Chances are you’ve heard Peggy Lee’s iconic version of “Fever”– it’s one of the steamiest love songs ever written. But the original recording was released two years earlier by Little Willie John in 1956.
Little Willie John had a hit with “Fever," but after Peggy Lee recorded it in 1958, it became her signature song. Here’s Peggy Lee and “Fever” from a 1958 television show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0HsmpmFmNw&feature=related
Peggy Lee’s is still the best known version, despite remakes by the likes of Madonna and Beyonce.
Many blues artists have taken a crack at it, including Buddy Guy, James Cotton and Bobby Blue Bland.
“Fever” sounds perfectly natural as a Piedmont-style acoustic blues in Precious Bryant’s 2002 recording. Here’s a short clip of Precious Bryant playing another Piedmont blues:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjTgrgv4vCs
Since the 1970’s The Neville Brothers have been some of the most influential players in New Orleans rhythm and blues. Here’s an amazing live version of “Fever” from 1987:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQX2dTwrOGs
Here are the full versions of “Fever” tracked through time:
1956: “Fever” Little Willie John
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-987446.mp3
1958: “Fever” Peggy Lee
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-987442.mp3
2002: “Fever” Precious Bryant
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-987437.mp3
2008: “Fever” The Neville Brothers
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-987443.mp3
“The Blues Time Machine” is a weekly feature tracking one great blues song through time. The series is hosted by John Kessler, from KPLU’s “All Blues,” and is published here every Friday and airs on KPLU 88.5 on Fridays at 12:10 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
