MARCH 28, 2011

THE LONDON AMERICAN LABEL
YEAR BY YEAR: 1963
(ACE CDCHD 1302)
Shirley Ellis:
The Nitty Gritty (Super Mono) 2:14
London American HLR 9824

May 31, 2010

GREAT GOOGLY MOO
AND MORE UNDISPUTED TRUTHS
(ACE CDCHD 1256)
Shirley Ellis:
Ka Ta Ga Ta Boom Beat (Stereo) 2:34
Previously Unreleased
Congress Master K-9309
Recorded July 7, 1965
Produced And Arranged
by Charles Calello

Shirley Ellis'
The Clapping Song
(Clap Pat Clap Slap)
on
ABC-TV's
Dancing With The Stars
w/ Lil' Kim
April 20 and 21, 2009

October 12, 2003
Lil' Kim guest-starred as Shirley Ellis
singing The Clapping Song
(Clap Pat Clap Slap)
on the TV show
American Dreams - see the video

20 May 2008
Daily Variety

Music publisher Al Gallico, a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, died of cardiac arrest, secondary to pulmonary disease, May 15 in Los Angeles. He was 88. Services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 21, at Forest Lawn, 6300 Forest Lawn Dr. Los Angeles in the North Chapel. Gallico began in 1938 as an errand boy for the G. Schirmer Publishing Company in New York, before joining Lou Levy's Leeds Music in 1939 as a song-plugger. In 1953, he became the general manager for music publisher Shapiro-Bernstein, running the company's New York and Nashville offices. Among the hits he was involved with were Claude King's "Wolverton Mountain" and Johnny Cash's "Ring Of Fire." In 1963, he started his own company, Al Gallico Music Corporation, with offices in New York and Nashville, and continued his success with the song "House of the Rising Sun" and other British imports. He also signed songwriter Billy Sherrill, who amassed 89 top song awards from BMI. Gallico and Sherrill eventually became business partners in Algee Music. Other hits from his catalogue include "Stand By Your Man," "The Name Game," "The Most Beautiful Girl," "Let Me Be There," the Zombies' "Time Of The Season" and Cat Stevens' "Here Comes My Baby." In 1995, he was inducted into The Songwriters Hall Of Fame when he received the Abe Olman Publisher's Award. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Grace; two daughters; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Not Our Shirley!

SHIRL-EE MAY
(Shirlee Ellis Amos)

With Orchestra Conducted by Jerry Kennedy
& The Merry Melody Singers
Nashville March 1962

23749 PS 2983 Your Cheatin' Heart
23750 PS 2984 Lonely Birthday Mercury 71969
23751 PS 2985 Little Sally Water Mercury 71969

http://shirleemay.com/

SHIRLEY ELLIS
THE COMPLETE CONGRESS RECORDINGS
Connoisseur Collection VSOP CD 340 (60:56)
Released March 26, 2001
Out Of Print
As Of November 2004
Check For Used Copies

01. THE NITTY GRITTY
 ~ Congress Single CG 202
 Billboard Pop #8
 Cash Box Pop #7
 CB R&B #4
 (Crowd) 2:15

02. GIVE ME A LIST
~ Congress Single CG 202 B
 (1:53)

03. (That's) WHAT THE NITTY GRITTY IS
~ Congress Single CG 208
 BB Pop #72
CB Pop #70
 CB R&B #14
 (Crowd) 2:32

04. GET OUT
~ Congress Single CG 208 B
 (Crowd) 2:24

05. SHY ONE
 ~ Congress Single CG 210
BB Pop #130
CB R&B #43
STEREO
 2:35

06. TAKIN' CARE OF BUSINESS
~ Congress Single CG 210 B
(Crowd) 2:19

07. SUCH A NIGHT
~ Congress Single CG 221
(Crowd) 2:30

08. BRING IT ON HOME TO ME
~ Congress Single CG 221 B
(Crowd) 2:33

09. THE NAME GAME
~ Congress Single CG 230
 BB Pop #3
BB R&B #4
CB Pop #3
CB R&B #5
STEREO
2:42

10. WHISPER TO ME WIND
~ Congress Single CG 230 B
STEREO
2:24

11. THE CLAPPING SONG
(Clap Pat Clap Slap)
~ Congress Single CG 234
BB Pop #8
BB R&B #16
CB Pop #7
(2:47)

12. THIS IS BEAUTIFUL
~ Congress Single CG 234 B
(2:16)

13. THE PUZZLE SONG
(A Puzzle In Song)
~ Congress Single CG 238
BB Pop #78
CB Pop #69
(2:14)

14. I SEE IT, I LIKE IT, I WANT IT
~ Congress Single CG 238 B
(2:37)

15. I NEVER WILL FORGET
~ Congress Single CG 246 B
(2:36)

16. I TOLD YOU SO
~ Congress Single CG 246
STEREO
2:29

17. ONE SOUR NOTE
~ Congress Single CG 251 B
(2:18) {- 0:06}

18. YOU BETTER BE GOOD, WORLD
~ Congress Single CG 251
(2:54)

19. STARDUST
~ Congress Single CG 260 B
(Crowd) 2:49

20. EVER SEE A DIVER KISS HIS WIFE
(While The Bubbles Bounce About
 Above The Water)
~ Congress Single CG 260
BB Pop #135
 STEREO
2:33

21. DON'T LET GO
~ Congress LP CGL 3002
 (Crowd) 2:54

22. KANSAS CITY
~ Congress LP CGL 3002
 (Crowd) 2:25

23. C.C.RIDER
~ Congress LP CGL 3002
 (Crowd) 2:34

24. STAGGER LEE
~ Congress LP CGL 3002
(Crowd) 2:24

Connoisseur Collection CD
Liner Notes by
Malcolm Baumgart & Mick Patrick

Connoisseur Collection
CD Sequence
by Master Number
01, 02,
 03, 04,
24, 22, 06, 23, 21, 08, 19, 07, 05,
15, 09, 10,
11, 12,
13, 14,
16,
17, 18,
20

THE BEST OF SHRLEY ELLIS
Pavillion PCD-71450, 2006 (78:48)
01. A Beautiful Love
02. Love Can Make You Know
03. The Nitty Gritty
04. (That's) What The Nitty Gritty Is
05. Shy One
06. Takin' Care Of Business
07. Such A Night
08. Bring It On Home To Me
09. The Name Game
10. Whisper To Me Wind
11. The Clapping Song
(Clap Pat, Clap Slap)
12. This Is Beautiful
13. The Puzzle Song
(A Puzzle In Song)
14. I See It, I Like It, I Want It
15. I Told You So
16. I Never Will Forget
17. You Better Be Good, World
(Stereo w/ Hydrogen Blast & Bells)
18. One Sour Note (Stereo)
19. Ever See A Diver Kiss His Wife
(While The Bubbles Bounce About
Above The Water)
20. Birds, Bees, Cupids And Bows
21. Truly, Truly, Truly
22. Soul Time
23. Waitin'
24. Sugar, Let's Shing A Ling
25. How Lonely Is Lonely
26. Back Track
27. It Must Be Love
28. Yes, I'm Ready
29. Music And Memories
30. To Be Or Not To Be

---

SHIRLEY ELLIS
TARAGON CD LINER NOTES (1995)
by Harry Young

By the time of "The Name Game," Shirley Ellis had been an accomplished songwriter for more than a decade. She was a veteran of the 1950's Doo-Wop & Calypso explosions,
a seasoned performer and a consummate artist
of incredible versatility.

Shirley Ellis (Shirley Marie Elliston) was raised in the Bronx, NY. Early on, Shirley won an Amateur Night competition at the Apollo Theater and performed with the Metronomes.

Her first song writing copyrights were registered in June 1954. The Chords (aka The Sh-Booms) cut Shirley's "Pretty Wild" (Cat 117) & "Lu-Lu" (unreleased) in February 1955. The group did a second version of "Lu-Lu" in August 1957 (Vik 0295, also on the various artists CD Rock 'N' Roll Party, Volume 2, RCA 9758-2-R, 1989). The Heartbreakers, managed by Alphonso Elliston, cut Shirley's "One, Two I Love You" in January 1957 (Vik 0261).

In 1959, Shirley met Lincoln R. Chase (b. June 29, 1926-
d. October 6, 1980).  Lincoln became Shirley's manager, producer and song writing partner.

Contrary to many published accounts, Shirley was never married to Lincoln Chase! (Alphonso Elliston, 1994: "I am Shirley Ellis' husband. Lincoln Chase is not her husband and has never been her husband.")

In December 1951, while enrolled at NYC's American Academy of Music, Lincoln Chase signed with Decca ("Loved One," 1952 & "I'll Never Stop Loving You," 1953).

Although Chase recorded for RCA ("The Vulture Song," February 1953), Dawn (4 singles, 1956-57), Vik (no releases, March 1957), Liberty (1957: "Johnny Klingeringding" & The Explosive Lincoln Chase LP), Columbia (1955 & 1960-61), Swan ("Sweet Torture," September 1962) & Paramount (the Lincoln Chase 'N' You LP, November 1973), he was best known as a prolific songwriter: "Such A Night" by Clyde McPhatter & the Drifters (November 1953), Johnnie Ray (February 1954) & Elvis Presley (recorded April 1960, released July 1964); "Jim Dandy" by LaVern Baker (December 1956) & Black Oak Arkansas (December 1973); "Jim Dandy Got Married" by LaVern Baker (May 1957); "Batman To The Rescue" by LaVern Baker (July 1966); "That's All I Need" by LaVern Baker (December 1956); "Rain Down Rain" by Big Maybelle (November 1952); "Salty Tears" by Chuck Willis (November 1952); "Mend Your Ways" by Ruth Brown (May 1953); "Please Don't Freeze" by Ruth Brown (July 1954); "She Makes Me Mad" by George Benson (June 1954)& "Rock, Moan And Cry" by the Playboys (August 1954).

Billboard
February 21, 2004

'SLOW' GOING: The new occupant of pole position on The Billboard Hot 100 is "Slow Jamz" by Twista Featuring Kanye West & Jamie Foxx. It's the first chart-topper for Twista, West and Foxx, but hardly the first for songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

Before "Jamz" moved to the head of the class, Bacharach ranked No. 30 on the list of songwriters with the longest span of rock-era No. 1s. He and David are now tied for third place with an expanse of 35 years and eight months between "This Guy's in Love With You" by Herb Alpert in 1968 and "Slow Jamz."

The only songwriters with longer spans of No. 1 hits are LINCOLN CHASE and Bob Crewe. LINCOLN CHASE was credited on Bert Kaempfert's "Wonderland By Night" in January 1961 as well as Mariah Carey & Jay-Z's "Heartbreaker" in October 1999.

 Wonderland By Night
w Lincoln Chase, m Klaus-Gunter Neumann
Additional Title:   Wunderland bei Nacht
Original Registration Date: 14Nov60

HEARTBREAKER  
Published:  2Nov99
Registered:  2May00
Performed by Mariah Carey
On:  Rainbow (Columbia CK 63800)
Prev. reg. as Attack Of The Name Game
Composers
CAREY, MARIAH
CARTER, SHAWN C
CHASE, LINCOLN
COHEN, JEFFREY E
ELLISTON, SHIRLEY
WALDEN, NARADA MICHAEL

Shirley Elliston's first vocal recording was "Love Can Make You Know" / "A Beautiful Love" (Shell 307, 1961). Both sides were tender ballads penned and produced by Chase.

In September 1963, Chase and Elliston struck a long-term publishing deal with Al Gallico Music, 101 W. 55th St., NYC. In 1952, Gallico had published "Follow Me" written by Chase, Charlie Singleton & Alphonso's cousin,
Alicia Carolyn Evelyn (b. 1927).

In short order, Dave Kapp signed the newly christened
"Shirley Ellis" to the Kapp subsidiary label, Congress Records. Soon, the riotous "Nitty Gritty" shot into Billboard's Top 10.I

Regarding Shirley's follow-up, "(That's What) The Nitty Gritty Is," Billboard: "Side has compulsive beat, big brass, a shoutin', stompin' sound, and Shirley wails up a storm."
Chase also composed a song entitled
"They Put The Nitty Gritty In The Dictionary."

The Nitty Gritty:
"The very core of something; the hard unvarnished facts."
"One of the very few pieces of original pop music slang."
-- Dictionary Of Slang And Unconventional English.

"Get Out," the jazzy 'B' side of "(That's) What The Nitty Gritty Is," was completely reworked by Bob Kuban and the In-Men on the Look Out For The Cheater LP (1966).

From December 12, 1964 through June 26, 1965, Shirley Ellis dominated Billboard's charts with "The Name Game" (#3), "The Clapping Song" (#8) and the hypnotic "Puzzle Song" (#78).

Billboard on "The Name Game":
 " 'Nitty Gritty' gal should crash all barriers with this one.
Lyric gimmick is a grabber. Beat is a shaker!"

As Shirley told Melody Maker,
"I got 'The Name Game' from a game I used to play
when I was a child. Lincoln put it into song form."

"The Name Game" Rules:

1. Say The Name twice (Name Name)
2. Say "Bo" & say The Name again,
but replace the first letter with "B" (Bo Bame)
3. Say "Banana Fanna Fo" & say The Name again, but replace the first letter with "F" (Banana Fanna Fo Fame)
4. Say "Fee Fi Mo" & say The Name again, but replace the first letter with "M" (Fee Fi Mo Mame)
5. Say The Name again (Name).

The "Contrary" rule:
If The Name begins with "B," "F" or "M,"
such as Bob, Fred or Marsha,
say at #2 (for Bob) Bo-ob,
at #3 (for Fred)
Banana Fanna Fo-red
and at #4 (for Marsha)
Fee Fi Mo-arsha.

Still, the first letter of The Name is NOT always treated
 "like it wasn't there" (Arnold Arnold Bo Barnold),
the first TWO letters of The Name can disappear
(Shirley Shirley Bo Birley), and there are plenty of Names that can't (or shouldn't) be rhymed (Ticonderoga).

Shirley Ellis Name Gamed the word "Hullabaloo" on that TV show and was a guest on American Bandstand and Merv Griffin. On Shindig, she sang "Gonna Mess Up A Good Thing" with Jackie Wilson (uncredited on video release).

On July 20, 1965, Shirley Ellis opened at NYC's Basin Street East, backed by Lincoln Chase on piano and Mitch Ryder's Detroit Wheels. Billboard: "The bouncy, vivacious Miss Ellis was extremely effective in her personable delivery. She is a dynamic personality who readily communicates with her audience."

Shirley's West Indian ancestry found full expression in the underrated masterpiece "Ever See A Diver Kiss His Wife While The Bubbles Bounce About Above The Water." Like "The Nitty Gritty(s)," "Diver" featured resonant vocals by Lincoln Chase.

Promoting "Diver," Shirley appeared on TV's
Hollywood A Go Go, Ninth Street West, Lloyd Thaxton,
Hollywood Discotheque, Where The Action Is and
even the daytime drama Never Too Young.

Shirley Ellis signed with Columbia Records in August 1966. Highlights of her Columbia tenure included "Soul Time" (Billboard: #67), "Sugar, Let's Shing-A-Ling"
and a reworking of Lou Christie's MGM "Back Track."

In May 1968, after an unproductive switch to Bell Records, Shirley Ellis retired from show business. (See very bottom of this page for 1968 Shirley Ellis / Bell Cash Box articles.)

In 1969, Ricardo Ray and Gladys Knight & The Pips cut "The Nitty Gritty." In 1972, Gary Glitter covered "The Clapping Song." In 1978, Shirley's original "Clapping Song" hit #59 in England, inspiring chart versions by Pia Zadora and
The Belle Stars (1982).

"The Name Game" was showcased in the Off-Broadway musical Beehive (1986) and the films My Girl (1991), Radio Flyer (Original Score: Big Screen/Giant CD 24454-2, 1992) and Flawless (Motion Picture Soundtrack CD Jellybean Recordings JBR-5014-2, January 25, 2000).

"The Nitty Gritty" even appeared in the films
Dogfight (1991) and Grace Of My Heart (1996):

Billboard, November 9, 1996
Because of the wide range of songsmiths involved, the "Grace" copyrights are in the hands of a variety of publishers. However, one company, Irving/Almo, is involved with five of the 15 titles that appear on the MCA Records soundtrack. The movie (although not the MCA album) also includes one or two familiar songs, such as Cynthia Strother's "Bermuda" (a hit for the Bell Sisters in 1952) and Lincoln Chase's
 "The Nitty Gritty" (a Shirley Ellis success in 1964).

Sunday, October 12, 2003
Lil Kim Guest Starred As
Shirley Ellis Singing
"The Clapping Song (Clap Pat Clap Slap)" on
NBC TV's American Dreams.

"The Shirley Ellis Sound" will live forever.
And that's the Name of the Game.

SHIRLEY ELLIS
TRACK ANNOTATION
by HARRY YOUNG 

A Beautiful Love 
(Lincoln Chase)  2:36 
Words & Music Copyright June 26, 1961 
Master HS 528 
Recorded 1961 
Shell single 45-307-V 
Billboard review August 14, 1961 
Cash Box review August 19, 1961 
L.C.P.E. Inc Production 

Love Can Make You Know 
(Lincoln Chase)  2:38 
Words & Music Copyright June 26, 1961 
Master HS 529 
Recorded 1961 
Shell single 45-307-V 
L.C.P.E. Inc Production 

The Nitty Gritty 
(Lincoln Chase)  2:12 
Words & Music Copyright October 1, 1963 
Master K-7278 
Recorded September 13, 1963 
Congress single CG 202 
Released October 1963 
Not reviewed in Billboard
Ent BB Bubbling Under November 9, 1963 
BB Pop #8 
CB Pop #7  CB R&B #4 
Produced & Arranged by Hutch Davie
 with the Hutch Davie Orchestra 
Kapp single KJB-70 
Released November 22, 1966 
MCA single 60024 
Released October 15, 1973 

Give Me A List 
(Shirley Elliston-Lincoln Chase)  1:52 
Words & Music Copyright October 1, 1963 
Master K-7279 
Recorded September 13, 1963 
Congress single CG 202 (B) 
Produced & Arranged by Hutch Davie
 with the Hutch Davie Orchestra 

(That's) What The Nitty Gritty Is 
(Lincoln Chase)  2:31 
Words & Music Copyright January 30, 1964 
Master K-8027 
Recorded January 22, 1964 
Congress single CG 208 
Billboard review February 15, 1964 
BB Pop #72  CB Pop #70  CB R&B #14 
Produced & Arranged by Hutch Davie with the
Hutch Davie Orchestra featuring Jim Dandy 

Get Out 
(Lincoln Chase)  2:21 
Words & Music Copyright January 30, 1964 
Master K-8028 
Recorded January 22, 1964 
Congress single CG 208 (B) 
Produced & Arranged by Hutch Davie
with the Hutch Davie Orchestra 

Stagger Lee 
(Harold Logan-Lloyd Price)  2:11
Words & Music Copyright November 3, 1958 
Master K-8073 
Recorded February 27, 1964 
Produced by Hutch Davie 
Arranged by Stan Green 

Kansas City 
(Jerry Lieber-Mike Stoller)  2:12 
Words & Music Copyright April 1, 1959 
Master K-8074 
Recorded February 27, 1964 
Produced by Hutch Davie 
Arranged by Stan Green 

Takin' Care Of Business 
(Lincoln Chase) 2:19 
Words & Music Copyright March 20, 1964 
Master K-8075 
Recorded February 26, 1964 
Congress single CG 210(B) 
Produced & Arranged by Hutch Davie 
Kapp single KJB-71 (B) 

C.C. Rider 
(Chuck Willis)  2:31 
Words & Music Copyright March 13, 1957 
Master K-8076 
Recorded February 27, 1964 
Produced by Hutch Davie 
Arranged by Stan Green 

Don't Let Go 
(Jesse Stone)  2:46 
Words & Music Copyright December 11, 1957 
Master K-8077 
Recorded February 25, 1964 
Produced by Hutch Davie 
Arranged by Stan Green 

Bring It On Home To Me 
(Sam Cooke)  2:00 
Words & Music Copyright September 17, 1962
Master K-8078 
Recorded February 25, 1964 
Congress single CG 221 (B)
Produced by Hutch Davie 
Arranged by Stan Green 

Stardust
(Hoagy Carmichael-Mitchell Parish)  2:46 
Words & Music Copyright 1929
Master K-8079 
Recorded February 25, 1964 
Congress single CG 260 (B) 
Produced by Hutch Davie 
Arranged by Stan Green

Such A Night 
(Lincoln Chase)  2:19 
Words & Music Copyright November 18, 1953 
Master K-8080 
Recorded February 25, 1964 
Congress single CG 221 
Not reviewed in Billboard 
Probably released May / June 1964 
Produced by Hutch Davie 
Arranged by Stan Green

Shy One 
(Shirley Ellis-Lincoln Chase-Tony Hornedo)  2:37 
Words & Music Copyright March 20, 1964 
Master K-8081 
Recorded February 25, 1964 
Congress single CG 210 
Billboard review April 11, 1964
Cash Box ad April 25, 1964 
BB Pop #130  CB R&B #43 
Produced & Arranged by Hutch Davie 
Kapp single KJB-71 
Released November 22, 1966 
Rocky Mountain Productions single R.M. 1100 (B) 

I Never Will Forget 
(Lincoln Chase)  2:25 
Words & Music Copyright January 18, 1965 
Master K-8642 
Recorded November 12, 1964 
Congress single CG 246 (B) 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello
Directed by Lincoln Chase, Inc.

The Name Game 
(Shirley Elliston-Lincoln Chase)  2:57 
Words & Music Copyright November 18, 1964 
Master K-8643 
Recorded November 12, 1964 
Congress single CG 230 
Billboard review November 28, 1964 
Variety review November 25, 1964 
BB Pop #3  BB R&B  #4 
CB Pop #3  CB R&B #5 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 
Kapp single KJB-70 
Released November 22, 1966 
MCA single 60024 
Released October 15, 1973 

Whisper To Me Wind 
(Lincoln Chase-Tony Hornedo)  2:21 
Words & Music Copyright November 23, 1964 
Master K-8644 
Recorded November 12, 1964 
Congress single CG 230 (B) 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 

The Clapping Song (Clap Pat Clap Slap) 
(Lincoln Chase) 
Words & Music Copyright March 3, 1965 
Master K-9017 
Recorded February 19, 1965
Congress single CG 234 
Billboard review March 13, 1965 
BB Pop #8  BB R&B # 16 
CB Pop #7 
NME #4  Record Retailer #6 (1965) & #59 (1978) 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 
MCA single 40135 
Released 1973 

This Is Beautiful 
(Lincoln Chase) 
Words & Music Copyright March 15, 1965 
Master K-9018 
Recorded February 19, 1965 
Congress single CG 234 (B) 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 
MCA single 40135 (B) 
Released 1973 

The Puzzle Song (A Puzzle In Song) 
(Lincoln Chase)  2:18 
Words & Music Copyright May 10, 1965 
Master K-9110 
Recorded April 29, 1965 
Congress single CG 238 
Billboard review May 22, 1965 
BB Pop #78 
CB Pop #69 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello
Directed by Lincoln Chase, Inc.

I See It, I Like It, I Want It 
(Lincoln Chase)  2:38 
Words & Music Copyright May 10, 1965 
Master K-9111
Recorded April 29, 1965 
Congress single CG 238 (B) 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 
Directed by Lincoln Chase, Inc.

I Told You So 
(Lincoln Chase)  2:28 
Words & Music Copyright July 22, 1965 
Master K-9308 
Recorded July 7, 1965 
Congress single CG 246 
Billboard review July 31, 1965 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 
Directed by Lincoln Chase, Inc. 

Ka Ta Ga Ta Boom Beat 
Previously Unreleased
(Lincoln Chase) 
Words & Music Copyright ? 
Master K-9309 
Recorded July 7, 1965 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 

One Sour Note 
(Lincoln Chase)  2:17 
Words & Music Copyright November 22, 1965 
Master K-9661 
Recorded October 11, 1965 
Congress single CG 251 (B) 
Produced by Neil Galligan, Hutch Davie &
Lincoln Chase for Lincoln Chase, Inc.
 Arranged by Hutch Davie & Lincoln Chase 

You Better Be Good, World 
(Lincoln Chase)  2:57 
Words & Music Copyright October 29, 1965 
Master K-9662 
Recorded October 11, 1965 
Congress single CG 251 
Billboard review October 30, 1965 
Produced by Neil Galligan, Hutch Davie &
Lincoln Chase for Lincoln Chase, Inc. 
Arranged by Hutch Davie & Lincoln Chase 

Ever See A Diver Kiss His Wife
(While The Bubbles Bounce About Above The Water) 
(Shirley Elliston-Lincoln Chase)  2:30 
Words & Music Copyright
January 21, 1966 & March 29, 1966 
Master K-9880 
Recorded December 30, 1965 
Congress single CG 260 
Billboard review January 15, 1966 
BB Pop #135 
Produced by Neil Galligan, Hutch Davie &
Lincoln Chase for Lincoln Chase, Inc.
 Arranged by Hutch Davie & Lincoln Chase 

Birds, Bee, Cupids And Bows 
(Lincoln Chase) 2:43 
Words & Music Copyright October 19, 1966 
Master JZSP 115925 
Recorded August 30, 1966 
Columbia single 4-43829 
Billboard review October 22, 1966 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 

Truly, Truly, Truly 
(Lincoln Chase) 2:31 
Words & Music Copyright October 17, 1966 
Master JZSP 115926 
Recorded October 17, 1966 
Columbia single 4-43829 (B) 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 

Soul Time 
(Shirley Elliston)  2:37 
Words & Music Copyright
February 6, 1967 & March 10, 1967 
Master JZSP 117470 
Recorded December 1966 and January 16, 1967 
Columbia single 4-44021 
Billboard review February 4, 1967 
BB Pop #67  BB R&B #31 
CB Pop #67  CB R&B #25 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 

Waitin' 
(Shirley Elliston) 2:25 
Words & Music Copyright February 6, 1967 & April 19, 1967 
Master JZSP 117469 
Recorded January 16, 1967 
Columbia single 4-44021 (B) 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 

Sugar, Let's Shing-A-Ling 
(Shirley Elliston-
Sampson Horton-Rosemarie McCoy-
Charles Singleton)  2:48 
Words & Music Copyright May 10, 1967 
Master JZSP 11858 
Recorded April 30, 1967 
Columbia single 4-44137 
Billboard & Cash Box reviews May 20, 1967 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 

How Lonely Is Lonely 
(Frank Catana-Charles Singleton)  3:32 
Words & Music Copyright June 15, 1967 
Master JZSP 11859 
Recorded March 22, 1967 
Columbia single 4-44137 (B) 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 

It Must Be Love 
(Shirley Elliston) 
Words & Music Copyright
June 16, 1954 & July 12, 1967 
Master
Recorded April 30, 1967 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 

Back Track 
(Lou Christie-Twyla Herbert) 
Words & Music Copyright May 20, 1965 
Master
Recorded April 30, 1967 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 

Yes I'm Ready 
(Barbara Mason) 
Words & Music Copyright March 31, 1965 
Master
Recorded 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 

Music And Memories 
(Charles Singleton-Bert Keyes) 
Words & Music Copyright
September 21, 1966 & December 16, 1966 
Master 
Recorded
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 

To Be Or Not To Be 
(Shirley Elliston) 
Words & Music Copyright July 12, 1967 
Master 
Recorded 
Produced & Arranged by Charles Calello 

ALBUMS / EP: 

Shirley Ellis In Action 
Congress album CGL 3002 
Not reviewed in  Billboard
Cover photo used in 'Shy One' ad,
Cash box April 25, 1964 
WKNR Key LP June  18, 1964 

The Name Game 
Congress album CGL 3003
Billboard review January 30, 1965 
Variety review January 20, 1965 
CB Pop #83 

V / A Shindig
Kapp album KL / KS 1431
 ("The Nitty Gritty," "The Name Game") 
Billboard review March 27, 1965 

Sugar, Let's Shing-A-Ling;
Soul Time With Shirley Ellis
Columbia album CS 9479
Cash Box review June 10, 1967 
Billboard review June 24, 1967 

V / A Golden Soul, Volume 1
Kapp album KS 3643
("The Nitty Gritty" & "The Name Game" in
Stereo) 
Billboard February 6, 1971

The Name Game
MCA Special Products cassette MCAC 20452
 dpub March 28, 1988
dreg April 26, 1988 
The Name Game (Stereo, single length),
 The Clapping Song (Mono),
 The Puzzle Song (Mono),
This Is Beautiful (Mono),
 Bring It On Home To Me
 (Mono no crowd),
 Kansas City (Mono with crowd),
Stagger Lee (Mono with  crowd),
 C.C. Rider (Mono with crowd)

V / A  All Star Soul
Harmony HS 11400, 196? 
("Soul Time") 

UK MCA MCEP 1 (1978) Mono 
The Name Game /
The Nitty Gritty /
The Clapping Song /
Ever See A Diver 

V / A  Vintage Music Volume 7
MCA CD 31204 (1986)
 (The Name Game) Stereo 

V / A  Vintage Music Volume 8 
MCA LP 25026 (1986)
"The Nitty Gritty"
(clipped vocal, NO crowd) Stereo 

V / A  Billboard Top R&B Hits 1964 
Rhino R2 70650 (1989)
 "The Nitty Gritty"(original vocal, w/ crowd) Stereo 

The Very Best Of Shirley Ellis  (28:44) 
Taragon TARCD 1005
dpub March 28, 1995
dreg April 11, 1995 
 01. The Nitty Gritty (2:50) Stereo
 w/ crowd but clipped vocal @ 1:01
 just like crowd-free version on
 V / A Vintage Music Volume 8
MCA LP 25026 (1986)
 02. (That's) What The Nitty Gritty Is (2:50)
First Time Stereo
03. Shy One (2:34)
First Time Stereo
04. Bring It On Home To Me (2:39)
First Time Stereo
 05. The Name Game (Mega-mix) (4:37) Stereo
 06. Whisper To Me Wind (2:23)
First Time Stereo
07. The Clapping Song (Clap Pat, Clap Slap) (3:10)
 First Time Stereo
New @ 2:44-45 ("ON a little rowboat")
New chant @ 2:58-3:10
08. The Puzzle Song (A Puzzle In Song) (2:23)
First Time Stereo
09. I Told You So (2:35)
First Time Stereo w/ count-off
10. Ever See A Diver Kiss His Wife
(While The Bubbles Bounce About Above The Water?) (2:34)
 First Time Stereo

V / A  Early Girls, Vol. 1:
 Popsicles And Icicles
 Ace CDCHD 608 (October 17, 1995)
 ("The Name Game") Stereo  (2:59)

V  / A Teen Love & Heartbreak
Sony Music Special Products CD (27:31)
March 1996
"Birds, Bees, Cupids & Bows"
(STEREO)

V / A Only Dance 1960 - 1964
JCI / Essex JCD-3189, 1997
(Taragon 4:37 Stereo
"The Name Game" Mega-Mix)

V / A  Simon Burch; Music From the Motion Picture
  Epic / Sony Music Soundtrax EK 69576, 1998 
("The Nitty Gritty" Mono) 

V / A Soul Time Volume 1 (63:36)
UK Epic 488 840-2, 1998
("Soul Time")

V / A
Blow Up A-Go-Go!
Dance Floor Classics From The Legendary Blow Up Club
  UK V2 CD WR 1010542, November 15, 1999
("Soul Time" Stereo) 

V / A  Land Of 1,000 Dances
 Ace  CDCHD 702 (February 26, 1999)
 ("The Nitty Gritty" in best-ever Stereo)
 w/ crowd but w/out clipped vocal @ 1:01

Flawless Motion Picture Soundtrack CD
Jellybean Recordings JBR-5014-2,  January 25, 2000
 ("The Name Game") Stereo

V / A
You Can Count On Me!
City Soul Sound & Jazz Licks For Hipsters
German Brown Sugar CD BSR 1005-2, May 26, 2003
("Sugar, Let's Shing-A-Ling" Mono)

V / A
Because of Winn-Dixie
Original Motion Picture SoundtrackJanuary 25, 2005
[The Clapping Song (Clap Pat, Clap Slap)
3:10 Taragon Stereo Version
w/ New @ 2:44-45 ("ON a little rowboat")
New chant @ 2:58-3:10]

Shirley Ellis
Cover Versions
(Incomplete)

The Nitty Gritty by Ricardo Ray
Produced by Neil Galligan
Arranged by Hutch Davie
Alegre 4024

The Nitty Gritty
by Gladys Knight and the Pips 2:59

The Nitty Gritty
by Tommy Roe
on
Something For Everybody
ABC Paramount LP ABC 467
Produced by Felton Jarvis

The Name Game
by Dean Ford and the Gaylords 2:20
UK (EMI) Columbia DB 7610
Recorded May 5, 1965
Released June 18, 1965
V/A Beat At Abbey Road EMI CD 72438211352, 1997

The Name Game
by Laura  Branigan 4:10
 Touch Atlantic LP 81747-1, 1987

  The Name Game
by Divine 4:26
Wax Trax! 45 105021XA, 1980

The Name Game
~ Juego de Palabras
by Olivia Molina
16 Exitos de Rock, Peerless CD 145-4, 1991 (Mexico)

The Name Game
~ Le Jeu des Noms
French version as yet unattested

The Clapping Song
by Gary Glitter
Glitter, Bell LP 1108, Cash Box review October 7, 1972

The Clapping Song
by The Belle Stars 3:12
UK Stiff BUY 155, 1982

The Clapping Song
by Pia Zadora 3:23
Elektra 69889, 1982

The Name Game
by Lisa French
Current Hits Volume 27, HIT 27 (MA552), 1965

The Nitty Gritty - Something's Got A Hold On Me
by The Hollies (1964)
Mono & Stereo Versions on 
In The Hollies Style CD (58:32)
UK EMI 7243 8 56573 2 (1997)

Attack Of The Name Game
by Stacy Lattislaw
Cotillion 7-9968, Billboard review September 18, 1982
Billboard Pop peak #79 week ending October 23, 1982
Cash Box R&B peak #17
entered chart week ending September 25, 1982

Ready
by N-Toon Ready
Dreamworks CD single 0044-59036-2,
March 2000
Billboard R&B peak #64

The Name Game
by Velva Blu
on Barbie Girl
Groove CD 5052, 1997

The Name Game
by Tiny Toons
on Tiny Toons Sing!
WB CD 26899, 1992

The Name Game
by Taj Mahal-Linda Tillery-Eric Bob
on Shakin' A Tailfeather
Rhino CD R2-72940, 1997

The Name Game
by Sharon, Lois & Bram
on Sing A to Z
Elephant CD 25651-0310-2, 1991 &
Drive Entertainment CD 43214, 1995

The Name Game
by Joanie Bartels
on Sillytime Magic
Discovery CD 94404, 1994

The Name Game
by The Chenille Sisters
on The Big Picture & Other Songs For Kids
Red House CD 49, 1992

The Clapping Song
by Alvin Sykes
German Polydor single
w/ Picture Sleeve
b / w Marquee

The Name Game &
The Nitty Gritty
by Soupy Sales
on
Soupy Sales Sez
Do The Mouse
ABC Paramount LP
Laugh.com Mono CD LGH1123 (28:02)
2002
Produced & Arranged by
Charles Calello

The Nitty Gritty
by Dinah Lee
UK Aladdin single WI-606 B (1965)
Original New Zealand release unknown

The Nitty Gritty
by Jocelyne
French Polydor EP, 1964
V / A Femmes de Paris,
Anthology CD ANT 220123-3071992

El Monkey
(The Clapping Song)
by Las Hermanas Benitez
Spain Discophon EP 27481, 1966

The Clapping Song
by The Goldtones
Live At The Teenbeat Club In Las Vegas
LaBrea album L-8011

The Nitty Gritty
by Skeewiff
Cruise Control
Jalapeno Rekkids CD


The Nitty Gritty
by Skeewiff
on mix CD
Ursadelica
(Esl Music CD, November 2, 2004)
by Ursula1000

SHIRLEY ELLIS
COMPOSITIONS
1954 - 1956
by Harry Young

DON'T KID MY HEART
(Shirley Elliston)
Copyright June 16, 1954
Arranged by James Alexander Ghent, Jr

RECKLESS
(Shirley Elliston)
Copyright June 16, 1954
Arranged by Rupert Branker

WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE
(Shirley Elliston)
Copyright June 16, 1954
Arranged by Rupert Branker

Scott And Oaks
With Howard Biggs
And His Orchestra
IT WAS YOU
(Shirley Elliston - James Albright) 2:11
Copyright Progressive June 16, 1954
Master C-1401
Cat 78rpm single 113
Cat 45rpm single 45-113
Arranged by James Alexander Ghent, Jr

JOHNNY BLUE
(Shirley Elliston)
Copyright November 16, 1954
Arranged by James Alexander Ghent, Jr

WITHOUT YOU
(Shirley Elliston)
Copyright November 16, 1954
Arranged by James Alexander Ghent, Jr

YOU DON'T MOVE ME
(Shirley Elliston)
Copyright November 16, 1954
Arranged by James Alexander Ghent, Jr

The Sh-Booms
(Formerly The Chords)
PRETTY WILD
(Shirley Elliston) 2:35
Copyright Progressive November 16, 1954
Master C-1436
Recorded February 23, 1955
Could It Be
(Robert Spencer) 2:38
Copyright Progressive July 26, 1955
Master C-1327
Recorded October 13, 1954
Cat 78rpm single 117
Cat 45rpm single 45-117
Billboard review October 29, 1955
Billboard ad October 1955

The Chords
LU LU
(Shirley Elliston)
Copyright Acorn November 16, 1954
Master C-1435
Recorded February 23, 1955
Cat Unreleased

The Sh-Booms
LU LU
(Shirley Elliston) 2:18
Copyright Acorn November 16, 1954
Master H4PW-6184
I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire
(E. Seller - S. Marcus - B. Benjamin - E. Durham)
Copyright Charlo
Master H4PW-6183
Vik single 4X-0295
Variety review September 25, 1957
Billboard review September 30, 1957
Billboard ad October 1957
Arranged by Abie Baker
Recorded August 22, 1957 at RCA Studio A, NYC
Leader: Abie Baker
Guitar: Chuck Wayne, Al Casey, Kenny Burrell
Piano: Ernie Hayes
Tenor Sax: George Kelly
Drums: David Panama Francis
A&R: Bob Rolantz

The Sh-Booms
(Formerly The Chords)
PRETTY WILD
On
Various Artists
All Night Boogie:
The Great Atlantic Vocal Groups, Volume 2
Collectors Choice Music CD R2-7209, 1996
Compilation Produced by Bob Hyde

The Sh-Booms
(Formerly The Chords)
LU LU (Slow Version) 2:27 Stereo,
LU LU (Master) 2:08 Stereo,
PRETTY WILD (Take 27 & 28) 2:45
PRETTY WILD (Take 25 Master) 2:34
On
The Best Of The Chords
(Cat CCD 7000, 2005)

SOMETIME BABY
(Shirley Elliston)
Copyright July 26, 1955

SUGAR BOO
(Shirley Elliston)
Copyright July 26, 1955

The Heartbreakers
(Vocal Lead: Paul Himmelstein)
ONE, TWO, I LOVE YOU
(Shirley Elliston) 2:47
Copyright Oscar [ ]
Master H4PW-1330
Without A Cause
(Paul Himmelstein-Henry Eli)
Copyright Maureen
Master H4PW-1332
Vik single 4X-0261
Billboard review March 1957
Recorded January 29, 1957 at RCA Studio 1, NYC
Leader: Howard Biggs
Guitar: Skeeter Best
Bass: Thomas Barney
Piano: Dave Martin, Clarence Redd III
Baritone Sax: Heywood Henry
Tenor Sax: Count Hastings
Drums: David Panama Francis
A&R: Bob Rolantz

The Heartbreakers
(Lead: Paul Himmelstein)
MY LOVE
(Shirley Elliston) 2:15
Copyright Oscar June 26, 1956
Master H4PW-1331
Love You 'Til The Day I Die 2:46
(Bill Miller - Nancy Washington)
Copyright Shalimar
Master H4PW-1333
Vik single 4X-0299
Recorded January 29, 1957 at RCA Studio 1, NYC

The Sh-Booms LULU (Stereo),
Don't Be Mad At My Heart
(Stereo, Vik Previously Unreleased,
Same Credits As LULU) and
The Heartbreakers
Without A Cause
On
Rock 'N' Roll Party, Volume 2
(RCA CD 9758-2)
Published: December 5, 1989
Registered: December 22, 1989

TEN AGAIN
(Shirley Elliston)
Copyright November 27, 1956

Spectropop Recommends
Shirley Ellis

Shirley Ellis
Connoisseur Collection
 CD Press

The Journal, Bath UK
April 2001
MOJO
#91, June 2001
Billboard
June 2, 2001
Record Collector
No. 262, June 2001
Record Collector
No. 263, July 2001
In The Basement
No. 22, May - July 2001
Record Buyer & Music Collector
August 2001
The Retford Times, UK
August 2001
Blues & Soul Magazine
August 2001