Doug Anderson

New Orleans legend Eddie Bo was involved in an enormous body of work in the 60s – some of it was very fine indeed, but a lot of it wasn’t. He was less active in the 70s as the local record scene declined but this gem was one of his very best. The funk side has them falling over themselves to get on the dancefloor but “I Won’t Cry (I’ll Just Laugh Myself To Death)” has always been my favoured side. Over some lively strings Anderson gives an exemplary performance of a man in torment. The end section complete with forced laughter is particularly good.

Some commentators seem to think this is Bo himself in disguise but the vocalist doesn’t sound anything like any Eddie Bo 45 I’ve got – Anderson’s voice is in a lower register and is much more forceful than Bo’s rather light baritone.

Discography

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