ROBERT PARKER "The Wardell Quezerque Sessions" (Nola Records 1966/67)

Despite the huge number of quality soul, funk and R&B sides to come out of New Orleans studios in the 1960’s, there weren’t too many that made a serious dent on the national charts (let alone the national consciousness). Whether this had to do with the uniqueness of Crescent City musicians or producers, or inherent problems with the taste of America’s radio listeners (probably a combination of both), few New Orleans soul sides are as well remembered as Robert Parker’s 1966 hit ‘Barefootin’.
Born in New Orleans in 1930, Parker was a seasoned live and studio musician by the time he hit the charts. He had gigged and recorded with Professor Longhair, Huey Piano Smith (who’s band was like a finishing school for Nola singers and musicians) and Earl King among others. He recorded his first sides as a leader for the Ron label in 1959, and over the next four years had records released by Imperial and Booker among others.
It wasn’t until he hooked up with NOLA Records in 1966 that he would cement his place in Soul history. Working with master New Orleans producer/arranger Wardell Quezerque, Parker would record eleven 45’s and one LP (the only LP release by the label) from 1966 to 1968.
His first, ‘Barefootin’ b/w ‘Let’s Go Baby (Where the Action Is)’ (Nola 721) was a huge hit by any standard (especially in New Orleans) making it to #2 R&B and #7 pop in the summer of 1966. Both sides were upbeat dancers and remain popular with the Northern Soul crowd. Marked by Parker’s smooth tenor and twangy guitar by New Orleans legend George Davis, ‘Barefootin’’ has been covered dozens of times since it’s initial release and has been utilized as a commercial jingle. The single was the biggest success that NOLA Records had seen (or would ever see) and their discography seems to indicate that they were pinning their hopes for continued national success on Parker.
Ironically, ‘Barefootin’, which was recorded in 1965 sat in the can for a year because of ambivalence by NOLA. The success of the record was enough that parker toured the UK in 1966, playing at the legendary Tiles club among others.
Sadly this success was not to materialize. That isn’t to say that Parker was without artistic success. Though he wasn’t the most distinctive vocalist plying his wares in New Orleans, he managed (in combination with Quezerque and the cream of New Orleans musicians) to make some excellent (and unjustly obscure) soul 45s on the NOLA label.
The ‘Barefootin’’ LP has a surprising number of tracks that do not appear on 45, including a number of covers. Parker does fairly good versions of Otis Redding’s ‘I’ve Been Loving You Too Long’ and ‘Mr. Pitiful’ as well as a cool cover of ‘In The Midnight Hour’. The fact that NOLA decided to record/issue their only LP (and a long string of 45s) with Parker says a lot about how they hoped to capitalize on the success of that first 45.
Parker’s next 45, ‘Ring Around The Roses’ b/w ‘She’s Coming Home’ (NOLA 724) has so far eluded me, and if anyone has a copy they can tape/burn for me I would be greatly appreciative.
‘Happy Feet’ b/w ‘The Scratch’ (NOLA 726) is one of those 45s where the record company clearly decided that the only way to follow up a hit was to make an outright clone. This isn’t to say that ‘Happy Feet’ isn’t an enjoyable record, but that it appears to be made from the same piece of cloth as ‘Barefootin’. It’s flip side, ‘The Scratch’ is a more hard driving version from the same template.
‘Tip Toe’ b/w ‘Soul Kind of Loving’ (NOLA 729) was Parker’s only other chart success for NOLA (but to a much smaller extent). ‘Tip Toe’ (which was covered by UK reggae/soul singer Norman T. Washington on the Pama label) is a storming dancer with a great bass line. ‘Soul Kind of Loving’ is a bluesy ballad. (Funky 16 Corners)

trax:
01 Barefootin' 02 Let's Go Baby (Where The Action Is) 03 Mr. Pitiful 04 I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) 05 Soul Kind Of Loving 06 C.C. Rider 07 The Scratch 08 Happy Feet 09 In The Midnight Hour 10 Directly From My Heart 11 Heading For A Fall 12 I Can't Help Myself 13 Tip Toe 14 Secret Service 15 Yak Yak Yak 16 Everybody's Hip Huggin 17 Foxy Mama 18 Holdin' Out 19 I Caught You In A Lie 20 Barefootin' Boogaloo 21 Soul Sister 22 Bow Legs 23 Boss Lovin' 24 Funky Soul Train
...served by Gyro1966...