer's death.[5] Many of the songs were referred to as "heart ballads" by the music publications of the early 1950s, although Ace often recorded jump blues as B-sides.[6][7] "My Song", which was inspired by Ruth Brown's "So Long", was Ace's first number one Rhythm & Blues Records single.[8][9] "I'm Crazy Baby" was the last song cut at Ace's final studio session; he played piano on the track and was backed by the Johnny Board Band.[10] "Pledging My Love", on which Ace was backed by the Johnny Otis Orchestra, was released after Ace's death and also went to number one, in part due to the ambiguous circumstances of Ace's death.[11][3] "Anymore", on which Ace played vibraphone, was his final hit single.[12][7]
Critical reception
In 1984, The Buffalo News opined that "one is impressed by the singer's engaging ability with both ballads and uptempo blues."[17] In 1988, the Los Angeles Times concluded, "While he still seemed to be searching for his style (the singing here ranges from a gruff blues shading to almost straightforward pop), Ace exhibited a youthful earnestness and desire that perfectly tailored him for the emerging teen rock crowd."[15]
The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD noted that Ace "used his slightly unsteady baritone to intone sad blues ballads".[14] The Rolling Stone Album Guide stated that Ace "didn't have great range, and sometimes he wobbled slightly off-key, but [he] did have presence and personality."[16]