JOE TURNER Shake Rattle and Roll YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU 1954 Atlantic 1026 R&B 78
£
35
$
46
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Description
Recorded in New York City on 15 February 1954, this monumental 10-inch shellac single features the legendary "Boss of the Blues," Big Joe Turner, backed by His Blues Kings. The A-side, "Shake, Rattle and Roll," stands as an undisputed, foundational pillar of early Rock & Roll. Written by Jesse Stone (using the pseudonym Charles Calhoun), the track explodes with a driving rhythm anchored by Sam "The Man" Taylor's blistering tenor saxophone solo and a shouting chorus featuring label executives Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler. This original version laid the direct sonic blueprint for the entire rock explosion, famously covered months later by Bill Haley and His Comets.The B-side, "You Know I Love You," pivots beautifully into a deep, late-night R&B groove that showcases Turner's legendary, commanding vocal shout at its absolute peak. Of paramount interest to discographers, the original sleeve notes explicitly detail the involvement of the brilliant New Orleans arranger and keyboard virtuoso Edward Frank on Side B, anchoring the rhythm section with his signature, sophisticated southern chord voicings and impeccable jazz-blues timing.
The year 1954 represents a massive cultural flashpoint in the desegregation of American popular music. "Shake, Rattle and Roll" captures the exact moment independent rhythm & blues crossed over from specialized regional Black markets straight into mainstream teenage consciousness. Turner's unvarnished, highly suggestive lyrics served as a vibrant soundtrack for a new generation of post-war youth who were actively breaking down traditional social boundaries on the dance floor. The song's massive success forced a conservative music industry to adapt, bridging the gap between urban blues traditions and the youth-driven rock-and-roll revolution that would permanently reshape global pop culture.
This scarce 78rpm pressing features the , traditional solid red and black Atlantic Records label variant with the signature stylized corporate name tracking elegantly over the upper half of the center wax.Independent operations like Atlantic Records aggressively bypassed major network radio monopolies to capture raw, regional Black music. By 1954, the retail market was increasingly transitioning toward microgroove 45 RPM vinyl. Because these early Atlantic rock-and-blues 78s were distributed heavily to inner-city jukeboxes and urban retail shops, they were routinely played to near-destruction under heavy, steel-needled tone-arms. Finding a survivor that has completely escaped permanent acoustic wear to deliver clean high-fidelity playback is an exceptional feat.
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