Record #0078: Gee Whiz (Look At His Eyes) / For You – CARLA THOMAS

Atlantic 2086 (original) USA, Oct. 1960
Words & Music by:  Side A – Carla Thomas; Side B – Carla Thomas, Moman
Musicians: Carla Thomas (vocals), Steve Cropper (guitar), Booker T. Jones (piano), Lewie Steinberg  (bass), Al Jackson, Jr. (drums) and unknown sax, strings & chorus
Recording sessions: Thomas family home, Memphis, TN, 1960
Highest chart positions:  US #10, US R&B #5 (in 1961)

This has the beginnings of the legendary Stax Records written all over it. Thomas had just released her first single “’Cause I Love You” for Satellite Records, which was owned by future Stax owners Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton. Another factor is that she was being backed by what later became the house band of Stax, “Booker T. and the MGs”. 

Carla Thomas is the daughter of R&B star Rufus Thomas, who very actively promoted this hit record when it was released.

A very small batch of “Gee Whiz / For You” was first released by Satellite Records (Satellite 104). It is now a super rare piece and the list price for a Near Mint copy is $500.

List price:  Very Good+ is $7.50, Near Mint is $15