Mr Bass Man: The Acetates

There was a lot more to Johnny Cymbal than his 1963 smash hit Mr. Bass Man, though the song remains his chief claim to fame (under his own name, anyway). You'll find no less than three versions of his calling card on 'Mr. Bass Man The Acetates' the beloved hit with ex-Valentines bass singer Ronnie Bright providing the deep-voiced retorts as well as an alternate take and a fascinating solo demo version where Johnny magically sings both parts. Rare demo tapes comprise the lion's share of this intriguing 15-song compilation, and they're revelatory just Cymbal and his acoustic guitar, singing some of his most impressive compositions (he was a prolific songwriter) in a most engaging manner. It's like Johnny's sitting in your living room, demonstrating his latest sheaf of potential hits just for you (there are even brief spoken intros on a few selections)! Not everything here is solo acoustic, but that's the primary focus - a too often-overlooked facet of this extraordinarily talented and versatile '60s performer.