As far as Eddie Bo is concerned, he was winding up his association with Joe Banashak around then, and in October 0f ’68 he called himself ‘Roy Ward’ on the legendary “Horse With A Freeze” (219-2579/2580) on Seven B 7020… by July ’69, he had hooked with Al Scramuzza, and hit the big time with “Hook and Sling” (105-4041/4042) - on Scram 117.

SO - the ultra rare 45 you have may just be the last thing Bo did for Seven B, and was never released after Bo went with Scram!! Bo had succeeded Sax Kari as Banashak’s producer for his Instant label, and Huey ‘Piano’ Smith became the producer after Bo left - probably all the more reason that the record never saw the light of day… although, after Hook’ hit later in ’69, you’d think Banashak would have jumped on it… perhaps those pseudonyms (Roger & The Gypsies, Roy Ward etc.) were contractually related, and it couldn’t be released under Bo’s name, so a ‘coat-tails’ hit would be out of the question…

Interesting find. The sound is a speaker recording; it'd be easier to determine authenticity if it was straight from the mixer. No offense meant.

The A sounds like either 1) an odd, off Eddie vocal, 2) a pretty good Bocage vocal imitation by "Ronnie Walton," or 3) Eddie's in the background and trading jibes with a leading "Walton" (a la "Timber"). Reads very much like a Bocage lyric and production, honestly, and I've heard pretty much everything he's ever released. Honestly, it might be an unfinished Bo piece or bed that was closed out/topped off by a ringer when Bocage pulled up stakes.

The B definitely is not Bo singing, but it might well be a Bocage lyric and/or production with the same players. Some potential Bo-ballad touches are there - from the waltzy timing to the purposeful off-key vocal sustains right down to the complicated minor close.

Let Them Talk is of course a cover of Little Willie John. This is a cool arrangement though with the NOLA horns replacing the strings on the LWJ. The ending is indeed unique, taking its cue from the harmonies on the LWJ but with much more emphasis here.