STARDAY RECORDS 518

DANIEL JAMES

Apr 55 (BB = 28th May 55)

518-A - Magic Wands And Wishing Wells

(D James / N Miller)    (Starrite BMI)

518-B - Through The Barroom Door

(D James / R Mansel)   (Starrite BMI)

STARDAY RECORDS 518

Artist Based In Houston, TX

STARDAY 518 was reissued on ALLSTAR 7161, which isn’t that surprising when you consider that Daniel James is Dan Mechura, who owned Allstar. Billboard mentions in passing (26 March 1955) that Daniel had signed with Starday Records and he was broadcasting over KNUZ. To promote this disc, Daniel toured with Hank Locklin, Lee Leissner and Texas Rhythm Boys in June 55. Compared to the torrid “Rock Moon Rock” - (Allstar 7163) and “I’m Gonna Move” - (Allstar 7183), Daniel delivers this plaintive hillbilly disc with all the gusto of a man singing whilst reading the lyrics in front of him. Nice echoey sound on the disc though gives it some atmosphere. The odd thing about this is that at the time of this disc, he already sees to have started his Allstar label with an address out of Garrow Street, Houston, TX. Menchura was happy to offer the same kind of deal that Starday offered here - cut the tracks - stick out a 45rpm, limited distribution and hoped for a hit to carry the momentum onwards and upwards. Dan and his Allstar label were also active in the seedy world of "Song-Poem" record labels. But by the mid 60's, Dan's labels folded after issuing at least close to 200 45’s on either the main label or on one of Dan’s numerous subsiduary labels. Note the publishing details have changed by the time he reissued it on his Allstar label.(MC / Phil Tricker)

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