Ray Lourde - If You Were the Only Girl (In The World) / Abbey's Boogie (Digital 45)

An ultra rare single originally released on the Chicago based Parrot Records label in 1953, with only two vinyl copies still known to exist today, features the under-recorded Minneapolis born, Afro American violinist Leon Abbey in a trio setting - featuring jazz bassist Rail Wilson and pianist Barrington Perry. The "A" side of this rare gem features the old vocal standard "If You Were the Only Girl (In The World)" with an odd but interesting spoken word vocal delivered by none other than label owner Al Benson. The "B" side features an instrumental Abbey original entitled "Abbey's Boogie" with fine soloing all around from all three musicians, reminiscent of jazz violinist Stuff Smith's Trio of the mid-1940s. This rare single is presented here newly remastered and in it's original format for the first time in decades.