Helen Shapiro – Fever

Helen Shapiro – Fever

A great example of Helen Shapiro's later-1960s-era Columbia singles, “Fever” was released in the UK in January 1964 on Columbia DB 7190. Shapiro puts her own energetic stamp on the classic song, following the success of earlier versions by artists including Little Willie John and Peggy Lee. Her recording reached No. 38 in the UK Singles Chart, making it her final UK Top 40 hit.

Rather than attempting to replicate Peggy Lee's sultry 1958 interpretation, Shapiro's version has a noticeably stronger beat and more forceful early-60s pop feel. Contemporary New Musical Express described the performance as more beat-driven and “rumbustious”, reflecting the changing sound of British pop as the Beat Boom was taking hold.

The B-side, “Ole Father Time”, is a non-album track written by Winfield Scott. Shapiro uses a dual-tracked vocal alongside a vocal group, backed by a pounding rhythm that gives the song a distinctly early-60s pop/beat character.

For collectors of Helen Shapiro, British beat, early-60s pop, R&B and Columbia Records 45s, this is a particularly interesting later single from an artist whose breakthrough hits such as “Don't Treat Me Like A Child” and “Walkin' Back To Happiness” had made her one of Britain's biggest young stars just a few years earlier.

Tracklist:

Side A
A1. Fever

Side B
B1. Ole Father Time