Bad Penny Blues

Infobox Single
Name = Bad Penny Blues


Artist = Humphrey Lyttelton And His Band
from Album =
B-side = Close Your Eyes
Released = 1956
Format = 10" 78 rpm Single + 7" 45 rpm Single
Recorded = April 20, 1956, IBC Studios, London
Genre = trad jazz
Length =
Label = Parlophone ER 4184
Writer = Humphrey Lyttelton
Producer = Joe Meek for Denis Preston
Certification =
Last single =
This single =
Next single =

"Bad Penny Blues" is a trad jazz piece written by Humphrey Lyttelton and recorded with his band in London on April 20, 1956.

Popular success

It was originally released as Parlophone ER 4184 and became a 'hit record' in Britain at the time.

It was the first British jazz record to get into the Top Twenty, and stayed there for six weeks. Its success was very much due to the very catchy piano riff, played by Johnny Parker and brought to front by producer Joe Meek.

Official producer of the record was Denis Preston, who employed Meek as engineer. George Martin was head A&R man of Parlophone at that time, but was not involved in the actual recording.

It later inspired Paul McCartney's piano part in the Beatles' song "Lady Madonna".

"Bad Penny Blues" was featured in Mike Figgis' film "Red, White & Blues" and is on the soundtrack CD of that film.

Personnel

Humphrey Lyttelton (trumpet, leader); Johnny Parker (piano); Jim Bray (bass); Stan Greig (drums)

External links

* [http://www.cool78s.com/Cool_200511.html http://www.cool78s.com/Cool_200511.html]