“don’t sit there with your head hanging down”
Posted by thehookandsling on December 11th, 2007
We’d love to thank everyone that made it down to the night on Saturday as your support is always appreciated! Keep checking back here, as we’ll soon be announcing some serious heavyweight guest Dj’s we’ve got lined up for future nights!!
Packing my 45’s for The Hook And Sling on Saturday got me thinking how my collection had slowly grown over time and some things that had previously seemed unobtainable had finally been tracked down and captured. Which leads me to today’s post!
The first time I heard “Dap Walk” by Ernie And The Top Notes Inc. I knew I had to find a copy. Being fairly elusive, I didn’t really fancy my chances of owning it…….until a copy came up on Ebay.
One fierce bidding war, a three figured dent in my bank account and over a week worrying whether it would make it intact from the States later and the record was mine!
This (in my humble opinion) is one of those genre defining 45’s. Everything about it is simply brilliant; Louis Kimball’s spoken introduction, the ‘Tighten Up’- esque bass line, the guitars, the horns and what is arguably one of the fiercest drum solos on wax.
The original drummer, John Ross, was replaced at the last minute with Peter “Rooster”, as he was unable to make the final rehearsal before the recording session.
“Dap Walk” took its name from the band’s bass player John “Dap” Peters who had bad feet and struggled to walk properly. As the track was very much bass led, the band chose “Dap Walk” as the title.
Recorded in New Orleans in early 1972, the raw production shows up all the tiny imperfections on the tune, e.g. about thirty seconds in, the microphone picks up the wah wah pedal squeaking. Originally, bandleader Ernie Vincent secured a recording contract with Malaco Records. After a change of heart he tore up the contract and ran with Albion Ford’s own Fordom Records.
The Band recorded both sides in one session, which only lasted only a couple hours. They were originally scheduled to record “Dap Walk” parts one and two but Ford had second thoughts and asked the band to come up with a new flipside on the spot! They quickly composed “Things Are Better”, which curiously became the side all the radio stations plugged, sending the 45 to number three in the charts. Each track was recorded live and in one take, so you can really see just how tight the band were.
Heavy local radio play generated a lot of interest and they packed clubs whenever they played. Sadly, they seemed to be confined to local fame and never managed to break into the mainstream.
“Things Are Better” was later renamed “Things Could Be Better” and released on Fordom with Raymond Winnfield, a local car mechanic, fronting on vocals. For this cut Albion Ford decided to use Ernie And The Top Notes Inc. as the backing band. They continued to do backing sessions and played behind several notable artists, such as Solomon Burke, Joe Tex, Eddie Bo and Ernie K Doe, to name but a few.
Eventually Ernie And The Top Notes Inc. disbanded in the late 70’s but Ernie Vincent is still performing to this day.
December 11th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
hi there… that’s an amazing 45 there, but it’s a bit too expensive for me… what was the price for this beauty? 150£? mike
December 12th, 2007 at 4:08 am
Hey
Paid £220 for mine around a year and a half ago, the price on an original of this always seems to fluctuate and I don’t know what it would currently go for??? But it’s worth every penny!
I know Stones Throw Records included a reissue in a box set a while back
http://www.stonesthrow.com/nowagain/news/1003_boxset.htm
Thehookandsling
December 12th, 2007 at 5:24 am
Fantastic stuff. Glad I stumbled through the door. I’ve linked you up on my roll - hope thats cool.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
That performance was fucking amazing! Thank you very much. I only started digging about three years ago, so I know that records like this are virtually impossible to find. I am the proud owner of a few “prized possessions”, but some things I can only dream about… I will most certainly give you a link as well.
Peace and blessings.
January 15th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Thanks for all your comments!!
Mr DD
May 10th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Hi i have a copy of this- i love it to bits but am going to sell it to improve my financial situation- i will list it on discogs for y’all. Its in mint condition (seriously- when i mean mint i mean MINT) and such a great 45! Thanks p.s. get in touch with me on there if you want it- im willing to ship this 45 worldwide.
May 10th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Hey George
I may know someone who is after this I will send them your way
Thanks Mr DD
September 18th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I work with Ernie and it’s a real pleasure. He’s a one of kind guy. He always been a family man, now in his 60s, he wants to tour. I put him on all my records. His cuts kick ass! I need to find Ernie an agent so he can finally tour around the globe. Can anyone help? Thanks- David
September 19th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
David,
It’s a huge pleasure to receive a comment from people connected to the articles and mixes we drop!!
I for one would love to see Ernie tour!
Please keep us posted with any news
Mr Double Down
November 25th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
I have recently, in January, taken over all management of Ernie and we have been very busy, recorded a Delta Blues cd and reformed the Top Notes who have been literally burning up the clubs down in New Orleans and surrounding areas, he is performing all hit’s including dap wal, Things are Better, etc, along with some brand new off the hook funk! We are currently looking to book in Europe next summer so forward this info along to interested parties, you can reach me directly at info@ernievincent.com or call me at 504-524-8085, you can see more video’s and info at www.ErnieVincent.com and here is a little info….New Orleans own Funk’n Blues living legend Ernie Vincent is mounting a powerful resurgence in the Crescent City as of late. A product of New Orleans rhythm and blues, Ernie Vincent has been on the music scene since the mid 1960’s, playing r&b/funk and collaborating with the likes of Ernie K-Doe, King Floyd, Tommy Ridgley, Oliver Morgan, Irving Bannister, Eddie Bo, Jessie Hill and more. In the early 70’s Ernie broke loose and created his own band and signature sound with the Top Notes, churning out smash hits like and “Things are Better” and “Dap Walk” for which Vincent has gone down in the deep funk history books. “Dap Walk”, that unhinged masterpiece of wah- wah guitar, multiple drum breakdowns, and positive ghetto messages, is to this day a cult classic all over the world! His appearance is intense, his riffs smoothly rhythmic and his leads as stinging as a hive of angry queen bees. Ernie has been a special guest at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival for many years and his music has been on many compilation CDs across the planet. Ernie has been playing the club scene in New Orleans and music festivals worldwide either as a front man or backing such artists as Joe Tex, Solomon Burke, Alex Spearman and many of the indigenous Mardi Gras Indian bands such as the Wild Magnolias and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles. Most recently, Ernie Vincent and his newly reformed Top Notes band have been electrifying crowds regularly with his signature “wah wah guitar” mastery at d.b.a. and Tipitinas. Upcoming shows in October at Rock n’ Bowl and a slot at the upcoming Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival featuring the likes of Buddy Guy and Cyril Neville, and a new weekly gig on Thursday nights starting 10/15/09 at La Maison de la Musique on Frenchman St. will surely solidify Ernie’s resurgence so get ready! The “new” Top Notes band consists of some of the most talented and accomplished up and coming musicians in New Orleans including, Eric Heigle on drums, Phil Breen on keyboards, Josh Reppel on bass, James Martin on Sax, Mike Kobrin on trumpet, and when available, local trumpet sensation Shamarr Allen will join the horn section. The new formation of the “Top Notes” has enabled Vincent to finally unleash his hits like “Dap Walk” and “Things are Better” live on a regular basis along with countless other originals from his vast catalog for the first time since the mid 70’s, along with newly created deep funk’n blues classics. Recently, Offbeat’s (New Orleans Premier Music Magazine) associate editor Alex Rawls stated in a review how great it is that Ernie has been playing regularly around town the past few months, and when his “young band” finds its groove they have the “potential to be a powerhouse”, which they are well on there way to accomplishing. Ernie has also found time recently to collaborate with local bluesman Andrew Duhon on a new acoustic delta blues cd entitled “Bayou Road Blues” for which has received rave reviews worldwide and a spot on the grammy ballot. Ready or not , Ernie Vincent’s bring’n it to ya in a big way!
November 25th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Put wrong # above, use 504-201-2202, Peace Jerry