I’m writing today’s entry a tad bit early of our regular Thursday deadline due to the fact that I am leaving shortly to work in a remote area of the plush Texas Hill Country for the rest of the week (Medina, TX to be accurate) and will be effectively incommunicado. Thusly so, I have to keep this short and sweet and pack my bags here momentarily. BUT I’ll start by stating that today’s selection, King Coleman’s “The Boo Boo Song Pt. 1”, is a soul shattering burner from start to finish, and truly one of my all-time favorites.

King Coleman got his start as a radio DJ and gained popularity on Miami’s WMBM in the late 50’s, and continues to fill a popular spot on the late hours at the station to this day. It was here that he became a pivotal force in popularizing and exposing rhythm and blues, doowap, and soul records to a widespread Miami audience, and soon became a known figure in the regional radio scene. Coleman got a shot to record vocals over James Brown’s “(Do The) Mashed Potatoes” due to a record dispute with Mr. Brown and his label (King), and you can check out a clip of that wonderful slice of popcorn R&B and purchase Coleman’s entire best-of compilation (thanks to the great people over at Norton) here.

The Boo Boo Song captures the era of party-time nonsensical novelty songs of the 60’s almost perfectly, but it’s above and beyond anything that falls in that category. Coleman’s energetic wailing shoots like a cannon immediately after a Dr. Seuss styled vocal intro, and doesn’t let go until the very end. Interesting to note that Mr. Coleman’s early career is reported to have been quite influential on a young Clarence Reid, and inspired him to take shout-singing vocalizations and crazed energy of Coleman’s persona to a whole new level as an outrageous and ultimate ladies man (and true Godfather of Rap) known to us all as Blowfly. The Miami New Time wrote a great piece on Mr. Coleman a few years back, here’s a link to that article if you’re interested in reading more on his career.

LISTEN: King Coleman-The Boo Boo Song