BARBARA MASON-GIVE ME YOUR LOVE.

dereksmusicblog ♦ June 1, 2012 ♦ 1 Comment

BARBARA MASON-GIVE ME YOUR LOVE.

By 1973, Barbara Mason had signed to Buddah Records, which quickly, had established an enviable roster of artists. Barbara joined musical giants like Gladys Knight and The Pips and The Trammps at Buddah. Before arriving at Buddah Records, Barbara had released three previous albums. This started with her 1965 debut album Yes I’m Ready, on Arctic Records. It reached number 129 in the US Billboard 200. Three years later, in 1968, Oh How It Hurts was released on Arctic Records, reaching just number forty-two in the US R&B Charts. Having switched labels to National General, If You Knew Him released in 1970, failed to chart. Things would improve for Barbara having signed to Buddah Records. She would go on to released three albums for Buddah between 1973 and 1974. Give Me Your Love, released in 1973, was the first of these albums, followed by Lady Love and Transition in 1974. Of these three albums, Give Me Your Love was the most successful. On Give Me Your Love, Barbara was backed by some of Philly’s finest musicians, which gave the track its unmistakable Philly Sound. After I’ve told you about the making of Give Me Your Love, I’ll tell you about the music on the album.

Of the nine tracks on Give Me Your Love, these tracks are a mixture of ballads and more uptempo tracks. Barbara wrote to of the tracks on the album, Yes, I’m Ready and You Can Be With the One You Don’t Love. Two tracks by David Gates also featured on Give Me Your Love. These were Everything I Own and Who Will Hurt You Next. Curtis Mayfield wrote the album’s title-track Give Me Your Love, which he’d written for the Superfly soundtrack. Another track Barbara covered was Let Me Into Your Life, written by Bill Withers, which had featured on his 1972 album Still Bill. Along with three other tracks, these songs would make up Barbara Mason’s fourth album, her first for his new label Buddah Records. 

Recording of Give Me Your Love would take place at Philadelphia’s Sigma Sound Studios, with some of Philly’s finest musicians accompanying Barbara. This included the Baker, Harris, Young rhythm section, who were part of M.F.S.B., Philadelphia International’s legendary house-band. Among the other musicians were guitarist Bobby Eli, pianist Leon Huff and organist Lenny Pakula. Vince Montana Jr played vibes and percussion, plus arranged seven of the nine tracks. The unmistakable sound of Don Renaldo’s strings and horns would also grace the album. Providing backing vocals were The Sweethearts of Sigma, Barbara Ingram, Evette Benson and Carla Benson. Joining them, were Bunny Sigler plus Kenny Gamble and The Corner Boys. Truly, this was an all-star cast of Philly’s greatest musicians, arrangers and backing singers. However, another famous singer, songwriter and producer would produce two of the tracks on Give Me Your Love, Curtis Mayfield.

Give Me Your Love and You Can Be With the One You Don’t Love had been recorded in the Windy City of Chicago, at Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom Studios. Curtis produced both tracks, while Richie Tufo arranged them. This connection came about when Barbara had been asked to work with Curtis on Give Me Your Love, which would be on the Superfly soundtrack. Somewhat ironically, when Barbara recorded Give Me Your Love and released it as a single, it fared better than Curtis’ original. Barbara’s version reached number thirty-one in the US Billboard 100 and number nine in the US R&B Charts. However, that was all in the future. Before that came the release of Give Me Your Love, Barbara Mason’s first album for her new record company Buddah Records.

On the release of Give Me Your Love, the album would become Barbara’s most successful album. It reached number ninety-five in the US Billboard 200 and number seventeen in the US R&B Charts. The first single released was Bed and Board, which reached number seventy in the US Billboard 100 and number twenty-four in the US R&B Charts. Then came the release of the title-track Give Me Your Love, produced by Curtis Mayfield. This became the most successful single released from  the album reaching number thirty-one in the US Billboard 100 and number nine in the US R&B Charts. One further single was released, the rerecorded version of Barbara’s biggest hit Yes, I’m Ready. Sadly, it didn’t replicate the success of its original release in 1965, where it had reached number five in the US Billboard 100 and number two in the US R&B Charts. Instead, it stalled at number 125 in the US Billboard 100. The release of Give Me Your Love had seen Barbara Mason’s career revitalized. Why was this and what made Give Me Your Love so successful? That’s what I’ll tell you, after I’ve told you about the music on Give Me Your Love.

Opening Give Me Your Love, and this new chapter in Barbara Mason’s career, was a song from her past Yes I’m Ready. This had been Barbara’s biggest hit single, back in 1965. This reinterpretation is very different, a nine minute Magnus Opus, where Barbara’s vocal veers between tender and heartfelt, to a half-spoken vamp. From the start, the Philly influence is unmistakable. The Baker, Harris, Young rhythm section combine with Don Renaldo’s strings and horns, while the Sweethearts of Sigma sweep in and out.  Their voices are gentle and subtle. Swathes of strings lushly sweep, while Vince Montana’s vibes and percussion augment the arrangement. Meanwhile, Barbara’s vocal is heartfelt, growing in power, while Kenny Gamble and The Corner Boys add harmonies, and the Sweethearts of Sigma’s cooing, beautiful backing vocals are ever-present. For nine minutes, Barbara doesn’t so much reinterpret the track, but deconstructs it, and in reconstructing it, exploring its every nuance and subtlety. She’s in the best place to  rebuilds the track, having written it. With Vince Montana’s help, this results in a very beautiful, heartfelt and impassioned version, that’s even better than the original.

When I Fall In Love is a track that many artists have covered. These versions can be divided into three categories, the good, the bad and the ugly. This version, which glides into being, is very definitely one of the best version’s I’ve heard. Strings slowly glide above the arrangement, while the rhythm section and percussion combine. Stabs of Hammond organ drift in, joining flourishes of guitar. By now the arrangement is dramatic, matching Barbara’s vocal. It’s emotive, full of passion, with the Sweethearts of Sigma adding backing vocals. Sometimes, they answer Barbara’s call, but mostly, deliver tight sweeping harmonies. They add to the beauty of the track, complimenting the emotion and drama in Barbara’s vocal, as she demonstrates just how the track should be sung.

David Gates of Bread wrote two tracks on Give Me Your Love, with Everything I Own the first of these. Grand bursts of strings open the track, before Barbara’s thoughtful, tender vocal enters. Quickly, the track opens up, the arrangement growing, with the strings joined by the rhythm section and the Sweethearts of Sigma. Their vocals are understated, before later, soaring soulfully. Barbara’s emotional reading of the lyrics brings out their beauty, while the arrangement veering between an understated and dramatic sound. Key to this is the rhythm section, strings and Barbara’s vocal. Together, they combine to bring new meaning to this familiar track, bringing out the beauty in David Gates’ lyrics, while adding a vital ingredient…soul.

Let Me In Your Life is a track from Bill Withers’ Still Bill album. Soaring backing vocals courtesy of the Sweethearts of Sigma, combine with the rhythm section and dramatic strings, accompanying Barbara’s half-spoken vocal. Soon, her vocal grows in power and emotion, with sad strings, percussion and backing vocalists sweeping in and out. Guitars chime, while strings and backing vocalists reflect the emotion in Barbara’s pleading vocal. As Barbara pleas, the so do the Sweethearts of Sigma. Their addition and the way their pleading backing vocals are used to build up the emotion and heartache in the track. Along with one of Barbara’s best vocals on the album, this is one of the highlights of Give Me Your Love.

Bed & Board was a track that Bobby Flax and Lenny Lambert cowrote. Slow strings sweep elegantly and gracefully, while blazing horns combine with the rhythm section, keyboards and percussion. Then come Barbara’s  impassioned vocal. Her delivery is heartfelt and emotive, while the arrangement meanders along, Norman Harris and Bobby Eli’s guitars combining as the arrangement reflects the emotion and heartache in Barbara’s vocal. Later, The Sweethearts of Sigma accompany Barbara. Her band play with a subtlety and passion, allowing Barbara’s vocal to take centre-stage. This results in a powerful, moving and thoughtful track, that’s another of the highlights of Give Me Your Love.

Who Will You Hurt Next is the second David Gates’ penned track. It’s very different from Everything I Own. Whereas some people might think Everything I Own is a sugary, schmaltzy track, this is totally different and I would say much better. Lush strings, rhythm section, vibes and percussion accompany Barbara’s tender vocal. Although it’s full of hurt, she’s angry and frustrated. Backing vocalists accompany her, while flourishes of strings, rhythm section and blazing horns add to the track’s drama and emotion. What sounds like one of Thom Bell’s trademark lone horn sounds punctuates the arrangement, playing its part in the build up to the track’s emotive and dramatic ending.

You Can Be With The One You Don’t Love was produced by Curtis Mayfield, with Richie Tufo arranging the track. Straight away, the sound is different. Swathes of strings cascade, quivering and shivering while the rhythm section play slowly and backing vocalists accompany Barbara’s emotive, passionate delivery. Unlike the previous tracks, the arrangement sounds different, even the string sound. Having said that, it’s still a quality arrangement, but one minus Baker, Harris, Young, Don Renaldo’s strings and horns and the Sweethearts of Sigma. Despite those missing vital ingredients, Barbara’s vocal has the same quality and is just as impassioned as previous tracks.

Out Of This World sees us leave Chi Town, heading back to Philly for the final time. All the familiar faces are there, ready to accompany Barbara. Her voice is strong, heartfelt and accompanied by the Sweethearts of Sigma. Behind her, the rhythm section, lush strings and guitars combine. The rhythm section are key to the track, punctuating the arrangement with bursts of drama, while strings reflect the beauty in Barbara’s vocal. Backing vocalists play their part, accompanying Barbara, providing the perfect backdrop for her joyous, thankful vocal.

Closing Give Me Your Love is another track produced in the Windy City. It’s written and produced by Curtis Mayfield. This is very different in sound and style. You can hear why the track would sit well on a Blaxploitation album, given the way the song flows, revealing its dramatic secrets. Strings cascade, bursts of blazing horns and a pounding rhythm section combine with wah-wah guitars. Barbara’s vocal has a breathy, sensuous sound, with equally sensual backing vocalists accompanying her. The longer the track goes on, the harder resistance is. Eventually, all you can do is submit to the track’s charms, especially Barbara’s sensual vocal.

Give Me Your Love, which was Barbara Mason’s first album for Buddah Records saw an upturn in her fortunes. It reached number ninety-five in the US Billboard 200 and number seventeen in the US R&B Charts. Not only was the album a commercial success, but so were the singles released from the album. This got Barbara’s career  at Buddah Records of to a promising start. Since then, Give Me Your Love has became Barbara’s most successful album. The album’s success is down to various things. This includes the choice of material on Give Me Your Love. When you first see the album’s track-listing, you wonder why several tracks were chosen, including the David Gates’ penned Everything I Own. To many people, it’s sugary and schmaltzy, but in the hands of Barbara the song is transformed, with a vital ingredient added…soul. A surprising cover version on the album is When I Fall In Love. Of the many previous cover versions, they remind me of a Clint Eastwood movie, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Barbara’s version is one of the best versions I’ve heard, demonstrating the way the song should be sung. Two tracks Yes, I’m Ready and You Can Be With the One You Don’t Love demonstrate Barbara’s talent as a songwriter. Another important factor in the album’s success are the musicians, backing vocalists, arrangers and producers who worked on the album. With musicians like Baker, Harris, Young, Bobby Eli, Vince Montana and Don Renaldo playing on the album, it’s no wonder the album sounds so good. Their combined talents are key to Give Me Your Love’s sound and success. However, the most important factor in the success of Give Me Your Love is Barbara’s stunning voice. Together with some of Philly’s finest musicians, Barbara Mason’s first album for Buddah Records Give Me Your Love’s  is an album you should let into your life. Standout Tracks: Yes I’m Ready, Let Me In Your Life, Bed and Board and Who Will You Hurt Next.

BARBARA MASON-GIVE ME YOUR LOVE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBzYbXdgMo0