While this discography lists all recordings known (or, in some cases, merely presumed) to have been made by Jimmy Drake, it certainly represents only the top of the tip of the iceberg of his prolific recording career. Also, because in certain cases he seems to have crossed the double-yellow line whereby his personal music would appear under the tag "Nervous Norvus" while his music-for-hire would be credited to "Singing Jimmy Drake," the categorizations we have assigned to those records is not necessarily as clear-cut as this list may make it appear.
Dot singles:
Dot 15470: Nervous Norvus -- Transfusion / Dig (both wr. Jimmy Drake) (May 1956)
Dot 15485: Nervous Norvus -- Ape Call ("ape calls: Red Blanchard") / Wild Dog[s] Of Kentucky (both wr. Jimmy Drake) (June 1956)
Dot 15500: Nervous Norvus and Red Blanchard & The Smogrollers -- The Fang / Nervous Norvus -- The Bullfrog Hop (both wr. Jimmy Drake) (September 1956)
Note: All three of Drake's Dot singles were also issued as 10" 78s, with same catalog numbers. The six Dot sides were collected on a 12" EP entitled Transfusion, released in 1985 by the English label Big Beat, a subsidiary of Ace. Additionally, "Transfusion" and, to a lesser degree, "Ape Call" and "Dig," have appeared on numerous compilations in varying formats and of varying degrees of legality. "The Fang" was included in a 2002 English compilation entitled Gimme Dat Harp Boy!: Roots Of The Captain (Ozit/Morpheus), the concept of which was (ostensible) influences on the music of Captain Beefheart.
A note on foreign pressings: While it is not within the mission of this page to catalogue all the foreign editions of Norvus' work, a couple items of particular interest have come to our attention. We have seen, for one, an Australian 78 of "Transfusion," on London. Most overseas editions of Dot records were lease deals with other labels, such as the aforementioned London for England, New Zealand and Australia and, for Canada, Quality. But we recently acquired a 1956 EP from Sweden on the Dot label proper, with "Transfusion" and "Dig" backing two tracks by jump blues-lite pianist Pat Flowers. This item is especially notable for its lovely picsleeve, shown at left.
mystery song:
Library of Congress database:
miscellaneous:
Contains: Transfusion / Dig / Ape Call / Wild Dogs Of Kentucky / The Fang / Bullfrog
Hop / Stoneage Woo / I Like Girls / Does A Chinese Chicken Have A Pigtail?
/ Noon Balloon To Rangoon / Kibble Kobble (The Flying Saucer Song) / The
Lean Green Vegetable Fiend (From Tuther Side Of The Moon) / Little Cowboy
/ The Blackout Song / Kangaroo Hop / I Listen To Red In Bed / Sparks (#1)
/ I Hate Bugs / The Clock Shop (#1) / I'm Waitin" Up For Santa Claus
/ Boris The Blue Nosed Baboon / When I Hear The Honkin' Of The Diesel
Train / Ape Call ("no ape") / The Bully Bully Man / Elvis You're A G.I.
Now / Stop Your Foolin / Pony-Tail / I'm Comin' Home My Baby / The New
Beat And Step / The Clock Shop (#2) / The Evil Hurricane / The Plaster
Song / Sparks (#2)
other "mass-produced" singles:
As-Is 100/101: Jimmy Drake -- The Orphan's Christmas Song (A. Rizzo & P. Rizzo) / That's Who (Pat Rizzo & Ed Burtis) (late 1956)
Big Ben 101: Nervous Norvus & His Guitar -- Let's Worship God Each Sunday / Pure Gold (both wr. Ed Morley) (1960)
Big Ben 1614: Nervous Norvus & His Guitar -- Does A Chinese [Chicken] Have A Pigtail? / Rod Barton; orchestra, The Lincolnaires -- Dear Old San Francisco (both wr. Ed Morley) (1961; presumably no Drake involvement on B-side)
Note: The lyrics to the A-side of the above record make it clear that the word "Chicken" is meant to be part of the title, yet it is omitted from the label text; some copies are stickered over with the correct title. The same record (with the correct title) was also released in England, as Salvo 1812. Based in London, Salvo was an early (c.1962) and brief-lived British independent label, most of whose releases were leased from American indies.
Bluemoon 108/109: Singing Jimmy Drake -- Stop Your Foolin / Across The Sea // My Crazy Heart / You Are My Inspiration (all wr. Frank Blood)
Claudra, number unknown: Jimmy Drake (poss. as Singing Jimmy Drake) -- Gambling Fury / Roger Smith -- Golden Yellow Moon (poss. just "Golden Moon") (c.1957; Drake side described as "country ballad"; presumably no Drake involvement on B-side)
Embee 117: Nervous Norvus, background music by Kenny Burts Cavemen -- Stoneage Woo (Jimmy Drake) / Nervous Norvus, music by Kenny Burts Cavemen -- I Like Girls (Harlan King) (Jan. 1959)
Embee 117/118: Nervous Norvus, background music by Kenny Burts Cavemen -- Stoneage Woo (Jimmy Drake) / The Plaster Song (Paul Barrett) (Jan. 1959)
Rally 10673/10674: Jimmy Drake -- He Loved Enough (Crawford-Smock) / Jimmy Drake -- Up In Heaven (Della & A.W. Crawford) // Jimmy Drake -- His Last Letter (Crawford-Smock) / Lee Davis -- I'll Always (Crawford-Schwab)
Vellez 1517: Jimmy Drake (vocal, instruments) -- Kibble Kobble (The Flying Saucer Song) (Brumbelow-McCrosson-Diltz-Corwin) / Jimmy Drake (with instruments) -- There's More To A Wedding (Louis-Brumbelow-McCrosson) (c.1962)
Vellez 1518: Jimmy Drake (vocal and instrumental) -- The Lean Green Vegetable Fiend (From 'Tuther Side Of The Moon) (McCrosson-Brumbelow-Spencer-Diltz) / Let's Face This World Together (Ethel Hiller) (c.1962)
Dot?: Nervous Norvus -- Hayseed Junction
Note: The back covers of sheet music editions of both "The Fang" and "Transfusion" make reference to three Nervous Norvus songs: "The Noon Balloon" [sic], "The Plaster Song" and "Hayseed Junction." The last page of music sheets was usually reserved for the promotion of upcoming releases; the former two titles are accounted for elsewhere in this discography, but this is the only known reference to the latter song.
acetate demos:
label unknown: Singing Jimmy Drake -- Old Barrel Cactus (John Mohler) (c.1956; possibly "mass produced")
Film City, unnumbered acetate: no artist credited -- Pony-Tail (Alice W. Federer)
Film City, unnumbered acetate: no artist credited -- Baby I Love You (Alice W. Federer)
Film City, unnumbered acetate: no artist credited -- I'm On My Way To Nashville, Tenn. (Alice W. Federer)
Film City, unnumbered acetate: no artist credited -- Kiss Me Again And Again (Alice W. Federer)
Film City, unnumbered acetate: no artist credited -- You'll Be Mine (Alice W. Federer)
Film City, unnumbered acetate: no artist credited -- Sittin' & Dreamin' (Alice W. Federer)
Film City, unnumbered acetate: no artist credited -- I'm Comin' Home My Baby (Alice W. Federer)
Film City, unnumbered acetate: no artist credited -- Pretty Gal (Alice W. Federer)
Film City, unnumbered acetate: no artist credited -- The Ribbons And The Roses (Creel Austin) ("Alice W. Federer" is crossed out as the credited songwriter)
Film City, unnumbered acetate: no artist credited -- The New Beat And Step (Creel Austin) ("Alice W. Federer" is crossed out as the credited songwriter)
Film City, unnumbered acetate: no artist credited -- Don't Eat Your Heart Out Over Me (Creel Austin) (singer is unmistakably Jimmy Drake; "Alice W. Federer" is crossed out as the writer credit)
Film City, unnumbered acetate: no artist credited -- No, No, No, Don't Tell Me It's True (Creel Austin) (singer is unmistakably Jimmy Drake; "Alice W. Federer" is crossed out as the writer credit)
Film City, unnumbered acetate: no artist credited -- Polar Bear (Creel Austin) (singer is unmistakably Jimmy Drake; "Alice W. Federer" is crossed out as the writer credit)
Film City, unnumbered acetate: no artist credited -- Susy Q (Creel Austin) (singer is unmistakably Jimmy Drake; "Alice W. Federer" is crossed out as the writer credit; handwr. on label: "Carol Sue")
Note: Despite lack of artist credit, the Film City acetates are all clearly by Drake. They are believed to have been recorded c.1966. The majority of them were found in 1998 for 50 cents apiece at a swap meet in Pasadena, Calif.
acetate masters (unreleased):
Nervous Norvus -- The Noon Balloon (To Rangoon) (Jimmy Drake)
Note: This item was located some years ago in an Oakland thrift store, then loaned to novelty DJ Dr. Demento, who has periodically aired it on his show ever since.
Nervous Norvus -- Sparks (Eddie Lyon) / Don't Go Away (Jimmy Drake)
Note: Another item located in an Oakland thrift store, by a different collector than the lucky bum who snagged "Noon Balloon." This is a different take of "Sparks" than the tape version listed below, and includes "sparking" sound effects which sound like Drake rubbing two pieces of sandpaper together. The effect is charming, if not quite convincing. This disc appears under the imprint of Paul Barrett Music, Drake's publisher.
tape reels (unreleased):
Nervous Norvus & His King-Sized Uke -- I Listen To Red In Bed
Nervous Norvus, accompanied by His King-Sized Uke -- The Blackout Song ("inspired by The Red Blanchard Show")
Nervous Norvus, accompanied by His King-Sized Uke -- Kangaroo Hop (Jimmy Drake) (fragment)
Nervous Norvus -- The Clock Shop (Jimmy Drake) (mislabeled "The Clock Song")
Nervous Norvus -- I Hate Bugs
Nervous Norvus -- Sparks (Eddie Lyon) ("Rock & Roll number"; awaiting sparks sound effects by Red Blanchard, never dubbed)
Jimmy Drake -- Little Cowboy (Jimmy Drake)
Nervous Norvus -- I'm Waitin' Up For Santa Claus (Victor Rodgers & Jack Dickie)
Nervous Norvus -- Wanderin' Man (located in Dot vaults)
Nervous Norvus -- Ape Call (Jimmy Drake) (without sound effects)
Nervous Norvus -- Transfusion (Jimmy Drake) (without sound effects) (missing)
Nervous Norvus & His King-Sized Uke -- The Bully Bully Man (available in RealAudio, from Red Blanchard's own site)
Nervous Norvus -- Goofy Love (missing)
Singing Jimmy Drake -- The History Of My Heart (Claudio Lopez) (missing)
Note: Above are all presumed to be from c.1953-56.
My Lovely Little Teapot
Elvis You're A G.I. Now
Boris The Blue Nosed Baboon
I Wish I Was A Monkey
A Shiny Brand New Smile
Strawberry Mary McGee
Bullfrog Hop (pre-overdubs)
'Fraidy Bug
Little Cowboy (alt. take)
When I Hear The Honkin' Of The Diesel Train
The Evil Hurricane
The Clock Shop (alt. take)
He's My Dad (And A Wonderful Guy)
Big Buzzard And Chief Weak Eyes (spoken word, a sort of radio skit)
Note: Above are Drake demos from the collection of his mentor and chief inspiration, Red Blanchard. If there are any markings on the original tapes that might reveal artist or songwriter credits, we have no access to them at this time. In several cases, even the titles are conjectures.
That's Sympathy
Texas Prairie
Sittin' And Dreamin'
Girl With A Ponytail
It Won't Happen Again
Jitterbug Kids
In A Chapel On A Sunday
Note: Above are 78 rpm acetates Drake recorded for one of his steadiest clients, Alice W. Federer of Los Angeles. They were located in a collection including other Federer demos, most of which she'd recorded herself.
Jimmy Drake -- This Little Statue (Florence Van Brock) (c.1956)
Note: This song was listed in an ad (in Songwriter's Review's 1957 Songwriter's Annual Directory) as "Rec. by Jimmy Drake," but the recording itself has not surfaced.
Jimmy Drake -- Call Off The Wedding (Henry Boye) (1954)
Jimmy Drake -- My Butterfly Heart (c.1954)
Jimmy Drake -- Big Talk (c.1954)
Singing Jimmy Drake -- There's Gonna Be A Wedding (Dean Thayer Wilton-Jimmy Drake) (c.1955)
Note: Above were "successful" in that they led to songwriting contracts for Drake's clients. Info taken from print sources.
as songwriter only:
Cavalier 828: "Red Blanchard Presents!!" The Paris Sisters, with Jimmy Diamond & His Sparking Music -- Zorch Boogie (Martin Judnich) / The Bully Bully Man (Jimmy Drake) (available in RealAudio, from Red Blanchard's own site)
label and artist unknown: If I Could Send A Kiss With Every Raindrop (Jimmy Drake) (c.1955; believed recorded by bandleader Horace Heidt's record company)
label and artist unknown: Strawberry Mary McGee (Jimmy Drake-Jimmy Sheldon) (c.1955; believed recorded by bandleader Horace Heidt's record company)
If I Could Make It So (Jimmy Drake) (c.1955; publ. Hill & Range; not known if recorded)
You Slammed The Door Of My Heart (Jimmy Drake) (c.1955; publ. Hill & Range; not known if recorded)
Embee 1001: Nick Alexander & The Coquettes -- Conestoga Wagons (Gammans-Drake) / False Heart (Bob Brittan) (1957)
The Heart Mender (Jimmy Drake) (1951)
The Kangaroo Hop (Charles O'Reardon & Jimmy Drake) (1951; O'Reardon was also from Oakland)
The Bully Bully Man (Jimmy Drake) (1953)
Bullfrog Hop (Jimmy Drake) (1956; prev. reg. in '51 as The Kangaroo Hop)
Japanese Rock And Roll (James E. Drake, Sr.) (1956)
Note: Library of Congress files should be read with a grain of salt. "Japanese Rock And Roll" was found listed there alongside other titles by "our" Jimmy Drake, but with a writer credit that does not quite match his full name. Thus, the song attached to this intriguing title was either written by "our" Jimmy Drake but misattributed to a James E. Drake, Sr., or else was indeed written by James E. Drake, Sr. and does not belong in the present listing.
Don't Go Away (Jimmy Drake)
The Portiers Of Time (Paul Barrett-Jimmy Drake)
Rocka Hula Boat (Jimmy Busler-Jimmy Drake-William Shrader) (1959)
Japanese Rock And Roll (James E. Drake, Sr.) (1956)
Note: From the Folk Talent & Tunes column of the July 13, 1959 issue of Billboard: "Memphis songwriter Jimmy Busler has collaborated with Nervous Norvus on a new ditty titled 'Rock A Hula Boat,' which is being published by Paul Barrett's firm."
Diamond 4003: 4 Jokers -- Transfusion (1956)
Tops R286: "Scat Man" Crothers with Lew Raymond Trio -- Transfusion (c.1956)
Note: Both of the above cover versions of "Transfusion" use the "Auto Skids and Crashes" effect from the Standard Sound Effects series, the same one that Red Blanchard used on Norvus's original. A common accessory of radio and recording studios in the 1950s and '60s, the effect reappeared years later on The Shangri-Las' "Leader Of The Pack." Sharing side A of the Tops EP (issued in 45 and 78 configurations) with Scatman Crothers' terrific cover of "Transfusion" is Gene Merlino's cover of Pat Boone's cover of Ivory Joe Hunter's "I Almost Lost My Mind." Under pseudonyms such as Gene Marshall, Jan Merlin and John Muir, Merlino was -- and remains -- one of the all-time great song-poem vocalists. The flip is of the unknown Bud Roman singing "Glendora," a hit for Perry Como, and "On The Street Where You Live," from My Fair Lady.
Edisun ED-15: NRBQ -- Dig (2002; on Music's Been Good To You CD)
Note: Recorded live in Connecticut in 1977. Dedicated Nervous Norvus fans of long standing, NRBQ also obliquely references him in the lyrics to their songs "Scraps" (two separate references there; the song can be found on the album of the same name) and "Get That Gasoline Blues" (Workshop version only).
Blind Pig: Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen -- Transfusion (1986; on Let's Rock LP)
blank label: John Wesley Harding -- Transfusion (1991; official fan club 45, b/w cover of Bob Dylan's "Wiggle Wiggle")
J-Bird: Cub Koda & The Points -- The Fang (2000; on Noise Monkeys CD)
Hightone HCD8110: Deke Dickerson & The Ecco-fonics -- My Name Is Deke (aka "The Fang," with personalized lyrics; 1999; on More Million Sellers CD)
Tom Waits mumbles "Slip me a little crimson, Jimson," a variation of a line from "Transfusion," in "Opening Intro" on his Nighthawks At The Diner album (Asylum, 1975).
Coupe DeVille, a 1990 comedy film starring Patrick Dempsey, Daniel Stern and Arye Gross, includes a portion of "Transfusion" on its soundtrack.
John Waters uses a verse and a chorus of "Dig" in Female Trouble, appearing approximately one hour from the start of the movie. The snippet underscores a transition shot of Divine strutting her stuff on the streets of Baltimore, a scene roughly parallel to the use of "The Girl Can't Help It" in Waters' follow-up, Pink Flamingos.
Bette Midler, in a 1989 interview on National Public Radio's Fresh Air program, spoke of The Divine Mr. N. In a paraphrase of her comments there, "The first two rock and roll songs I liked in the middle '50s, 1955 I think, were 'Ape Call' and one where a car keeps crashing. Nervous Norvus was putting out these records."
anthology:
Stone Age Woo: The Zorch Sounds of Nervous Norvus (Norton, 2004).
Comprehensive, career-spanning collection of the music of Nervous Norvus/Singing Jimmy Drake, compiled and annotated by Phil Milstein.
