1st RECORDING OF: Handy Man - Sparks Of Rhythm (1956)

The original 45rpm single was issued on Apollo 541 - Handy Man (Charles Merenstein-Andrew Barksdale) by Sparks Of Rhythm, recorded February 1, 1956
Quite a contrast from the joyful 1960 chart-topper by Jimmy Jones, this original minor-key 1956 treatment remained unissued until after the highly invigorated Jones version took off nearly four years later. As the story goes, Jones had been a member of the Sparks Of Rhythm prior to their recording of the song, and though he may have had a hand in writing it, the Sparks release did not include his name. The later Jones single did show him as co-writer with Otis Blackwell, who had assisted in reworking the song. The “Handy Man” hit also borrowed elements from his 1957 recording of “The Whistlin’ Man,” issued under the name Jimmy Jones & Jones Boys, as well as James Taylor.