RIP Benny Spellman, vocalist on New Orleans r'n'b classics Lipstick Traces (on a cigarette) and Fortune Teller

http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2011/06/benny_spellman_singer_of_lipst.html

excerpt from Keith Spera obit:
Benny Spellman, the vocalist whose double-sided recording of “Fortune Teller” and “Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)” is an enduring classic of New Orleans rhythm & blues, died Friday in Florida after a long illness. He was 79.

Mr. Spellman was born in Pensacola, Fla. He attended Southern University in Baton Rouge on a football scholarship; at Southern, he also began singing.

Back in Pensacola in 1959, Mr. Spellman encountered New Orleans R&B band Huey Smith & the Clowns. The band’s vehicle had broken down; Mr. Spellman offered to drive them back to New Orleans. He elected to remain there after falling in with the burgeoning rhythm & blues community centered around the Dew Drop Inn.

He became one of the many artists to give voice to producer/songwriter Allen Toussaint’s voluminous 1960s output. In 1962, Minit Records released a 45 rpm single with Mr. Spellman singing “Lipstick Traces” on the A-side and “Fortune Teller” on the B-side. Both songs were written by Toussaint under the pseudonym “Naomi Neville.”

The O’Jays, Ringo Starr and Alex Chilton all later did “Lipstick Traces.”

The Rolling Stones and The Who each did versions of “Fortune Teller.” “Raising Sand,” the Grammy-winning, million-selling 2007 collaboration between Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, contained a spooky version of “Fortune Teller.”

Great Allen Toussaint written songs.

Funny comment I found elsewhere online:

Greil Marcus used "Lipstick Traces" for the title, and starting point of one of his books. I found the book dense and impenetrable. I bought a hardback copy in a US bookshop and shlepped it back home, adding about a kilo to my holiday luggage. Completely unreadable. I should have bought 45s instead.

RIP

The Hollies did a nice version of "Fortune Teller" too. I like the introduction of the tune on the expanded Live At Leeds where Daltrey lists other bands who've "this rock'n'roll number".

What? RIP. Love that story about how there was originally another bass singer at the session for "Mother-In-Law," but he wasn't cutting it so Allen Toussaint said "Benny, get on the mic!"

He also said he had to do more gigs than Ernie K-Doe to make money as Ernie's name was listed on that track but not his, so Ernie got more fame.

I don't think I've ever heard any more by him than those two songs, but what a classic double sided single. He never performed at Jazzfest in my memory either. RIP Mr. Spellman.

Mr Fine Wine recommends
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCgw3VEZ1_4

That's heartwarming (if a bit sad) thanks.

Wow, this is beautiful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y0O_UC8Ghw

I also think this one needs to be here, love this video so much. Benny, say hi to Snooks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdMDexoMSlc&feature=related

I've always had a soft spot for this one - more of a good old N.O. goofball number than something otherworldly like Lipstick Traces, but a pretty fun one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WsTz7g6nDQ

http://thevinylword.blogspot.com/

See June 5th posting by this person who saw him live in 1993 and took a photo

Blogger Red Kelly weighs in also. He had visited Benny in his Pensacola nursing home and gives the details on Benny's career

http://redkelly.blogspot.com/2011/06/benny-spellman-i-feel-good-atlantic.html

Benny Spellman had come to New Orleans in 1959 when Huey Smith and the Clowns had a car accident in his home state of Florida, and he gave them a ride home.

Me too. Also didn't realize Benny had his stroke in the late 80s. That's a long time to live in a debilitated condition, and explains why I never saw him perform.

(Red Kelly's site is ace!)

Greil Marcus used "Lipstick Traces" for the title, and starting point of one of his books. I found the book dense and impenetrable. I bought a hardback copy in a US bookshop and shlepped it back home, adding about a kilo to my holiday luggage. Completely unreadable. I should have bought 45s instead.

loool

Ha.