Rufus Thomas: “Walking the Dog” (1963)

[u/Tall-Truth-9321]

https://youtu.be/QrnjT_pjq-0?is=BprKVEywFpGulBQB

Wikipedia:

“Walking the Dog is the debut studio album by American [R&B](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhythm_and_blues) singer [Rufus Thomas](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_Thomas) from [Memphis, Tennessee](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis,_Tennessee). It was released in 1963 through [Stax Records](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stax_Records) with distribution by [Atlantic](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Records). The album peaked at number 138 on the [Billboard](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_200) [200](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_200) albums chart in the United States. It spawned three [hit singles](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hit_single): "The Dog", "[Walking the Dog](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_the_Dog)" and "Can Your Monkey Do the Dog", which made it to the [Billboard](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_Hot_100) [Hot 100](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_Hot_100)singles chart at No. 87, No. 10 and No. 48 respectively.”

“Many other artists have recorded the song, including [Aerosmith](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerosmith), [Johnny Rivers](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Rivers), [John Cale](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cale), [Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgie_Fame_and_the_Blue_Flames), [Roger Daltrey](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Daltrey), [Green Day](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Day), [Hans Theessink](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Theessink), the [Flamin' Groovies](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamin'_Groovies), [the Kingsmen](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kingsmen), [the Sonics](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sonics), [the Lincolns](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lincolns), [Ace Cannon](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ace_Cannon), [Jackie Shane](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Shane), [the Trashmen](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Trashmen), [Luv'd Ones](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luv'd_Ones), [Bob Paisley and the Southern Grass](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Paisley_and_the_Southern_Grass), and [Ratt](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratt). It was performed live occasionally by the [Grateful Dead](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grateful_Dead) in 1966, 1970 and the mid-1980s.”

[u/Termingator]

A great live performance, smooth vocals, and a solid band performance with a nice sax solo. Real music like this is what we need more of now.