JACK EARLS Sun Records rockabilly SLOW DOWN (1956)

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JACK EARLS
SLOW DOWN (1957)

In a very real sense, Jack Earls typifies everything that is best about the rockabilly music that Sam Phillips recorded. The musicianship on his sole Sun single is limited even by Sun's modest standards and Earls voice made up in intensity what it lacked in range. However, like all of the best Sun recordings, the whole was worth much more than the sum of the parts. Earls' raw enthusiasm is contagious.

Earls first auditioned for Phillips in 1955 with a group that included four or five guitarists. Phillips was struck with the painful intensity of Earls' vocals but told him to find another group. Together with Bill Black's brother, Johnny Black, Earls put together a group that comprised Danny Walquist on drums and Warren Gregory on drums. Black had switched from guitar to bass. It was this aggregation that went back to 706 Union in late 1955 and recorded "Hey! Jim."

Then, on January 30, 1956, shortly before the record's release, Earls sat up all night in his Buick Roadmaster and wrote "Slow Down." Hearing the song, Sam Phillips scrapped plans to issue "Hey! Jim" and coupled "Slow Down" with "A Fool For Lovin' You" (recorded in that first session). Earls' band still bears the name 'the Jimbos' in anticipation of "Hey! Jim."

According to Earls, "Slow Down" sold very well and he received $2,500 in royalties. Plans must have been fairly well advanced for a second single but nothing was released. Earls was not really in a position to work his records. He had a day job at the Colonial Bakery and only worked weekends at the Palms Club.

Earls was signed to Stars Inc. but only took part in one short tour. His biggest gig came when the Grand Ol' Opry touring show came to Memphis, Earls played the 'B' side, "A Fool For Lovin' You" and his arrangement of "Craw Dad Hole." Earls was approached by Meteor and King but never recorded again until he had left Memphis. [Colin Escott & Hank Davis]

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