Johnny Rivers At The Whisky À Go-Go

 

 

 

 

Johnny Rivers At The Whisky A Go-Go | Imperial LP-9264 

 

 updated 9/28/2026

 

 

 

Imperial records 1964 ‎– LP-9264

 

 Description

Johnny Rivers at the Whisky à Go Go captures the young 
Louisiana-born singer, guitarist and songwriter in the energetic
 atmosphere of the legendary Los Angeles nightclub. 
Recorded live during Rivers' engagement at the Whisky
 in January 1964, the album blends rock & roll, blues, 
R&B and New Orleans-influenced material with his 
distinctive guitar and vocal style.

The repertoire includes Chuck Berry's "Memphis" and
 "Brown Eyed Handsome Man," Don Gibson's "Oh, Lonesome Me," 
Lloyd Price's "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," Rufus Thomas'
 "Walking the Dog," and the Johnny Rivers original "Whisky A-Go-Go." 
The album closes with a lively "La Bamba/Twist & Shout" medley.

The album became Rivers' debut LP and helped establish the 
distinctive live sound associated with his early Whisky a Go Go
 performances. His recording of "Memphis" 
subsequently became a major hit.

Line-up 

Johnny Rivers – vocals, guitar
Tay Uhler – guitar
Joe Osborn – bass
Eddie Rubin – drums
Joe Sample – piano

Some contemporary/archival discographic sources list the core live 
trio as Rivers, Osborn and Rubin, while later credit sources also 
identify Tay Uhler and Joe Sample.

Recording Date & Studio / Venue

The performances were recorded live at the Whisky a Go Go 
in Los Angeles, California, in January 1964, during Rivers' opening 
engagement at the newly established club.

The recording equipment was operated from a truck outside the club
 by Wally Heider, with engineers including Bones Howe and Lanky Linstrot. 
The album was subsequently given additional studio work.

tracklist:

A1        Memphis
Written-By – Berry*
2:35
A2        It Wouldn't Happen With Me
Written-By – Evans*
3:30
A3        Oh Lonesome Me
Written-By – Gibson*
2:45
A4        Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Written-By – Price*
3:00
A5        Whisky-À-Go-Go
Written-By – Rivers*
3:50
B1        Walkin' The Dog
Written-By – Thomas
3:45
B2        Brown Eyed Handsome Man
Written-By – Berry*
3:00
B3        You Can Have Her (I Don't Want Her)
Written-By – Cook*
3:10
B4        Multiplication
Written-By – Darin*
2:50
        Medley    6:00
B5a        La Bamba
Written-By [Public Domain] – Rivers*
B5b        Twist And Shout
Written-By – Russell*, Medley*

Link available upon request

 

 

 

 

Enoch Light And His Orchestra – Discotheque: Dance Dance Dance (1964)

Enoch Light Discotheque Dance Dance Dance RS 33-873

Command records 1964  RS 33-873

notes:

Enoch Light And His Orchestra – Discotheque: Dance Dance Dance is 
a classic 1964 Command Records album that captures the energetic 
sound of the early American discotheque era. Issued as Command RS 33-873, 
this highly arranged dance LP combines big-band brass, guitars, organ,
 bass, drums and percussion with contemporary pop, R&B, 
jazz and dance-craze material.

Produced by Enoch Light and arranged by Lew Davies, the album was
 designed specifically for dancing, with a strong rhythmic pulse and
 the spectacular stereo-conscious production for which Command Records 
was famous. The repertoire includes versions of “Night Train,”
 “Watermelon Man,” “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “And I Love Her,” “Ya Ya,”
 “Dream Lover,” “If I Had A Hammer” and “C’Mon And Swim.”

Rather than the later 1970s meaning of the word “disco,” this record 
documents the much earlier discotheque culture of the mid-1960s, 
when dances such as the Frug, Watusi, Swim and Jerk were becoming 
part of popular culture.

For collectors of rare vinyl, Command Records, lounge, easy listening, 
jazz-pop, instrumental soul and vintage dance music, RS 33-873 is
an especially interesting example of Enoch Light's sophisticated studio approach.

credits:

Enoch Light – conductor
Phil Bodner – alto saxophone, flute
Al Casamenti – guitar
Tony Mottola – guitar
Dick Hyman – organ
Bob Haggart – bass
Bucky Pizzarelli – bass
Osie Johnson – drums
Bobby Rosengarden – drums / percussion

Recorded in 1964.
Fine Recording Studios, New York City, New York.
Produced / originated by: Enoch Light
Arrangements: Lew Davies
Associate producers: Julie Klages and Robert Byrne
Recording chief / engineer: Fred Christie

tracklist:

A1        Dream Lover    2:14
A2        Down By The Riverside    2:46
A3        Tintarella Di Luna (Magic Color Of The Moonlight)    2:14
A4        Hello, Dolly! (Bossa Nova)    2:05
A5        If I Had A Hammer
Guitar – Tony Mottola
Organ – Dick Hyman
    2:24
A6        C'Mon And Swim
Alto Saxophone – Phil Bodner
Organ – Dick Hyman
    1:47
A7        Night Train    2:27
B1        I Want To Hold Your Hand    2:44
B2        And I Love Her    2:27
B3        Ya Ya    2:40
B4        Lemon Merengue
Flute – Phil Bodner
    1:50
B5        Watermelon Man
Organ – Dick Hyman
    2:52
B6        I Want To Be Happy    2:14

Link