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| Cobra Records | |
|---|---|
 Label of first single issued by Cobra with distinctive name design | |
| Founded | 1956 |
| Founder | Eli Toscano |
| Defunct | 1959 |
| Status | Defunct |
| Genre | Blues, rhythm and blues |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | Chicago |
Cobra Records was an independent record label that operated in Chicago from 1956 to 1959 and launched the careers of Chicago blues artists Otis Rush, Magic Sam and Buddy Guy, a new generation who pioneered the West Side Sound.[1]
Cobra was started on Chicago's West Side in 1956 by Eli Toscano, a record store- and television repair shop owner, with help from promoter Howard Bedno.[2] When his previous record label, Abco Records, failed to generate much interest, Toscano approached Willie Dixon about working for him.[3] Dissatisfied with his arrangement with Chess Records, Dixon joined Cobra and served as a talent scout, producer, arranger, songwriter and bassist, becoming "the artistic vision behind Cobra Records".[4]
First to record for Cobra was Otis Rush. His single "I Can't Quit You Baby" became a hit, spending six weeks in the Billboard R&B chart, where it reached number six in 1956.[5] Rush recorded another seven singles for Cobra, described as "defining moments of Chicago blues."[6] In 1957, Magic Sam recorded his signature song "All Your Love" and released four singles on Cobra. Buddy Guy released two singles in 1958 on Cobra's Artistic Records subsidiary.
From 1956–1958 Cobra issued singles by a variety of acts, including Ike Turner and several blues veterans. However, by 1959 financial troubles overtook the company and it went out of business. The Cobra catalogue was subsequently purchased by Stan Lewis of Jewel/Paula/Ron Records. Most of the Cobra (and Artistic) recordings (57 tracks, including several alternate and outtakes) were released on The Cobra Records Story: Chicago Rock and Blues 1956–1958 by Capricorn Records in 1993.[4] In 2013, 40 songs from the Cobra catalogue were released on a two-CD set, titled Double Trouble: The Cobra Record Story.[7]
Discography
Cobra Records
| Catalogue number | Artist | Title (A-side / B-side) | Year released |
|---|---|---|---|
5000[8]
|
Otis Rush | "I Can't Quit You Baby" / "Sit Down Baby" | 1956 |
5001
|
The Clouds | "Rock and Roll Boogie" / "I Do" | |
5002
|
Shakey Horton | "Have a Good Time" / "Need My Baby" | |
5003
|
The Calvaes | "Fine Girl" / "Mambo Fiesta" | |
5004
|
Harold Burrage & His Combo | "One More Dance" / "You Eat Too Much" | |
5005
|
Otis Rush & His Band | "Violent Love" / "My Love Will Never Die" | |
5006
|
Sunnyland Slim | "It's You Baby" / "Highway 61" | 1957 |
5007
|
Lee Jackson | "Fishin' in My Pond" / "I'll Just Keep Walkin'" | |
5008
|
Gloria Irving | "I Need a Man" / "For You and Only You" | |
5009
|
Duke Jenkins Orchestra | "Something Else" / "The Duke Walks" | |
5010
|
Otis Rush | "Groaning the Blues" / "If You Were Mine" | |
5011
|
Little Willy Foster | "Crying the Blues" / "Little Girl" | |
5012
|
Harold Burrage | "Messed Up" / "I Don't Care Who Knows" | |
5013
|
Magic Sam | "All Your Love" / "Love Me with a Feeling" | |
5014
|
The Calvaes | "Born with Rhythm" / "Lonely Lonely Village" | |
5015
|
Otis Rush | "Love That Woman" / "Jump Sister Bessie" | |
5016
|
Clarence Jolly | "Changing Love" / "Don't Leave Me" | |
5017
|
Guitar Shorty | "You Don't Treat Me Right" / "Irma Lee" | |
5018
|
Harold Burrage | "Stop for the Red Light" / "Satisfied" | |
5019
|
Betty Everett | "My Life Depends on You" / "My Love" | |
5020
|
Duke Jenkins Orchestra | "Where Can My Loved One Be" / "Shake It" | |
5021
|
Magic Sam | "Everything Gonna Be Alright" / "Look Whatcha Done" | 1958 |
5022
|
Harold Burrage, Willie Dixon Band | "She Knocks Me Out" / "A Heart (Filled with Pain)" | |
5023
|
Otis Rush with Willie Dixon Orchestra | "Three Times a Fool" / "She's a Good 'Un" | |
5024
|
Betty Everett | "Ain't Gonna Cry" / "Killer Diller" | |
5025
|
Magic Sam | "All Night Long" / "All My Whole Life" | |
5026
|
Harold Burrage & His Band | "I Cry for You" / "Betty Jean" | |
5027
|
Otis Rush | "It Takes Time" / "Checking on My Baby" | |
5028
|
Jimmy & Kelly the Rock-a-Beats | "Little Chickie" / "Bonnie" | |
5029
|
Magic Sam | "Easy Baby" / "21 Days in Jail" | |
5030
|
Otis Rush & His Band | "Double Trouble" / "Keep on Loving Me, Baby" | |
5031
|
Betty Everett & Willie Dixon Band | "I'll Weep No More" / "Tell Me, Darling" | |
5032
|
Otis Rush & His Band | "All Your Love (I Miss Loving)" / "My Baby's a Good 'Un" | |
5033
|
Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm | "Walking Down the Aisle" / "Box Top" | 1959 |
Artistic Records
| Catalogue number | Artist | Title (A-side / B-side) | Year released |
|---|---|---|---|
1500
|
Charles Clark & Willie Dixon Band | "Row Your Boat" / "Hidden Charms" | 1958 |
1501
|
Buddy Guy & His Band | "Sit and Cry (The Blues)" / "Try to Quit You Baby" | |
1502
|
Shakey Jake Harris & Willie Dixon Band| | "Roll Your Moneymaker" / "Call Me if You Need Me" | |
1503
|
Buddy Guy & His Band | "This Is the End" / "You Sure Can't Do" | 1959 |
1504
|
Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm | "(I Know) You Don't Love Me" / "Down and Out" |
Abco Records
| Catalogue number | Artist | Title (A-side / B-side) | Year released |
|---|---|---|---|
100
|
Arbee Stidham | "I'll Always Remember You" / "Meet Me Half Way" | 1956 |
101
|
Herby Joe | "Smoke Stack Lightning" / "Dreamed (Last Night)" | |
102
|
Zona Sago's Modern Sounds | "Short Order" / "Jivin' at Random" | |
103
|
Freddie Hall & the Aces | "Can't This Be Mine" / "Playin' Hard to Get" | |
104
|
Louis Myers & the Aces | "Just Whaling" / "Bluesy" | |
105
|
Rip-Chords | "I Love You the Most" / "Let's Do the Razzle Dazzle" | |
106
|
Morris Pejoe | "Screaming and Crying" / "Maybe Blues" | |
107
|
Arbee Stidham | "When I Find My Baby" / "Please Let It Be Me'" | 1957 |
References
- ^ Haig 1993, p. 14.
- ^ Haig 1993, pp. 2, 8.
- ^ Dixon & Snowden 1989, p. 105.
- ^ a b Haig 1993, p. 2.
- ^ Whitburn 1988, p. 361.
- ^ Koda 1996, p. 230.
- ^ Heatley 2013, p. 1.
- ^ Otis Rush's "I Can't Quit You Baby" was also issued as Chief 8000 in 1956. Hoppula, Pete (May 31, 2006). "Cobra Records – Discography". WangDangDula.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2009.
Bibliography
- Haig, Diana Reid (1993). The Cobra Records Story: Chicago Rock and Blues 1956–1958 (Media notes). Various artists. Nashville, Tennessee: Capricorn Records. 9-42012-2.
- Broven, John (2009). Record Makers and Breakers: Voices of the Independent Rock 'n' Roll Pioneers. Champaign, Illinois: University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-03290-5.
- Dixon, Willie; Snowden, Don (1989). I Am the Blues. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-80415-8.
- Heatley, Michael (2013). Double Trouble: The Cobra Records Story (Album notes). Various artists. United Kingdom: One Day Music. DAY2CD204.
- Koda, Cub (1996). "Otis Rush". In Erlewine, Michael (ed.). All Music Guide to the Blues. San Francisco: Miller Freeman Books. ISBN 0-87930-424-3.
- Whitburn, Joel (1988). Top R&B Singles 1942–1988. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research. ISBN 0-89820-068-7.
