Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger is the fifth studio album by American rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley launched in December 1960 by Checker Information.[1] The album title comes from the album’s first monitor referred to as “Gunslinger” and the duvet artwork has Bo Diddley wearing Western-style clothes. The songs for Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger have been recorded from October 1959 to February 1960.[2] A number of tracks of curiosity[citation needed] are “Sixteen Tons” which Bo was purported to carry out on The Ed Sullivan Present,[citation needed] the title monitor, and “Diddling” (an instrumental between guitar and saxophone).
Songs
“Gunslinger”
This track was initially launched because the a-side of Checker single 965 in November 1960.[3] The singles B-side “Signifying Blues” was by no means launched on the album. The track includes a Bo Diddley beat. Warren Zevon carried out the track as “Bo Diddley’s a Gunslinger” on his 1981 stay album Stand within the Hearth.
“Journey on Josephine”
“Journey on Josephine” was a rock and roll track with backing vocals and piano work by both Otis Spann, Lafayette Leake, or Billy Stewart.[4] The track has been lined by George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Sleepy LaBeef, Eric Sardinas, and Van Morrison.
“Sixteen Tons”
Bo Diddley was requested to carry out “Sixteen Tons” on The Ed Sullivan Present however carried out “Bo Diddley” as a substitute[citation needed].
“Cadillac”
The track “Cadillac” options Gene Barge on tenor saxophone,[4] and has been lined by The Kinks, The Downliners Sect, New Colony Six, and sung as a duet by Van Morrison and Linda Gail Lewis. Cadillac was additionally the identify of the guitar that’s featured on the album’s entrance cowl.[5]
Different songs/kinds
The track “Googlia Moo”, in addition to “No Extra Lovin'” and others, provides the album a doo-wop really feel.[6]
Observe itemizing
All tracks are written by Ellas McDaniel, besides the place famous.
| No. | Title | Size |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Gunslinger” | 1:50 |
| 2. | “Journey on Josephine” | 3:00 |
| 3. | “Doing the Craw-Daddy” | 2:58 |
| 4. | “Cadillac” | 2:39 |
| 5. | “Someplace” | 2:25 |
| Whole size: | 12:52[7] | |
| No. | Title | Author(s) | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6. | “Cheyenne” | 2:05 | |
| 7. | “Sixteen Tons” | Merle Travis, organized by McDaniel | 2:30 |
| 8. | “Whoa Mule (Shine)” | 2:28 | |
| 9. | “No Extra Lovin'” | 2:25 | |
| 10. | “Diddling” | 2:20 | |
| Whole size: | 11:48[7] | ||
| No. | Title | Size |
|---|---|---|
| 11. | “Working Man” | 3:00 |
| 12. | “Do What I Say” | 2:46 |
| No. | Title | Author(s) | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | “Prisoner of Love” | Russ Columbo, Leo Robin, Clarence Gaskill | 2:31 |
| 14. | “Googlia Moo” | 3:02 | |
| 15. | “Higher Watch Your self” | 2:54 |
Personnel
Per allmusic[4]
- Bo Diddley – lead vocals, lead guitar
- Jerome Inexperienced – maracas, backing vocals
- Willie Dixon – bass
- Bobby Baskerville – bass
- Jesse James Johnson – electrical bass
- Billy Downing – drums
- Clifton James – drums
- Lafayette Leake – piano
- Otis Spann – piano
- Billy Stewart – piano
- Peggy Jones – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Gene Barge – tenor saxophone
- Johnny Carter – backing vocals
- Harvey Fuqua – backing vocals
- Lily “Bee Bee” Jamieson – backing vocals
- Gloria Morgan – backing vocals
- Nate Nelson – backing vocals
- Leonard Chess – producer
- Andy McKaie – Reissue producer
- Vartan – Artwork path
Charts
The album spent one week on the UK Album Charts on November 9, 1963 at No. 20.[8]
Launch historical past
| Area | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | December 1960 | Checker Information | mono LP | LP 2297 |
| United Kingdom | November 1963 | Pye Jazz Information | mono LP | NJL 33 |
| United States | August 13, 1966 | Checker Information | 4-track cartridge | 21-369A |
| United States | 1988 | Chess Information | CD | CHD-9285 |
| United States | April 13, 2004 | Geffen Information | CD | 000176102 |
| Worldwide reissue | 2008 | Common Worldwide | LP | 1529771 |
