Alvin "Shine" Robinson (December 22, 1937 – January 25, 1989),[1] sometimes credited as Al Robinson, was an American rhythm and blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter, based in New Orleans. His recording of "Something You Got" reached the BillboardHot 100 in 1964.
Biography
He was born in New Orleans, and by the late 1950s was established as a session musician in the city. In 1961, he recorded for Imperial Records in New Orleans, with "I'm Leaving You Today" betraying his influence by Ray Charles.[2][3] His management was soon taken over by singer Joe Jones, who had had a hit with "You Talk Too Much" and who won Robinson a recording contract with Tiger Records, a new label set up in New York City by songwriters and record producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.[4] In 1964, he recorded a version of Chris Kenner's song "Something You Got".[4] The song, featuring Robinson's "fantastically bluesy growl",[5] rose to no.52 on the Billboard pop chart.[6][7]
He moved with Leiber and Stoller to their next label, Red Bird Records, and recorded "Down Home Girl", a song written by Leiber with Artie Butler, arranged by Joe Jones, and produced by Leiber and Stoller. Although the record was critically acclaimed, and was regarded by Leiber and Stoller as the best record issued on the Red Bird label, it was not a commercial success,[4] but was covered by the Rolling Stones on their 1965 album The Rolling Stones No. 2.[7] Robinson's later recordings for Red Bird and its subsidiary Blue Cat label, including a reshaped version of "Let The Good Times Roll" arranged by Wardell Quezergue, also failed to reach the charts.[5]
