RAY SAWYER: Cover to Cover

Christophe Kenner (December 25, 1929 – January 25, 1976) was a New Orleans R&B singer and songwriter, best known for two hit singles in the early 1960s, which became staples in the repertoires of many other musicians.

In 1957 Chris recorded his "Sick and Tired" for Imperial Records. Fats Domino covered it the next year, and his version became a hit. "Rocket to the Moon" and "Life Is Just a Struggle", both cut for Ron Records, were other notable songs he recorded in this period.

Moving to another New Orleans label, Instant, Chris began to work with the pianist and arranger Allen Toussaint. In 1961, this collaboration produced "I Like It Like That", his first and biggest hit, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (covered in 1965 by the Dave Clark Five), and "Something You Got" (covered by Wilson Pickett, Alvin Robinson, the Ramsey Lewis Trio, Chuck Jackson, Earl Grant, Maxine Brown, Bobby Womack, The Moody Blues, the American Breed, Fairport Convention, Bruce Springsteen and Jimi Hendrix).

"I Like It Like That" sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc. In 1963 Chris produced his most enduring song, "Land of 1000 Dances", which was covered by various artists, including Cannibal & the Headhunters, Thee Midniters, Wilson Pickett, the Action, and Patti Smith.

Chris Kenner continued to record for Instant and for other small local labels, including many of his lesser-known songs from the 1960s, such as "My Wife", "Packing Up" and "They Took My Money". He released an album, Land of 1000 Dances, on Atlantic Records in 1966; it was reissued on CD by Collectors' Choice in 2007.

Here is his "Sick and Tired", along with scenes of New Orleans.

Ray Sawyer was one of the two lead singers, (Dennis Locorriere being the other), of the band, Dr. Hook. At the height of their success, they were at the top of the charts in 42 countries, and collected 60 gold and platinum singles and albums.

However, before Dr. Hook, Ray was a member of the band, The Chocolate Papers and previous to that, led a band called Ray and The Cajuns. He also released two rock 'n' roll singles for Sandy Records: “Bells in My Heart” / “Rockin' Satellite” (1960) and “I'm Gonna Leave” / “You Gave Me the Right (1962).

While touring with Ray and The Cajuns in 1964 and 1965, his song list included “You Gonna Lose a Good Thing”, “Early One Morning”, I'm Not Alone”, “Mama, Mama, Mama”, “BeBopALula”, “Mixed Up”, “Boney Maroney”, “I've Been Loving You Too Long”, “Matilda”, “Please Forgive Me” and “Sick and Tired”.

Thanks to Ray's great Norwegian fan, Per Gjøvåg, who recorded the concert, we can enjoy a trip back to that time and listen to Ray and The Cajuns' version of “Sick and Tired”.

Thanks for listening. See you next time.

(The information used in this post is from Wikipedia and Dr. Hook and Me: A Fan's Journal/Scrapbook.)

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