‘Bim Bam Boom’ Salutes the ‘50s El Dorados

Hazel McCollum’s “Annie’s Answer” may have contained the first “safe-sex” message in rock ‘n’ roll.

In the weeks after the phenomenal success of Hank Ballard & the Midnighters’ “Work With Me Annie” in 1954, there was a series of “answer” records, most notably Etta James’ “Roll With Me Henry.”

One reason the original “Annie” caused such a stir was that the “work” in the title was widely interpreted by teens as a reference to sex. The suspicions were confirmed when the Midnighters returned with a follow-up titled “Annie Had a Baby.”

Jumping on the bandwagon, Vee-Jay Records released McCollum’s novelty “Annie’s Answer,” which was a heated denial that “Annie” was indeed pregnant.

Sample lyric: My name is Annie and I ought to know / The things you’ve been hearing about me ain’t so / I ain’t had no baby / Don’t want no baby / Don’t need no baby .

The record had the earmarks of a hit, but it didn’t catch on, possibly because a line in the song all but eliminated any chance of radio airplay: I ain’t had no baby ... ‘cause I know just what to do .

The largely unknown record resurfaces on the El Dorados’ “Bim Bam Boom,” a 25-song salute to the Chicago vocal group best known for its 1955 hit “At My Front Door.” The reason “Annie’s Answer” is included is that the backing vocal on the record was by the El Dorados, whose original lineup consisted of Arthur Basset, Pirkle Lee Moses Jr., Jewell Jones, Louis Bradley, James Maddox and Richard Nickens.

In the liner notes, Billy Vera, who supervises Vee-Jay Records’ ambitious retrospective series, says the single was cut at the end of the group’s second Vee-Jay recording session, which was apparently several weeks before the group recorded “At My Front Door.”

The latter was one of the most celebrated R&B; hits of the ‘50s, the kind of record that should have led to a string of hits. But the group never had another Top 10 pop single and only one other Top 10 R&B; hit, “I’ll Be Forever Loving You,” despite the many inviting tracks featured on the new album.

A previously unreleased El Dorados number, “Love of My Own,” is one of the 25 tracks on Vol. 1 of Vee-Jay’s “A Taste of Doo Wop.” The album showcases some of the vocal groups associated with the Chicago label. Among the other selections: Gladys Knight & the Pips’ first hit, “Every Bit of My Heart,” and a previously unreleased version of the Midnighters’ “The Twist.”