WHADDYA CALL 'EMS

I'm a candy mouth, I'll admit it. I can cuss with the best of 'em. But I had to think long and hard about how I would address one of my favorite music genres. Verve Records, on one of their compilations referred to it as "the beat of burlesque." Debbie D. at Beware of the Blog refers to them as "rock 'n' soul shakers." But most people familiar with this type of music refer to them as "titty shakers." I've got no problem with the unsavoriness of the term. My misgivings about using it has to do with the fact that, well, it's not all that clever. Doesn't quite have the old school panache that old school strip music warrants. An example: Jerry Lee Lewis once referred to strip clubs as "jiggle clubs." Now, that's an excellent example of a panache-laced strip-related slang term. But the Killer isn't some record geek trying to think up a name for a compilation. Old school panache of all sorts runs through his veins.

Whatever you want to call them, there's a something about the late 50s to early 60s instrumentals that fall into the "titty shaker" category. They usually feature a honking sax or sleazy sounding organ, usually have a good beat, and quite often have just a couple words in the way of vocals. (Think, "[ba-boom, ba-boom, ba-boom..] Chicken Fat!") Another nutty thing is that the lion's share of "titty shakers" are by complete nobodies. Bands that made a few instrumental records that were used in jiggle clubs and forgotten until years later when "titty shaker" afficionados brought them out of obscurity. Regardless of the origins, the purpose, or the artists' level of fame, when you play several in a row, you're transported to a different time. Before lap dances, before full frontal, and, hell, before exposed nipples. But, alas, the men were always dogs.

These have all of the elements. Almost all ten, bona fide whatever you want to call thems on a Debbie D post at Beware of the Blog. And, Ms D, my hat is off to you for callin' 'em how you sees 'em.

Rock 'n' Soul Shakers, 10 prime mp3s at Beware of the Blog
Tittyshakers.com, streaming "titty shakers," forum and requisite postulating.