Bad Penny Blues
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Bad Penny Blues" | ||
---|---|---|
Single by Humphrey Lyttelton And His Band | ||
B-side(s) | Close Your Eyes | |
Released | 1956 | |
Format | 7" Single | |
Recorded | April 20, 1956, IBC Studios, London | |
Genre | trad jazz | |
Label | Parlophone ER 4184 | |
Writer(s) | Humphrey Lyttelton | |
Producer(s) | Joe Meek for Denis Preston |
Bad Penny Blues is a trad jazz piece written by Humphrey Lyttelton and recorded with his band in London on April 20, 1956. It was a hit in Britain at the time, originally released as Parlophone ER 4184. It was the first British jazz record to get into the Top Twenty, and stayed there for six weeks. Its success was very much due to the very catchy piano riff, brought to front by producer Joe Meek and played by Johnny Parker. Official producer of the record was Denis Preston, who employed Meek as engineer. It later inspired Paul McCartney's piano part in the Beatles' song "Lady Madonna" but the story that George Martin recorded both records, is not true. "Bad Penny Blues" was featured in Mike Figgis' film Red, White & Blues and is on the soundtrack CD of that film.
[edit] Personnel
Humphrey Lyttelton (trumpet, leader); Johnny Parker (piano); Jim Bray (bass); Stan Greig (drums)