Ask “Mr. Music”
Jerry Osborne



FOR THE WEEK OF May 3, 1999

DEAR JERRY: In “Sam's Song,” a duet by Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin, exactly what does Sammy mean when he says “you'll get a nasty letter from Calhoun”? This line, which doesn't seem to have anything to do with the other lyrics, is heard right near the end of the song.
—Karl Whitman, Huntsville, Ala.

DEAR KARL: In songs as well as personal appearances, Sammy Davis Jr. showed his talent for doing impressions of other celebrities. One of his frequent voices was George “Kingfish” Stevens of the “Amos and Andy” show, one of radio broadcasting's most popular comedies ever, which carried over to TV in the early '50s.

In “Sam's Song,” Sammy puts on a Kingfish voice for that one line. “Calhoun” is Algonquin J. Calhoun, a devious but engaging attorney from the TV show's cast.

Though he once confessed to not being a real lawyer, Calhoun often appeared in court — usually on behalf of Andy and Kingfish, two of his brothers in the Mystic Knights of the Sea Lodge.

As for Amos, he wisely avoided the kind of crooked schemes that usually got Andy or Kingfish in trouble.

Now, in a somewhat similar vein:


DEAR JERRY: There once was a comedy record out about the flight of the NAACP plane. The characters sounded a little like Amos and Andy. It mentions the Plumb 40 runway, which is 40 miles out of town and plumb out of runway.

Can you tell me the name of this and who recorded it? Also can it still be purchased?
—R. Malvey, Paducah, Ky.

DEAR R: This unusual recording is “Flight NAACP 105,” one of a series of segregationist humor releases issued by Rebel Records, of Crowley, Louisiana. This disc (Rebel 105) is credited to the Son of Mississippi.

You may have better lucky finding this item from one of the deep south-based out-of-print record dealers. Its price should be in the $8.00 to $12.00 range.

At least one company, a South Carolina-based label, is considering release on CD of tracks originally made for Rebel records. Perhaps more about that will be known this summer.

DEAR JERRY: I hope you can help me because I want to surprise my step-daughter with a record. Her name is Emily Suzanne, and it was taken from a Mac Davis song from about 20 years ago.

I have tried everywhere to find it, but cannot.
—Kathy Smith-Baxter, Hudson, Fla.

DEAR KATHY: To have “Emily Suzanne,” you will need the Mac Davis album, “All the Love in the World” (Columbia 32927), a 1975 issue.

Knowing exactly which LP you're seeking always makes the search easier.


What's it Worth? Get fast appraisals by e-mail!

DEAR JERRY: During several “Ally McBeal” episodes, “Hooked on a Feeling” is played, usually in conjunction with the baby she visualizes.

My question, though, is who did the original version of “Hooked on a Feeling”? I know it was made many years before the version Ally hears.
—Brenda Jones, St. Petersburg, Fla.

DEAR BRENDA: For you, and for Robert Laflamme (laflamme@sierra.net) , who asks nearly the same question, the rousing “oog-a-chuga” rendition of “Hooked on a Feeling” heard on “Ally McBeal” is by the Swedish group, Blue Swede (EMI 3627). Their's became a No. 1 hit in early 1974.

Spotlighting a sitar instead of oog-a-chugas, B.J. Thomas made the original “Hooked on a Feeling” (Scepter 12230) in 1968. His sold well enough to make the Top 5.

IZ ZAT SO? It is clearly the distinctive oog-a-chugas make Blue Swede's “Hooked on a Feeling” so memorable. However, the Swedes did not originate that chant. Credit Jonathan King for the oog-a-chugas, first heard on his 1971 Decca release of “Hooked on a Feeling,” a hit in the U.K. but not in the U.S.






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