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THE REVIEW
Truly eccentric and unprecedented is the collaboration captured on this 21-minute EP, released in 1985 by Midnight Records.
On December 19, 1984, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, the legendary voodoo wizard of Blues and Rhythm’n’blues, and the Fuzztones, standard-bearers of New York Garage rock, found themselves sharing the stage at Irving Plaza in New York for a charity concert entitled Christmess. Among those invited to the event, besides the Fuzztones and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, were also Plan 9 and the A-Bones.
For Rudi Protrudi, the opportunity to get close to one of his idols and offer the band's services to accompany him in his performance was irresistible.
The result is the four tracks recorded on Screamin’ Jay Hawkins & The Fuzztones Live, where there is very little of the Fuzztones and much of the theatrical and vocal extravagance of the black musician (listen to the concluding “Constipation Blues” to get an idea). The Fuzztones set aside the Garage-punk to serve the Blues, creating a show where the audience’s attention is inevitably drawn to Hawkins’s deep timbre and macabre and wild theatricality, as he perpetually brought with him a skull named Henry and loved to emerge from a coffin during concerts.
Four songs. Four hypnotic Voodoo Blues. “Alligator Wine,” a classic penned by Leiber and Stoller, and three original compositions by Screamin’ Jay, including the indispensable “I Put a Spell on You,” his signature song. Four splendid interpretations by the screaming Jay, imbued with the primordial soul of Blues and streaked with light garage nuances due to the sound of the Farfisa organ and the Vox guitars of the Fuzztones.
Jalacy Hawkins, the real name of Screamin’ Jay, born in Cleveland in 1929, who once said: “I came into this world naked, ugly, and black. I will leave naked, ugly, and black.” And so it was on February 12, 2000, when Screamin’ Jay suddenly passed away as a result of surgery for an aneurysm. His body was cremated in Paris, the city where he had spent his final years, at the Pere Lachaise cemetery - where Jim Morrison rests. His ashes were scattered over the Atlantic Ocean.
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Summary by Bot
This 21-minute live EP captures an unusual collaboration between Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and The Fuzztones recorded in 1984 and released in 1985. While the Fuzztones take a backseat to Hawkins’ vocal and theatrical dominance, the fusion of blues and garage rock creates a mesmerizing experience. Highlights include classic tracks like "I Put a Spell on You" and "Alligator Wine." The review celebrates Hawkins’ unique stage presence and deep influence on rhythm and blues.
Screamin' Jay Hawkins
American singer and performer known for the theatrical, voodoo-tinged shock-rock persona and the timeless “I Put a Spell on You.” Born in Cleveland in 1929 as Jalacy Hawkins, he fused R&B, blues, and rock’n’roll with macabre stagecraft—coffins, skulls, and wild baritone howls. He died on February 12, 2000 after surgery, and was cremated in Paris.03 Reviews
