Bobby Charles - Later Alligator! Recordings & Compositions 1955-62 (CD)

Release Date: 08/06/21

Rock 'n' Roll - R & B & Swamp A song writing and performing near forgotten legend

Born Robert Guidry in Abbeville, Louisiana, in 1938, he became famous as songwriter under his birth name, but also had success as a recording artist under the name Bobby Charles, beginning his career as an 18-year-old with an R&B hit with his composition 'Later Alligator', which Bill Haley covered to have a No. 6 pop hit early in the rock 'n' roll era. He was very much a pioneer of the Louisiana-based Swamp Pop style alongside Jimmy Clanton, characterised by recordings emanating from Cosimo Matassa's studio in New Orleans, where Fats Domino, a noted beneficiary of Guidry's songs, made his records. This 55-track 2-CD set comprises A & B sides and other recordings for the Chess and Imperial labels, including his R&B hits 'Later Alligator' and 'Only Time Will Tell'. As a bonus, it also features recordings of his songs recorded by other artists, including the hits 'See You Later Alligator' by Bill Haley, 'Walkin' To New Orleans', 'Before I Grow Too Old' and 'It Keeps Raining' by Fats Domino, and 'But I Do', 'On Bended Knees' and 'A Little Too Much' by Clarence 'Frogman' Henry. As such, it provides a fascinating showcase for his talents as both songwriter and artist, underlining the significant contribution he made to the pop music of the rock 'n' roll years.