Dizzy, Miss Lizzy - cuthbert covers Larry Williams for 50s R&R Fest

[cuthbert]

Well now, this is being posted embarrassingly late...  

Here's my cover of Larry Williams' "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy", which was originally released on the Specialty label back in 1958. I began recording my version back toward the end of May, then went away for a week on business, and when I got back I had the pleasure of living through a roofing job for most of the month of June (never again), so there were quite a few delays in finishing up. I thought I'd be done with it the first week or two of July, but work claimed more of my time, so...

Larry Williams

I first heard this song in the early 80s in the Beatles more famous cover from 1965, as well as discovering their covers of Larry's "Slow Down" and "Bad Boy". In the past year or so, I've become a major fan of Larry Williams. He was originally signed to the Specialty label as a Little Richard replacement (Little Richard went into the ministry and stopped recording for a while). Larry wrote most of his own songs, including this one. One criticism I've read recently is that "Dizzy, Miss Lizzy" was essentially a remake of Little Richard's "Good Golly, Miss Molly", but apart from the lyrical focus on a fantastic chick, I really don't hear that much similarity.

Oh, and it should be mentioned that LW was a bad motorscooter, too. Some of his bad behavior affected his musical career for the worse, unfortunately. There is some interesting reading out there on the interwebs if you're interested.

Anyway, this was a bit harder to do than its "easy" riff and three simple seventh chords let on originally. I think it sounds a lot more like an all-acoustic version of the Beatles version than the original song, but I used more of Larry's vocal mannerisms than John Lennon's for my cover.

Oh, and this recording marks my first use of Automatic Double Tracking (as used by the Beatles at Abbey Road), using the Reel ADT plug-in from Waves. It's got an amazing UI for a plug-in:

Lots of knobs to twist...

If you're interested in the plug-in, more info is available here: http://www.waves.com/plugins/reel-adt#butch-vig-billy-bush-reel-adt  I bought it on sale for $99 a few months ago and it appears here on the vocal and guitar lead tracks. I think it added some nice thickness, and I'll be using it more.  

Thanks for listening,
cuthbert

Dizzy, Miss Lizzy
Larry Williams

performed by: cuthbert
instruments used:
Wishnevsky Blues Dawg (acoustic) on lead and chord tracks
No-name acoustic with Nashville tuning, banging out one track of chords. Might be vintage 50s?
TV Pal ukulele (red-swirl plastic, deffo vintage 1950s - had to use this again for 50s Rock & Roll Fest)
Maracas, egg shaker, and tambourine

recorder: BOSS Micro-BR

Mixed and mastered in Adobe Audition

[Blooby]

That plug-in sounds especially good on the vocals, and the tune is joyous. Larry Williams looks too cool in that picture.

Blooby

[Hilary]

Well anything you do is fantastic but this one is particularly fine!

[Groundy]

Always loved this song Cuthbert,
And you have certainly done it justice...
Well done....

Alex

[Hook]

Excellent brother, such a chill, bluesy version, yet so full of soul. Worth the wait.
Rock on!

[kenny mac]

My this sounds so retro,you've got your recording here down to a t.
Excellent rendition and great plug in.
You've got me interested now in this dude,I'm going to check him out.
bravo.

[Farrell Jackson]

Fantastic Cuthbert! This sounds like it was really recorded in the fifties. The auto double track sounds great on both the lead guitar and vocal. The Nashville tuning and uke add a good sparkle to the music. Nice one!

Farrell

[Redler]

Wow! Top class! As always!!

Fantastic performance and great recording! Sounds to a recording from the 50's, but on same time very bright and dynamic! That automatic double tracking puts nice effect on this!

My toe is tapping on the floor!

[ODH]

Excellent, beautifully recorded and performed and I love those little attention-to-detail touches.  Sounded like a Zeppelin track to my ears.

 

[Geir]

What the other guys said!

This sounds really fantastic.

Like you I discovered LWs songs through the Beatles. But this song has always been a favorite of mine of their covers.

And you did a great job capturing the soul of the song.

Great work as always my friend!