Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger: Difference between revisions

Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger
Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger
Studio album by Bo Diddley
Released	December 1960
Recorded	October 1959 – February 1960
Length	30:15
Label	Checker LP-2977
Producer	Leonard Chess, Phil Chess, Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley chronology

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Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger is the fifth studio album by American rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley released in December 1960 by Checker Records.^[1] The album title comes from the album's first track called "Gunslinger" and the cover art has Bo Diddley dressed in Western-style clothing. The songs for Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger were recorded from October 1959 to February 1960.^[2] Several tracks of interest ^{[citation needed]} are "Sixteen Tons" which Bo was supposed to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show, ^{[citation needed]} the title track, and "Diddling" (an instrumental between guitar and saxophone).

Songs

"Gunslinger"

This song was originally released as the a-side of Checker single 965 in November 1960.^[3] The singles B-side "Signifying Blues" was never released on the album. The song features a Bo Diddley beat. Warren Zevon performed the song as "Bo Diddley's a Gunslinger" on his 1981 live album Stand in the Fire.

"Ride on Josephine"

"Ride on Josephine" was a rock and roll song with backing vocals and piano work by either Otis Spann, Lafayette Leake, or Billy Stewart.^[4] The song has been covered by George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Sleepy LaBeef, Eric Sardinas, and Van Morrison.

"Sixteen Tons"

Bo Diddley was asked to perform "Sixteen Tons" on The Ed Sullivan Show but performed "Bo Diddley" instead ^{[citation needed]}.

"Cadillac"

The song "Cadillac" features Gene Barge on tenor saxophone,^[4] and has been covered by The Kinks, The Downliners Sect, New Colony Six, and sung as a duet by Van Morrison and Linda Gail Lewis. Cadillac was also the name of the guitar that is featured on the album's front cover.^[5]

Other songs/styles

The song "Googlia Moo", as well as "No More Lovin'" and others, gives the album a doo-wop feel.^[6]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ellas McDaniel, except where noted

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Gunslinger"	1:50
2.	"Ride on Josephine"	3:00
3.	"Doing the Craw-Daddy"	2:58
4.	"Cadillac"	2:39
5.	"Somewhere"	2:25
Total length:		12:52^[7]

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
6.	"Cheyenne"		2:05
7.	"Sixteen Tons"	Merle Travis, arranged by McDaniel	2:30
8.	"Whoa Mule (Shine)"		2:28
9.	"No More Lovin'"		2:25
10.	"Diddling"		2:20
Total length:			11:48^[7]

1988 bonus tracks
No.	Title	Length
11.	"Working Man"	3:00
12.	"Do What I Say"	2:46

2004 reissue bonus tracks
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
13.	"Prisoner of Love"	Russ Columbo, Leo Robin, Clarence Gaskill	2:31
14.	"Googlia Moo"		3:02
15.	"Better Watch Yourself"		2:54

Personnel

Per allmusic^[4]

Bo Diddley – lead vocals, lead guitar
Jerome Green – maracas, backing vocals
Willie Dixon – bass
Bobby Baskerville – bass
Jesse James Johnson – electric bass
Billy Downing – drums
Clifton James – drums
Lafayette Leake – piano
Otis Spann – piano
Billy Stewart – piano
Peggy Jones – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Gene Barge – tenor saxophone
Johnny Carter – backing vocals
Harvey Fuqua – backing vocals
Lily "Bee Bee" Jamieson – backing vocals
Gloria Morgan – backing vocals
Nate Nelson – backing vocals
Leonard Chess – producer
Andy McKaie – Reissue producer
Vartan – Art direction

Charts

The album spent one week on the UK Album Charts on November 9, 1963 at No. 20.^[8]

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalog
United States	December 1960	Checker Records	mono LP	LP 2297
United Kingdom	November 1963	Pye Jazz Records	mono LP	NJL 33
United States	August 13, 1966	Checker Records	4-track cartridge	21-369A
United States	1988	Chess Records	CD	CHD-9285
United States	April 13, 2004	Geffen Records	CD	000176102
Worldwide reissue	2008	Universal International	LP	1529771

References

^ ^a ^b "Reviews and Ratings of New Albums". Billboard. December 19, 1960. p. 24. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
^ ^a ^b Dahl, Bill. "Overview: Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger by Bo Diddley". Allmusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
^ Strong, Charles (2002) [Originally published in 1994]. The Great Rock Discography (Sixth ed.). United Kingdom: Canongate Books. p. 371. ISBN 1-84195-312-1.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger". Allmusic. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
^ Roman, Ed (December 30, 1928). "Bo Diddley". Celebrityrockstarguitars.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
^ Eder, Bruce. "Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger [Bonus Tracks] > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
^ ^a ^b Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger (Vinyl sleeve). Bo Diddley. United States: Checker Records. back cover. LP 2977.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ "Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley Is A Gun Slinger". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 4, 2012.

[Billboard1-1] "Reviews and Ratings of New Albums". Billboard. December 19, 1960. p. 24. Retrieved December 19, 2010.

[AM1-2] Dahl, Bill. "Overview: Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger by Bo Diddley". Allmusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 29, 2010.

[strong-3] Strong, Charles (2002) [Originally published in 1994]. The Great Rock Discography (Sixth ed.). United Kingdom: Canongate Books. p. 371. ISBN 1-84195-312-1.

[allmusic2-4] "Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger". Allmusic. Retrieved January 4, 2012.

[5] Roman, Ed (December 30, 1928). "Bo Diddley". Celebrityrockstarguitars.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2012.

[AM-6] Eder, Bruce. "Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger [Bonus Tracks] > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved August 23, 2010.

[sleeve-7] Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger (Vinyl sleeve). Bo Diddley. United States: Checker Records. back cover. LP 2977.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[8] "Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley Is A Gun Slinger". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 4, 2012.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2012}}
-{{Infobox album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
+{{Infobox album
-| Name        = Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger
-| Type        = Studio
+| name       = Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger
-| Artist      = [[Bo Diddley]]
+| type       = Studio
-| Cover       = Diddley gun slinger.jpg
+| artist     = [[Bo Diddley]]
-| Alt         =
+| cover      = Diddley gun slinger.jpg
-| Released    = {{Start date|1960|12}}<ref name="Billboard1">{{cite journal
+| alt        =
+| released   = {{Start date|1960|12}}<ref name="Billboard1">{{cite magazine
 | date        = December 19, 1960
 | title       = Reviews and Ratings of New Albums
-| journal     = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]
+| magazine     = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]
 | page        = 24
-| accessdate  = December 19, 2010
+| access-date  = December 19, 2010
-| url         = http://books.google.com/books?id=lx0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA24&dq=%22Bo+Diddley%22+2977&hl=en&ei=UFsOTer0EIntnQfMiez6DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCQQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Bo%20Diddley%22%202977&f=false
+| url         = https://books.google.com/books?id=lx0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Bo+Diddley%22+2977&pg=PA24
 }}</ref>
-| Recorded    = October 1959 – February 1960<ref name="AM1">{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=bo-diddley-is-a-gunslinger-r5733|pure_url=yes}} |title=Overview: ''Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger'' by Bo Diddley |first=Bill |last=Dahl |work=[[Allmusic]] |publisher=[[Rovi Corporation]] |location=[[United States]] |accessdate=November 29, 2010 }}</ref>
+| recorded   = October 1959 – February 1960<ref name="AM1">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=bo-diddley-is-a-gunslinger-r5733|pure_url=yes}} |title=Overview: ''Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger'' by Bo Diddley |first=Bill |last=Dahl |work=[[Allmusic]] |publisher=[[Rovi Corporation]] |location=[[United States]] |access-date=November 29, 2010 }}</ref>
+| venue      =
-| Genre       = [[Rock and roll]], [[rhythm and blues]], [[doo-wop]], [[Country music|country and western]]
-| Length      = {{Duration|m=30|s=15}}
+| studio     =
+| genre      =
-| Label       = [[Checker Records|Checker]] LP-2977
+| length     = {{Duration|m=30|s=15}}
-| Producer    = [[Leonard Chess]], [[Phil Chess]], [[Bo Diddley]]
+| label      = [[Checker Records|Checker]] LP-2977
-| Last album  = ''Bo Diddley In the Spotlight'' <br /> (1960)
+| producer   = [[Leonard Chess]], [[Phil Chess]], [[Bo Diddley]]
-| This album  = '''''Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger''''' <br />(1960)
-| Next album  = ''Bo Diddley Is a Lover'' <br /> (1961)
+| prev_title = [[Bo Diddley in the Spotlight]]
+| prev_year  = 1960
+| next_title = [[Bo Diddley Is a Lover]]
+| next_year  = 1961
 }}
-'''Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger''' is the fifth album by [[People of the United States|American]] [[rock and roll]] pioneer [[Bo Diddley]] released in December 1960 by [[Checker Records]].<ref name="Billboard1" /> The album title comes from the album's first track called "Gunslinger" and the cover art has Bo Diddley dressed in [[Western (genre)|Western]]-style clothing. The songs for ''Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger'' were recorded from October 1959 to February 1960.<ref name="AM1" /> Several tracks of interest are "[[Sixteen Tons]]" which Bo was supposed to perform on [[Ed Sullivan|The Ed Sullivan Show]], the title track, and "Diddling" (an [[instrumental]] between guitar and [[saxophone]]).
+'''''Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger''''' is the fifth studio album by [[People of the United States|American]] [[rock and roll]] pioneer [[Bo Diddley]] released in December 1960 by [[Checker Records]].<ref name="Billboard1" /> The album title comes from the album's first track called "Gunslinger" and the cover art has Bo Diddley dressed in [[Western (genre)|Western]]-style clothing. The songs for ''Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger'' were recorded from October 1959 to February 1960.<ref name="AM1" /> Several tracks of interest {{citation needed|date=December 2017}} are "[[Sixteen Tons]]" which Bo was supposed to perform on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'', {{citation needed|date=December 2017}} the title track, and "Diddling" (an [[instrumental]] between guitar and [[saxophone]]).
 ==Songs==
-===Gunslinger===
+==="Gunslinger"===
 This song was originally released as the a-side of [[Checker Records|Checker]] single 965 in November 1960.<ref name="strong">{{cite book
 | last      = Strong
 | first     = Charles
 | title     = The Great Rock Discography
 | edition   = Sixth
-| origyear  = Originally published in 1994
+| orig-year  = Originally published in 1994
 | year      = 2002
 | publisher = [[Canongate Books]]
@@ Line 38: / Line 43: @@
 | isbn      = 1-84195-312-1
 | page      = 371
-}}</ref> The singles b-side "Signifying Blues" was never released on the album. The song features a '''Bo Diddley beat'''.
+}}</ref> The singles B-side "Signifying Blues" was never released on the album. The song features a [[Bo Diddley beat]]. Warren Zevon performed the song as "Bo Diddley's a Gunslinger" on his 1981 live album ''[[Stand in the Fire]]''.
-===Ride on Josephine===
+==="Ride on Josephine"===
-"Ride on Josephine" was a [[rock and roll]] song with backing vocals and piano work by either [[Otis Spann]], [[Lafayette Leake]], or [[Billy Stewart]].<ref name=allmusic2>{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r690136|pure_url=yes}}|title=Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger|author= |publisher=[[Allmusic]] |accessdate=January 4, 2012}}</ref> The song has been covered by [[George Thorogood#The Destroyers|George Thorogood & The Destroyers]], [[Sleepy LaBeef]], and [[Eric Sardinas]].
+"Ride on Josephine" was a [[rock and roll]] song with backing vocals and piano work by either [[Otis Spann]], [[Lafayette Leake]], or [[Billy Stewart]].<ref name=allmusic2>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r690136|pure_url=yes}}|title=Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger|publisher=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=January 4, 2012}}</ref> The song has been covered by [[George Thorogood#The Destroyers|George Thorogood & The Destroyers]], [[Sleepy LaBeef]], [[Eric Sardinas]], and [[Van Morrison]].
-===Sixteen Tons===
+==="Sixteen Tons"===
-Bo Diddley was asked to perform "Sixteen Tons" on [[The Ed Sullivan Show]] but performed "[[Bo Diddley (song)|Bo Diddley]]" instead. Being as "Sixteen Tons" is a [[country music|country and western]] song it gives the album a different feel.
+Bo Diddley was asked to perform "Sixteen Tons" on ''The Ed Sullivan Show'' but performed "[[Bo Diddley (Bo Diddley song)|Bo Diddley]]" instead {{citation needed|date=December 2017}}.
-===Cadillac===
+==="Cadillac"===
-The song "Cadillac" features [[Gene Barge]] on tenor saxophone,<ref name="allmusic2"/> and has been covered by [[The Kinks]], [[The Downliners Sect]], the [[New Colony Six]], and sung as a duet by [[Van Morrison]] and [[Linda Gail Lewis]]. Cadillac was also the name of the guitar that is featured on the album's front cover.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ed Roman |url=http://www.celebrityrockstarguitars.com/rock/diddley_bo.htm |title=Bo Diddley |publisher=Celebrityrockstarguitars.com |date=1928-12-30 |accessdate=2012-01-04}}</ref>
+The song "Cadillac" features [[Gene Barge]] on tenor saxophone,<ref name="allmusic2"/> and has been covered by [[The Kinks]], [[The Downliners Sect]], [[New Colony Six]], and sung as a duet by [[Van Morrison]] and [[Linda Gail Lewis]]. Cadillac was also the name of the guitar that is featured on the album's front cover.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ed |last=Roman |url=http://www.celebrityrockstarguitars.com/rock/diddley_bo.htm |title=Bo Diddley |publisher=Celebrityrockstarguitars.com |date=December 30, 1928 |access-date=2012-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504040119/http://celebrityrockstarguitars.com/rock/diddley_bo.htm |archive-date=May 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-===Other Songs/Styles===
+===Other songs/styles===
-The song "Googlia Moo", as well as "No More Lovin'" and others, gives the album a [[doo-wop]] feel.<ref name="AM">{{cite web |first=Bruce|last=Eder |title=''Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger [Bonus Tracks] > Review |url= {{Allmusic|class=album|id=r690136|pure_url=yes}}|publisher=[[Allmusic]] |accessdate=23 August 2010}}</ref>
+The song "Googlia Moo", as well as "No More Lovin'" and others, gives the album a [[doo-wop]] feel.<ref name="AM">{{cite web |first=Bruce|last=Eder |title=''Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger [Bonus Tracks] > Review |url= {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r690136|pure_url=yes}}|publisher=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=August 23, 2010}}</ref>
 ==Track listing==
+{{Track listing
-{{Tracklisting
 | headline        = Side one
-| total_length    = 12:52<ref name="sleeve">{{cite album-notes |title=Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger |artist=[[Bo Diddley]] |at=back cover |format=Vinyl sleeve |publisher=[[Checker Records]] |publisherid=LP 2977 |location=[[United States]] }}</ref>
+| total_length    = 12:52<ref name="sleeve">{{cite AV media notes |title=Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger |others=[[Bo Diddley]] |at=back cover |type=Vinyl sleeve |publisher=[[Checker Records]] |id=LP 2977 |location=[[United States]] }}</ref>
 | all_writing     = [[Bo Diddley|Ellas McDaniel]], except where noted
 | title1          = Gunslinger
@@ Line 68: / Line 73: @@
 | length5         = 2:25
 }}
+{{Track listing
-{{Tracklisting
 | headline        = Side two
 | total_length    = 11:48<ref name="sleeve" />
@@ Line 74: / Line 79: @@
 | length6         = 2:05
 | title7          = [[Sixteen Tons]]
-| note7           = [[Merle Travis]], [[Arrangement|arr.]] McDaniel
+| writer7           = [[Merle Travis]], [[Arrangement|arranged by]] McDaniel
 | length7         = 2:30
 | title8          = Whoa Mule (Shine)
@@ Line 83: / Line 88: @@
 | length10        = 2:20
 }}
+{{Track listing
-{{Tracklisting
-| headline        = 1988 Bonus Tracks
+| headline        = 1988 bonus tracks
 | title11         = Working Man
 | length11        = 3:00
@@ Line 90: / Line 95: @@
 | length12        = 2:46
 }}
+{{Track listing
-{{Tracklisting
-| headline        = 2004 Reissue Bonus Tracks
+| headline        = 2004 reissue bonus tracks
 | title13         = [[Prisoner of Love (1931 song)|Prisoner of Love]]
-| note13          = [[Russ Columbo]], [[Leo Robin]], Clarence Gaskill
+| writer13          = [[Russ Columbo]], [[Leo Robin]], Clarence Gaskill
 | length13        = 2:31
 | title14         = Googlia Moo
@@ Line 101: / Line 106: @@
 }}
-==Personnel<ref name="allmusic2"/>==
+==Personnel==
 ''Per allmusic<ref name="allmusic2" />''
 *[[Bo Diddley]] – [[Lead vocalist|lead vocals]], [[lead guitar]]
-*Jerome Green – [[maraca]]s, [[Backing vocalist|backing vocals]]
+*[[Jerome Green]] – [[maraca]]s, [[Backing vocalist|backing vocals]]
 *[[Willie Dixon]] – [[Double bass|bass]]
 *Bobby Baskerville – bass
@@ Line 113: / Line 118: @@
 *[[Otis Spann]] – piano
 *[[Billy Stewart]] – piano
-*Peggy Jones – [[rhythm guitar]], backing vocals
+*[[Peggy Jones (musician)|Peggy Jones]] – [[rhythm guitar]], backing vocals
 *[[Gene Barge]] – [[tenor saxophone]]
 *[[Johnny Carter (singer)|Johnny Carter]] – backing vocals
@@ Line 125: / Line 130: @@
 ==Charts==
-The album spent only one week on the '''UK Album Charts''' on November 9, 1963 at #20.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chartstats.com/albuminfo.php?id=1843 |title=Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley Is A Gun Slinger |publisher=Chart Stats |date= |accessdate=2012-01-04}}</ref>
+The album spent one week on the UK Album Charts on November 9, 1963 at No. 20.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/archive/official-albums-chart/ |title=Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley Is A Gun Slinger |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=2012-01-04}}</ref>
-==Release History==
+==Release history==
 {|class="wikitable"
 |-
@@ Line 177: / Line 182: @@
 {{Bo Diddley}}
+{{Authority control}}
 [[Category:Bo Diddley albums]]
 [[Category:1962 albums]]
 [[Category:Checker Records albums]]
-[[Category:English-language albums]]
 [[Category:Albums produced by Leonard Chess]]
 [[Category:Albums produced by Phil Chess]]

v t e Bo Diddley
Singles	"Bo Diddley"/"I'm a Man" (1955) "Diddley Daddy"/"She's Fine, She's Mine" (1955) "Pretty Thing" (1955) "Diddy Wah Diddy" (1956) "Who Do You Love?" (1956) "Hey! Bo Diddley" (1957) "Before You Accuse Me" (1958) "Say Man" (1959) "Road Runner" (1960) "You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover" (1962)
Studio albums	Go Bo Diddley (1959) Have Guitar, Will Travel (1960) Bo Diddley in the Spotlight (1960) Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger (1960) Bo Diddley Is a Lover (1961) Bo Diddley's a Twister (1962) Bo Diddley (1962) Bo Diddley & Company (1962) Surfin' with Bo Diddley (1963) Two Great Guitars (1964) Hey! Good Lookin' (1965) Super Blues (1967) The Super Super Blues Band (1968) Another Dimension (1971) Where It All Began (1972) The London Bo Diddley Sessions (1973) Big Bad Bo (1974) Breaking Through the B.S. (1989) This Should Not Be (1992) A Man Amongst Men (1996)
Live albums	Bo Diddley's Beach Party (1963) Hey... Bo Diddley: In Concert (1986) Live at the Ritz (1988)
Compilation albums	Bo Diddley (1958) His Best (1997)
Collaborators	Billy Boy Arnold Lester Davenport Willie Dixon Harvey Fuqua Jerome Green Clifton James Johnnie Johnson Peggy Jones Jody Williams Norma-Jean Wofford
Related articles	Discography Bo Diddley beat
Category