Screamin' Jay Hawkins.  Was there ever a name that wrought so many emotions and strong opinions?   
Todays selection is Screamin' Jay Hawkins cover of Ice Cream Man from his controversial album, Black Music For White People. 

In many ways Screamin' Jay was just an ignored opera singer - that's what he really wanted to be in life but no one in the classical community were in a mood for another black opera singer after Paul Robeson so Screamin Jay took up night clubbin' and developed an act that was part voodoo, religious snake handler, and he always had a coffin on stage and a skull he affectionately named Henry.      His music was bawdy, daring, even dangerous sounding.    But boy did he have soul.   

Ice Cream Man was originally written by John Brim.   But was probably more recognizable by the cover version recorded on 1973's self titled album by Van Halen.    So here are all three versions.   Enjoy.