Legacy Recordings

Wildman, changeling, innovator Screamin’ Jay Hawkins cast a spell on R&B that dizzied James Brown, hypnotized Jimi Hendrix and captivated the Rolling Stones. An orphan from Cleveland, middleweight boxing champ and veteran of 52nd Street jazz gigs, Jalacy Jay Hawkins stirred African roots, shards of desperation, a measure of vaudeville and the poison of extreme possessiveness into a bubbling cauldron. Banned from radio as “cannibalistic,” OKeh had to promise jobs for jocks who were fired for playing the devilish handiwork. Putting voodoo on stage, Screamin’ Jay gave the unmitigated scream a future in rock and soul.

(J. Hawkins); Orchestra under the direction of Leroy Kirkland; Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, lead vocal; Sam (The Man) Taylor, saxophone; Jimmy Shirley, guitar; Ernie Hayes, piano; Lloyd Trotman, bass; David (Panama) Francis, drums; Rec. New York, September 12, 1956. OKeh single 7072; Originally Released 1956

I Put A Spell On You by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins