FS 1005

FIVE STAR 1005 BILLY DEVROE AND THE DEVILAIRS

"BROAD MINDED"

Billy Devroe is probably best known today for the X rated party records that were released on LAFF Records during the 1970's and 1980's. Laff Records was the label that featured such artists as Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor, LaWanda Page, Skillet and Leroy, Rudy Ray Moore and even George Carlin. It was run by Lou Drozen, later assisted by his son David, and had started out re-releasing recordings made by other labels, primarily Dootsy Williams' Dootone Records. Laff Records and it's sister label Archives of Jazz, also licensed material from Tampa Records, in particular three "party records" made for Tampa Records by Billy Devroe and the Devilaires. "Broad Minded", the party album featured here, was Billy Devroe's third and last album made for Tampa Records and was reissued as "Trip Around The World" on Laff Records.

Today, listening to these so called "X" rated recordings, what is most amusing about them is what they reveal about those that made them and their sense of humor. They are politically incorrect, but not really that risque. In fact that is the funniest thing about them. Most of the jokes are more fitting for an elementary or middle school playground than for a nightclub. Many songs follow the Fluffy Hunter "Walk Right In Walk Right Out" ("The Walking Blues") model. There is plenty of homophobia, which would be expected in the era of Whisper and Confidential Magazine. Nevertheless, Billy Devroe and the Devilaires do present and perform the songs well, and they can be quite funny. Still, one can't help but try to imagine the look on the face of a mid-1980's purchaser of the Laff Records versions with the nude and salacious covers, after they have listened to the album!

Billy Devroe and the Devilaires had been a well established nightclub act for almost 10 years performing in Montreal, Quebec by the time this album was recorded. The only recording date which is certain and for which there are AF of M logs is April 30, 1957, when Billy Devroe, Blaine Johnson and Sam Wilson recorded a session for Tampa Records at Whitney Studio in Glendale, CA. It is not clear what came out of that session exactly, but on July 1, 1957 Billboard printed a review of the single Tampa 127 "Make It" with "Buttercup" on the flip side. The review categorized the music as "rockabilly" (which it is) , and while "Make It" was a song with "novelty" appeal, "Buttercup" was merely deemed "adequate", "..just another of many Presley imitations". Whether this harsh judgment was merited or not, Billy Devroe's career on Tampa did yield 6 singles, and 3 albums. Two of the singles are party type comedy material that are also included on the albums (and the subject of our next release of Billy Devroe and the Devilaires material), but the remaining four singles are unique.

They are featured here after the selections that comprised "Broad Minded", starting with "Buttercup" and "Make It" from TP-127. This is followed by "Coquette" and "I'm Packin'" from TP-133. Both "Coquette" and "Make It" were included in the V.S.O.P. RECORDS release of various Tampa singles, VSOP #88 CD "West Coast Rock & Roll". All four sides feature the rockabilly side of Billy Devroe's talents.

We have also included their first releases on Tampa Records that date to some time late in 1955 and early in 1956. Based upon the matrix numbers, we assume that the first release was Tampa 107 Billy Devroe and the Devilaires "Fire and Ice" backed by "Gamblers' Last Seven" which are pop oriented ballads that could have been released as country western or folk. The second release was reviewed in Billboard and included "The Love of Bridey Murphy" backed by "Will You Love Me". The Bridey Murphy story revolves around the hypnotic regression of a Colorado housewife who imagines herself an Irish woman born in the 19th century. A book was written by the amateur hypnotist who brought her into the trance and the ensuing publicity caused quite a sensation. Billboard included a review of Tampa TP 109 in its' February 25, 1956 issue in the Reviews of New Pop Records. The review was positive describing the side as:

"A warm and effective arrangement. First the hymn to Bridey, then a spoken plea. Gal herself answers from accross the "great divide". Dave Ballard delivers effective solo with the group. Unique material, could stir action."

The flip side, "Will You Love Me" is also reviewed, but more tepidly: "A simple little rhythm tune here for okay effect, but flip side has all the appeal."

We do not know whether the Dave Ballard referred to here is the same person as the 7'6" actor who played Tobor on the early 1950's TV show "Captain Video and his Video Rangers". He did, however, record a spoken word EP for Bob Scherman's Skylark label, entitled: "Love Letters."

Billy Devroe singles:

Coquette (Kahn, Lombardo, Green) Feist TP-133

I'm Packin' (Robert Scherman) Webster Lee Music TP-133

Buttercup (Robert Scherman) Webster Lee Music TP 127

Make It (Scherman, Herzon) Webster Lee Music TP-127

1/2 Fast Waltz

Jericho (There Were Three Jews From Jerusalem)

Ho Ho

The Queer Policeman

Fire and Ice (Kuby, Myrow) Webster Lee Music TP 45-107

Gamblers Last Seven (Curly Crowe) Empire Music TP 45-107

Will You Love Me (Robert Scherman) Webster Lee Music TP 109