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Lee Dorsey

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Wikimp3 information about the music of Lee Dorsey. On our website we have 70 albums and 22 collections of artist Lee Dorsey. You can find useful information and download songs of this artist. We also know that Lee Dorsey represents Hip Hop/R&B genres.

Biography

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Lee Dorsey epitomized the loose, easygoing charm of New Orleans R&B perhaps more than any other artist of the '60s. Working with legendary Crescent City producer/writer Allen Toussaint, Dorsey typically offered good-time party tunes with a playful sense of humor and a loping, funky backbeat. Even if he's remembered chiefly for the signature hit "Working in a Coalmine," it was a remarkably consistent and winning combination for the vast majority of his recording career.

Dorsey was born in New Orleans on December 24, 1924 (although some sources list 1926), and moved to Portland, OR, at age ten. After serving in the Navy during WWII, Dorsey returned to Portland and became a successful light heavyweight boxer, fighting under the name "Kid Chocolate." He retired from boxing in 1955 and returned to his birthplace, where he eventually opened a successful auto-body shop. He pursued a singing career by night, and wound up recording singles for several different labels, most of which made little noise (although "Lottie Mo" sold respectably). In 1961, he signed with Bobby Robinson's Fury label, where he entered the studio with producer Allen Toussaint for the first time. Dorsey's nonsense ditty "Ya Ya" — reportedly inspired by a children's rhyme — became his first national hit that year, reaching the pop Top Ten and hitting number one on the R&B charts. Despite its popularity, following it up turned out to be difficult, and with a large family to support, Dorsey returned to his auto repair business after a few more singles flopped.

Still, Allen Toussaint loved Dorsey's voice, and kept him in mind for future sessions. Toussaint's hunch paid off in 1965 when, signed to the Amy label, Dorsey turned "Ride Your Pony" into a Top Ten R&B hit. The accompanying album of the same name sold respectably as well, and Dorsey began cutting a multitude of Toussaint compositions, often with the legendary New Orleans funk ensemble the Meters as his studio backing band. The New Lee Dorsey was released later in 1966, and supplied Dorsey's best-known song, the irresistible "Working in a Coalmine" (which he co-wrote with Toussaint). With its clanking sound effects and Dorsey's comic exclamations, "Working in a Coalmine" became his second Top Ten pop hit and signature song, and Dorsey toured internationally with the Meters backing him up. A few follow-ups, particularly "Holy Cow" and "Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky (From Now On)," met with some success, but Dorsey was once again hard pressed to duplicate his big hit, and once again left music for the practical concern of running his business. 1970's Yes We Can (on Polydor) was his last album for some time, with the title track becoming his last chart single.

After guesting on the Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes cut "How Come You Treat Me So Bad?," Dorsey attempted a comeback in 1977 with the ABC album Night People, which wasn't a commercial success despite mostly positive reviews. Still, it was enough to land him supporting slots on tours by the likes of James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, and even the Clash, whose 1980 tour was his last major concert jaunt. In the meantime, other artists mined his back catalog for covers: "Working in a Coalmine" was redone by robotic new wavers Devo and country duo the Judds; "Ya Ya" by Ike & Tina Turner, John Lennon, and Buckwheat Zydeco; "Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky (From Now On)" by jazzman Lou Donaldson; and "Yes We Can" by the Pointer Sisters (under the new title "Yes We Can Can"). Dorsey continued to perform sporadically, as opportunities presented themselves, until he contracted emphysema; he died in New Orleans on December 1, 1986.

Title: Mystic Moments

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Rooftop Storys

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Top 10

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Colorful Garden

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Pop

Title: Cheaper Tricks

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Quiescent Point

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Pop

Title: Ride Your Pony

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Pop

Title: Yum Yum

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Pop

Title: Always The Best Hits

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Pop

Title: Redwood Tree

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Salon

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: As Light As Straw

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Art Collection

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Happy Sounds

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: In The Wild West

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Piano

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Ya! Ya!

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Rock, Rock & Roll, Punk Rock

Title: Ya Ya

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Pop

Title: Pussy Cat

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Dinner

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Expanse

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Night People

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Funk

Title: Soul Nostalgia

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Soul

Title: Freedom Loving

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Carousel

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: A Bouquet Of Hits

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Bouse

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Confectioner's

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Flapping Wings

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Guitar Town Music

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Yes We Can

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Funk

Title: Keep In Sight

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Title: Through The Area

Artist: Lee Dorsey

Genre: Blues

Collections

Featuring albums

Title: Soul City

Artist: Aaron Neville

Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul

Title: Radio Hits Of the '60s

Artist: Various

Genre: Pop

Title: The Drive In

Artist: Various Artists

Genre: Pop

Title: Pop Goes the '60s

Artist: Various Artists

Genre: Rock, Pop

Title: Africa Centre

Artist: Soul II Soul

Genre: Pop

Genres