Artist: Sparks Of Rhythm
Author: Andrew Barksdale/Charles Merenstein
Label: Apollo
Year: 1956
Vocal: Andrew Barksdale. Inspired by risky My Handy Man by Ethel Waters in '28, covered by Victoria Spivey, later by Maria Muldaur (as Handy Man). Shelved until Jimmy Jones' (ex Sparks Of Rhythm) hit version. All later versions credit Jones/Blackwell. Charles Merenstein was Apollo's label exec.
Covers:
Jimmy Jones [as The Whistlin' Man for Arrow]
Jimmy Jones [n°2 US (for Cub) seriously updated by Otis Blackwell; both authors claimes compensation from Culture Club for copying part of the refrain in Karma Chameleon and it was settled out of court]
Baris Manço [as Un Autre amour que toi]
Otis Blackwell [coauthor]
Smiths [melody in Reel Around The Fountain]
Extremely diverging versions; only the lyrics forge a family tie.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)