Thomas Mitchell on Flash

Thomas Mitchell

CP-5031 - Conscience Let Me Be
CP-5032 - I'm A Wise Ole Cat

Flash Records #108
1961

Offered on eBay (12 hours left). I've seen it listed in Rockabilly Price Guides with an estimate value between 40 and 60 US dollars. However, I believe that this is an underestimated value... We'll see very soon. (the copy offered is in VG shape).

I've never seen before a label shot of this rare Fernwood Records custom recording. Rockin' Country Style lists the record and gives a Tyler, Texas address, which is certainly wrong.

"I'm A Wise Ole Cat" has been compiled a number of times, including by Stomper Time (Stomper Time STCD7, 1998) Fernwood Rockabillies. Its liner notes has this comment :

Thomas Mitchell also seems to have recorded his marvellous 'I'm a Wise Old cat' sometime in 1960. Immensely popular on the European Club Scene, this track has been 'Bootlegged' on a number of occasions. It's a steaming 'Rocker' in the best Memphis tradition with great instrumental breaks. Issued on Flash records, Thomas Mitchell seems to have been just that--a flash in time, Two Minutes and Fifteen Seconds of Rockabilly Heaven and gone! We do know that Thomas came from Shreveport, Louisiana, played the Hayride & made one tasty 45 for Mercury 'Little Mama/Jukebox help me find my Baby'.

The above information has at least one mistake : Tommy Mitchell on Mercury is a different artist. He was a Tom Fleeger protégé from Texas (or Shreveport?), appearing on various shows in Dallas « Saturday Night Shinding » , "Big D Jamboree" etc.

According to my research, Thomas Mitchell real name is likely Thomas Mitchell May, born on 07/03/1922 and died on 09/01/1999. Thomas May is buried in the cemetery: Mt Zion Cemetery , located in Independence, Ms.

If my assumption is correct he is the same Thomas Mitchell May who operated the Flash label out of Senatobia, Mississippi.

Flash Records discography
Senatobia (Ms.)

Publisher : Kingdom Music BMI


1550 Alvin Stone
Naggin' Woman / Don't Take My Love For Granted

1551 Thomas Mitchell with Shirley & Joe Music by the Country Lads
If It Had Not Been For You / Floor Walking

1552 Brothers Five
Just A Little Talk With Jesus/No Tears In Heaven

1553 Hank Mizell - Jim Bobo With The Brothers Five
Ramshackled Homestead / Little Bill's Goodbye

1553 Kingbeats (1964)
I've Been A Bad Boy / I'll Tell My Mama On You

1554 The Phantoms (1965)
Workin Tired / Gonna Be Nice Tonight

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