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Bewildered
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Wikipedia article
"'Bewildered'" is a popular song written in 1936 by Teddy Powell and Leonard Whitcup. It was a 1938 hit for Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra.
1948 recordings
The song was revived in the late 1940s when two different versions, by the Red Miller Trio and Amos Milburn, reached number one on the R&B chart in 1948 (neither of them made the pop chart). Both these versions departed significantly from the original published melody and influenced later recordings.
James Brown and the Famous Flames version
James Brown and the Famous Flames recorded "Bewildered" in 1959. Their doo-woptinged rendition was somewhat similar to the Amos Milburn version, with a strong triplet feeling and a heavily melismatic vocal line. It was first released as a track on Brown's 1960 album 'Think!'. The following year it was issued as a single, which reached the R&B Top Ten and became Brown's second single (after "Think") to enter the pop Top 40 (US charts: number 8 R&B; number 40 pop).White, Cliff (1991). "Discography". In 'Star Time'. CD booklet. New York: PolyGram Records.pp. 5459.
"Bewildered" became a staple of Brown's concerts for much of his career. It was featured in a medley on his breakthrough 1963 album 'Live at the Apollo' and appeared on several of his later live albums, including 'Revolution of the Mind: Recorded Live at the Apollo, Vol. III' (1971) and 'Love, Power, Peace' (1992). He also recorded new studio versions for the albums 'Prisoner of Love' (1963) and 'Sex Machine' (1970).
Personnel
* James Brown – lead vocal'And The Famous Flames:'
* Bobby Byrd – vocals, piano
* Bobby Bennett – vocals
* Baby Lloyd Stallworth – vocals
* Johnny Terry – vocals
* Willie Johnson – vocals
'with the James Brown Band:'
* George Dorsey – alto saxophone
* J.C. Davis – tenor saxophone
* Bobby Roach – guitar
* Bernard Odum – bass guitar
* Nat Kendrick – drumsLeeds, Alan; Weinger, Harry (1991). "Star Time: Song by Song". In 'Star Time'. CD booklet. New York: PolyGram Records. pp. 4653.
Other versions
"Bewildered" was subsequently recorded by several others, including R&B performers:
*Also in 1938, it was also recorded by Mildred Bailey.
*Billy Eckstine and the Ink Spots, with Eckstine's version reaching number 4 on the R&B chart and number 27 on the pop chart.
*A decade later it was recorded by Mickey & Sylvia, again with an altered melody similar to that of the Red Miller Trio recording.
*"Bewildered" was also covered in 1990 by the Notting Hillbillies on their album 'Missing...Presumed Having a Good Time'.Wolk, Douglas. (2004). 'Live at the Apollo'. New York: Continuum Books. pp. 8992.
References
Category:1936 songs
Category:1948 singles
Category:1949 singles
Category:1958 singles
Category:1961 singles
Category:James Brown songs
Category:The Famous Flames songs
Category:Mickey & Sylvia songs
Category:Songs written by Teddy Powell
Category:Songs written by Leonard Whitcup
Category:King Records (United States) singles
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