Search - Frankie Ford :: On The Street Where You Live - The Lost Tape 1962

Pianist/vocalist Frankie Ford, the rock 'n roll icon who topped the charts in 1959 with his hit Sea Cruise, ('Ooh-wee, baby') voyages into popular, big band styles on this never before released album that was recorded at the legendary Cosimo Matassa's J&M Studios back in 1962. Some of New Orleans finest musicians including pianist Ellis Marsalis, drummer James Black, then-guitarist Mac Rebennack (Dr. John), saxophonists Alvin 'Red' Tyler, Harold Battiste and Nat Perilliat and many more were assembled to provide solid backing for Ford's big voice. The arrangements were furnished by three of the Big Easy's aces - Tyler, Battiste and Wardell Quezergue. Ford chose all of the tunes for the street-themed project and dug into the rich source material of both Broadway musicals and standards. For decades, the session had been forgotten until Ford happened to come across a cassette of it. Just as he did decades ago, Ford took the product directly to Matassa who was as eager to release the album in 2009 as he was to record it back in 1962. Ford is captured here as he shed his teen idol persona to stand center stage in front of talent-packed big band and swing, croon and musically celebrate the world's streets and avenues.