BIOGRAPHY AND DISCOGRAPHY

 

Not a rock artist for any length of time, but rather a veteran musician who was either recruited by Decca Records to cut rock songs in 1949 in an effort to capitalize on the music’s growing popularity, or else he was someone who felt his own fortunes might be improved if he learned how to rock. It didn’t last long but his most notable effort was reasonable in its attempt.

Doles Dickens (sometimes shortened to Dole Dickens) was born in 1916 and began playing bass for jazz bands in the late 1930’s. He first recorded with Eddie South’s band in 1940, was a founding member of Steve Gibson’s Five Red Caps, a vital pre-rock outfit, though he didn’t stay long, and mid-decade he formed his own group with little success on record. They were seen as being reasonably well-suited to a major label’s condescending view of rock ‘n’ roll however and so in spring of 1949 they were signed to Decca Records where they covered two recent rock hits which made up their first single.

They stirred little interest, other than years later from a strictly historical perspective, and their later releases were more in a novelty pre-rock vein, though they did try once more to latch on, if only tangentially, to rock ‘n roll with 1951’s “We’re Gonna Rock This Morning”. By now there was little chance for mistaking them for the real deal and they were cut loose, though Dickens did continue to record some under his own name as well as doing sessions behind others. After leaving the playing to others by the end of the 1950’s he moved into arranging and production before dying, still fairly obscure, in 1972. His legacy however, such as it is, stems almost entirely from his brief flirtation with rock ‘n’ roll as leader of one of the first major label cover bands to infiltrate rock music.
 
 
DOLES DICKENS DISCOGRAPHY (Records Reviewed To Date On Spontaneous Lunacy):

ROCK AND ROLL
(Decca 48110; July, 1949)
Though almost certainly conceived as a cynical ploy to horn in on rock’s growing popularity and suffering from lead singer Joe Gregory’s flat reading, the band gives itself over to authentically replicating the spirit of rock, making this one cover record that is notable for more than just its historical significance. (5)

BLUES IN THE BACK ROOM
(Decca 48199; February, 1951)
A modest effort in an attempt to stay relevant – and employed – as this atmospheric instrumental is too mild to stir much interest, though it’s got a decent groove to it, but instead of giving so much time to the piano they should’ve let the sax take a bigger role. (4)

WOOGIE
(Decca 48214; May, 1951)
Cursed with inane lyrics that are sung in a hushed tone by the band makes this a pretty weak idea but the properly sung interludes by Joe Gregory and a good sax led backing during the subpar sections keep this from sinking altogether. (3)

GONNA ROCK THIS MORNIN’
(Decca 48229; August, 1951)
The group’s sometimes questionable decision to pursue rock ‘n’ roll finally comes to fruition with a genuine rocker that hits all its marks, especially the rousing instrumental break, but as good as it sounds it’s still a pastiche rather than something breaking new ground. (6)

BLUES IN THE EVENING
(Decca 48242; September, 1951)
A mild-mannered instrumental perfectly suited for an older artist caught between eras and musical genres… modestly well played but hardly captivating for any audience, particularly the one he’s flirted with for awhile without much success. (3)