This album is noteworthy, though, because of its iconic "Fazzio" album artwork. During the early 1960s, Fazzio, an artist renowned for his innovative airbrushing technique, graced numerous Crown Records releases with his distinctive touch. He had a knack for transforming photographs of artists into striking oil-painting-like portraits. As the last wave of Fazzio cover art rolled out, his mastery of the craft became increasingly evident.
However, the story takes a twist with Crown Records' dramatic rebranding shortly after this release. The back cover transitioned to feature images of suggested record albums and slogans like "Music for every mood" and "The best high-quality record value today." Whether these claims were entirely accurate remains a subject of debate.
Interestingly, despite the rebranding efforts, "Ray Charles Meets Jimmy Witherspoon" and two other albums adorned with Fazzio's cover art continued to be listed as examples of the label's "quality" offerings. Crown Records, founded by the controversial Bihari brothers, had a history that raised eyebrows in the music industry.
The Bihari brothers initially ran a semi-reputable R&B label through Modern Records before venturing into the realm of Crown Records. Their questionable practices included crediting themselves as co-writers when copyrighting their artists' music before releasing records, a practice that hinted at their profit-focused approach. They retained a significant portion of the record sales revenue, often at the expense of the talented artists featured on their label.
Between 1957 and 1972, Crown Records produced approximately 740 distinct album releases. Most of these albums have found their way online, typically claimed by those asserting ownership rights to the material. The label's catalog spanned various music genres, featuring both obscure artists and older material from more prominent names. Crown Records' strategy was to produce a high volume of records and offer them at affordable prices, making it relatively common to stumble upon a Crown Record in a thrift store.
In summary, "Ray Charles Meets Jimmy Witherspoon" is not just an album; it's a testament to the intriguing history of Crown Records, a label with a controversial legacy in the music industry. Their business practices and Fazzio's captivating cover art continue to pique the curiosity of collectors and music enthusiasts alike, preserving a unique chapter in the world of vinyl records.
Tracklist:
A1 Walkin' And Talkin'
A2 I'm Wondering And Wondering
A3 Done Found Out
A4 Sweet Lovin' Baby
A5 Evil Woman
B1 I Found My Baby There
B2 Good Money Blues
B3 Having A Ball
B4 Better Luck Next Time
B5 That's Why I'm Feeling Blue
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