By far one of the most outrageous performers of the early years of rock, prone to emerging from coffins on stage, with a flaming skull named Henry as his constant companion, Screamin' Jay was an insanely theatrical figure long before it was even remotely acceptable. His 1958 debut, at home, featuring his legendary 'I Put A Spell On You', along with surreal hits like 'Hong Kong', 'Take Me Back To The Boot and Saddle', or his wild-ass reinventions of old standards like 'I Love Paris' and 'Deep Purple', is a carefully arranged yet gritty, ray charles-gone-crazy styled, full band rhythm and blues masterpiece, filled with enough howls and groans to send chills down your spine.
By far one of the most outrageous performers of the early years of rock, prone to emerging from coffins on stage, with a flaming skull named Henry as his constant companion, Screamin' Jay was an insanely theatrical figure long before it was even remotely acceptable. His 1958 debut, at home, featuring his legendary 'I Put A Spell On You', along with surreal hits like 'Hong Kong', 'Take Me Back To The Boot and Saddle', or his wild-ass reinventions of old standards like 'I Love Paris' and 'Deep Purple', is a carefully arranged yet gritty, ray charles-gone-crazy styled, full band rhythm and blues masterpiece, filled with enough howls and groans to send chills down your spine.