Frankie Ford

Alimony - Top Rank 1959
Sea Cruise - Ace 1959 and Sue 1965
You Talk Too Much - 1960
Roberta

   



New Orleans R and B sung by a White man!

1959 'Sea Cruise' went into the USA Top 20 in 1959 originally a Huey 'Piano' Smith song with Bobby Marchan on vocals. However, producer Johnny Vincent dubbed Frankie's singing on top of the backing track, probably upsetting Bobby Marchan.

Its one of few records if any that begins with a distinctive foghorn and reminiscent of the Mississippi riverboats that hoot to signal they are pulling away from their dock in the Crescent City, so the track is deeply inspired by the river and the city of New Orleans. All this background material was explained to me once by the DJ who played it for what was probably my first hearing, Roger Eagle at the Twisted Wheel in Brazennose Street Manchester. Roger was a keen record collector and had been obtaining USA singles since the mid 1950's due to his seafaring mates in Liverpool who bought them when in dock at the other side of the pond.

Song Lyrics Sea Cruise - Frankie Ford

Old man rhythm is in my shoes
No use t'sittin and a'singin the blues
So be my guest, you got nothing the Blues
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?

Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?

Feel like jumpin..baby won't ya join me please
I don't like beggin.but now I'm on bended knee

I got to get t'rockin get my hat off the rack
I got to boogie woogie like a knife in the back
So be my guest, you got nothing..to lose
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?

Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?

I got to get t'movin..baby I ain't lyin...