The Clarence Daniels Orchestra feat. Obie Jessie & Sandy Miller - Hard Workin' (2017)

By the sixties, big bands were no longer as popular as they had once been. That was no surprise as music had changed beyond recognition. Bands like The Beatles, and the British Invasion groups in 1964 were game-changers for the big band leaders. They were in a similar boat to the blues men, and found themselves marginalised, and no longer part of mainstream music. However, there were still venues where the big bands were welcomed with open arms.

This included the lounge bars in some of the classier hotels, and the casinos in Las Vegas and Reno. Each night, the big bands took to the stage and played in front of those who grew up listening to the same big bands. In Reno and Vegas, the audience was mainly gamblers, ranging from high rollers, to the little old ladies who had spent much of their day playing the slot machines. After the show, many of the bands tried to sell a copy of their latest album, hoping patrons would want a reminder of the evening’s music. It was a far cry when the heyday of the big bands, and when their albums sold in vast quantities. However, things had changed since then. Even Count Basie and Duke Ellington’s albums were no selling in the same quantities as they once had. For the big bands, and the bandleaders it was a worrying time.

Still, though, some big bandleaders were taking their bands into the studios during the sixties to record albums. This included Clarence Daniels, a native of Phoenix, Arizona who started out as a bassist and singer. However, he was always destined for greater things and eventually, founded The Clarence Daniels Orchestra.

Initially, the newly founded Clarence Daniels Orchestra were a popular draw, when they played live. Over the years, Clarence Daniels brought onboard a series of guest vocalists. This included Obie Jessie and Sandy Miller, who would feature on singles and albums released by The Clarence Daniels Orchestra. Some of these recording feature on a new compilation from Ace Records, Hard Workin’ which features The Clarence Daniels Orchestra featuring Obie Jessie and Sandy Miller. Hard Workin’ features twenty tracks recorded between 1966 and 1967, and includes singles, B-Sides, album tracks and nine previously unreleased tracks. Quite simply, Hard Workin’ is a comprehensive overview of The Clarence Daniels Orchestra’s all too short recording career.

The Clarence Daniels Orchestra’s recording career began in 1966. By then, The Clarence Daniels Orchestra had signed to one of the many independent labels based on the West Coast, Affiliated 45. It was an imprint of Modern Records, which was owned by the Bihari brothers.

In the case of Clarence Daniels and His Orchestra, this meant heading to Vegas, where he played in casinos and the lounges in upmarket hotels. Through constantly reinventing his music, Clarence Daniels and His Orchestra were able to continue to make a living out of music. Meanwhile, many bigs bands folded, or were reduced to playing in less salubrious establishments. However, Daniels and His Orchestra survived the change in musical fashions, and continued to release albums. These albums are more a reminder of the night they saw one of the last remaining big bands in all its glory, while Hard Workin’ is a reminder of The Clarence Daniels Orchestra featuring Obie Jessie and Sandy Miller at the peak of their musical powers.

TRACKLIST

01. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra feat. Obie Jessie - Hard Working Girl
02. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra - Daddy's Got a Shotgun
03. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra feat. Obie Jessie - Got a Good Thing Going On
04. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra feat. Sandy Miller - I Got To Get Ready
05. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra feat. Clarence Daniels - Baby I'm Gone
06. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra - Check Out Time
07. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra - Instrumental #1
08. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra feat. Obie Jessie - I've Got My Walkin' Papers
09. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra feat. Clarence Daniels - I'll Never Let You Go
10. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra - Lonesome Shack
11. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra feat. Clarence Daniels - What Can a Poor Boy Do
12. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra feat. Sandy Miller - And Then I'll Stay
13. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra - Instrumental #2
14. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra feat. Sandy Miller - Baby I'm Gone
15. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra feat. Obie Jessie - Hard Working Girl (take 1)
16. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra - You Dig It
17. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra - Do the Deal
18. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra - Cream Sherry
19. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra - Instrumental #3
20. The Clarence Daniels Orchestra feat. Clarence Daniels - Hello California