I got this track from an extremely rare 45 by Ray Taylor & Alabama Pals on the small and obscure Clix label out of Troy, Michigan.. Hardly anything is known about this artist other than that he was born in Smithville, Tenn. and moved with his family to Athens, Alabama at the tender age of five. He worked strictly locally out of his home town in Michigan and ”My Hamtramck Baby” (original title, changed by me to ”My Hamtramck Mama”!) b/w ”Connie Lou” (Clix 45-802) was his 2nd release on the Clix label (only beaten by ”Clocking My Card” b/w ”Kentucky Girl” on Clix 45-801 from november, 1958) and his foremost footprint in the world of recorded music. A follow-up titled ”I'll Never Let You Weary My Mind Any More” b/w ”(I'd Like To Be) That Same Old Fool Again” (Clix -45-803) was released but went absolutely nowhere. The 802 effort however is a 1st class bluesy type rockabilly offering, showcasing his 15 year old son, Adolfus, playing drums on both sides. Originally released in April, 1959 and re-released as late as 1972 (pressed by RCA)! Same tracks were also re-released again on Olympic 45-OR008 in 1976. Another example of yet another great roots type artist that 'fell by the wayside' and hardly went nowhere at all, in spite of his undoubtable qualities as a first class singer and rhythm guitarist!
Clix Records was strictly a local and badly distributed label, only found in the Detroit-Royal Oak-Troy area, thus they are very rare. The standout artist was obviously RAY TALOR, whose uncompromising Rockabilly-cum-Blues sides « CONNIE LOU » and « MY HAMTRAMCK BABY » from 1959 has long since become cult classics. On the other side, his flirtations with Bluegrass and strict country, on a couple of his other Clix singles, are surprisingly fine sides.
I recorded both sides of this Clix single in the mid-'70s...”Connie Lou” was released on the ”Rockabilly Gasseroonie” album on the Sonet label in '77 and ”My Hamtramck Mama” on the ”Cruisin' Deuces” CD on the Sunjay label in '96. The usual set-up is at hand as far as the instruments goes, aka my Country Gent for the guitar parts and the Ludwig set for the drums. However, I added a dog house bass in the mid-'80s, just in case you're wondering what's slappin' away in there. Hope you enjoy...