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The Legends of the Rocking Dutchman - episode 144

Supreme records

Today the story of the West Coast based Supreme label, in operation from 1947 to 1950. Owner Al Patrick - dentist by profession - got some real great names on his label and a few good hits, still the label succumbed to financial troubles - mainly due to the lengthy and expensive lawsuits the label got involved in.

One was against Decca for a cover version of Paula Watson's novelty song A Little Bird Told Me. The stake was high - 400,000 dollars, for stealing the arrangement and vocal style. The judge ruled in favor of Decca, stating that these aspects should not be regarded as copyright. This was a historical decision as it legalized the already widespread practice of white pop artists covering Rhythm & Blues songs, agressively marketed by the major record labels. The original, African American artists saw their sales collapse and proved to be unprotected against such practices.

The outcome of the lawsuit proved to become one of the cornerstones of the Rock 'n Roll revolution - and it put the Supreme label out of business.

Transcript

Playlist

  1. Jimmy Witherspoon - Cain River Blues (Supreme 1500)
  2. Buddy Tate - Tate's a Jumpin' (1502)
  3. Buddy Tate - Good Morning Judge (1504)
  4. Paula Watson - Pretty Papa Blues (1507 alt)
  5. Jimmy Witherspoon - Hey Mr. Landlord (Landlord Shuffle) (1508)
  6. Big Jim Wynn - J.W. Bop (1509)
  7. Paula Watson - Paula's Nightmare (1510)
  8. Buddy Tate - Swinging Away With Willie & Ray (1514)
  9. Paula Watson - Of All Things (1518)
  10. Big Jim Wynn - Farewell Baby (1522)
  11. Earl Jackson - If I Had One (1527)
  12. Earl Jackson - So Help Me (1532)
  13. Eddie Williams & his Brown Buddies - Red Head 'n' Cadillac (1535)
  14. Eddie Williams & his Brown Buddies - Mississippi Blues (1542)
  15. Percy Mayfield - Half Awake (Baby You'Re Still A Square) (1543)
  16. Jimmy Witherspoon - Skid Row Blues (1545)
  17. Eddie Williams & his Brown Buddies - Johnny Katherine (1548)
  18. Percy Mayfield - Leary Blues (1549)

Outtro:

  • Wild Bill Moore Sextette - Bongo Bounce
The following music served as background music during the spoken parts:
  • Kirk Kirkland - The Saxaphone Rag
  • Buddy Tate - Blowin' For Snake (Supreme 1504)
  • Big Jim Wynn - Blow Wynn Blow (1509)
  • Big Jim Wynn - Goofin' Off (1522)
  • Earl Jackson Band - Kansas City Jump Pt. 1 (1537)