RONNIE McNEIR-MAKES A MOVE.
Ronnie McNeir-Makes A Move.
Label: Kent Soul.
Format: CD.
It’s always exciting to discover a lost album. I’ve discovered a number of lost albums over the years, and still, it’s exciting to listen to an album that was recorded forty or more years ago. It’s like going back in time, and eavesdropping on the session.
Apart from either an artist or group, their producer and engineer, nobody else has heard the album since it was recorded. For whatever reason, the album was never released and often, the tapes are left gathering dust.
There could be many reasons for that. This includes the old favourite “artistic difficulties.” Basically, the group fell out after recording the album, and the album was shelved. The group’s one shot at glory often then lies unheard for half a lifetime.
Occasionally master tapes are lost by an artist. I was involved with an album where the tapes were thought to be lost, stolen or destroyed, but turned up thirty years after the album was completed. The tapes were discovered by the artist in a box in a dusty basement. Upon listening to the album, I realised it was an important find, and within seven months, this groundbreaking album was released to widespread critical acclaim.
Similarly, the tapes to another album that was recorded in the late-seventies and early-eighties were only discovered in 2023. By then, the group had long since split-up and its cofounder and driving force had passed away. Listening to the music for the first time, there was a sense of anticipation and excitement as I was transported back in time, and taken behind the Iron Curtain. Although the genre-melting music hadn’t been mastered, it was innovative, way ahead of its time and pushed musical boundaries to their limits, and sometimes, way beyond. Soon, a deal had been done with one of the biggest independent labels to release the album. It was hailed as the album that featured what was a successful group at the peak of its powers.
However, sometimes, a lost album is recorded at the start of an artist’s career, way before they enjoy commercial success and critical acclaim. That was the case with the twelve tracks on Ronnie McNeir’s lost album ‘Makes A Move,’ which was recently released by Kent Soul. By then, McNeir was twenty.
McNeir was born on 14th, December 1943, in Camden, Alabama. He was born into a musical family. His grandfather played trumpet, while his mother played piano and sang. Later, his brother would play organ in church. Before that, the McNeir family were on the move.
Seeking a better life, they headed north to Pontiac, Michigan, where McNeir’s father started work in the automobile industry. McNeir was only six months old when the family made the move to Pontiac. However, the move meant that the family had a regular and steady source of income.
Pontiac was also where McNeir’s musical journey began. Aged nine, he started piano lessons. However, after about six months he stoped going to the lessons. Despite this, by the time he was ten or eleven, McNeir discovered he could play by ear.
Around the age of twelve, McNeir started writing songs. This was the start of a long and successful career.
In 1965, thirteen year old McNeir entered, and won a competition on WCHB, the Detroit-based radio station. By then, he was being influenced by soul, gospel and Motown. Especially Marvin Gaye and David Ruffin.
Music wasn’t McNeir’s only interest. He was a keen and talented basketball player, and harboured an ambition to become a pro. However, sadly, a car accident meant these dreams were at an end, and McNeir decided to try and make a career out of music.
The following year, 1966, McNeir made his recording debut. He penned ‘Sitting In My Class.’ McNeir’s father knew Doc Kyle, who owned the De-To label and Detroit Sound Recording Company. Kyle signed McNeir to De-To, and ’Sitting In My Class’ was released later in 1966. However, the single failed to trouble the charts.
It was a familiar story, Kyle failed to promote the single properly. Kyle had previously been program director of a local radio station, and after retiring, moved into artist management. The studio was more of a hobby for Kyle, and it seems so was the De-To label.
However, by the mid-seventies, ’Sitting In My Class’ was a favourite on the UK’s Northern Soul scene. By then, McNeir’s career was well underway.
Before that, McNeir moved to California, and started singing in a church choir with Rene Moore. That was where Kim Weston, who was a member of the church, first met McNeir in 1971 and recognised his talents.
A member of the church asked Weston to speak to McNeir. When she met him, she liked him and decided to introduce McNeir to her husband Mickey Stevenson, who was a songwriter and producer who previously, had worked at Motown. However, Stevenson was about to take up a role as executive producer at RCA. The meeting between Stevenson and McNeir was a fortuitous one for both men.
Stevenson signed McNeir to RCA, and later in 1971, he began recording tracks for his debut album. Eventually, McNeir had recorded over twenty tracks. Eleven of these tracks became McNeir’s critically acclaimed self-titled debut album. It was released by RCA and showcased a talented and versatile singer, songwriter and musician. McNeir effortlessly switched between soul, jazz and R&B, his delivery heartfelt, emotive and as if he had lived and survived the lyrics. Great things were forecast for McNeir after the release of his debut album.
Despite that, McNeir never released anther album for RCA, and the other tracks lay unreleased. It wasn’t until March 2019 that the tapes were discovered in Stevenson’s archive by Alec Palao and Ady Croasdell of Ace Records.
Six years later, twelve tracks from the tapes were released as ‘Makes A Move.’ Eight of the tracks McNeir cowrote. This included ‘Let’s Make A Move,’ ‘I’m Sorry,’ ‘Ronnie’s Bag 1’ and ‘Ronnie’ Bag 2 with Andre Moore. McNeir penned ‘My Day Will Come,’ ‘Tell Your Mama’ ‘Eastside, Westside’ and the instrumental ‘East Side with his wife Mona.
The other four tracks were cover versions. This included Bob Dylan’s ‘Blowin’ In The Wind,’ Eddie Holland and Eddie Kendricks and Norman Whitfield’s ‘The Girls Alright With Me.’ Robert Dobyne, Charles Jones and Robert Staunton penned ‘Say You.’ There’s two versions on the album, including the Long Version.
Opening the album is the title-track, ’Makes A Move.’ It’s funky soulful and dancefloor friendly. The soul-baring ‘I’m Sorry’ features a heartfelt vocal from McNeir who was only twenty when he recorded the track.
This is followed by two cover versions. The first is a joyous reading of ‘The Girls Alright With Me.’ It comes complete with soaring backing vocals and bursts of blazing horns. Then ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’ is transformed into an uptempo, vivacious and soulful song. The rhythm section drive the arrangement along, and it’s punctuated by horns. They provide the accompaniment to an impassioned vocal. The result is a version that’s very different to the original, but loses some of the meaning of Dylan’s lyrics.
‘My Day Will Come’ is a beautiful, cinematic ballad which features a heartfelt vocal from McNeir. It’s without doubt the highlight of the album.
‘Say You’ was originally recorded by The Monitors in 1965, when they were signed to Motown. The long version sees McNeir reinvent the track. He slows the tempo and it becomes a laidback and sensual ballad
Another of the highlights of the album is ‘Tell Your Mama.’ McNeir delivers a needy, pleading vocal and is joined by female backing vocalists on this tale of hope, hurt and heartache. Then ‘Eastside, Westside’ is funky and soulful with lyrics full of social comment. It’s all change on the Ronnie’s Bag 1’ which heads in the direction of jazz, before ‘Ronnie’ Bag 2’ combines funk and fusion. The two tracks showcase McNeir’s talent and versatility.
McNeir is at his most soulful on ‘Say You,’ as he breathes life, meaning and emotion into this beautiful ballad.
Closing ‘Makes A Move’ is ‘Eastside, Westside – Long Instrumental’ where McNeir enjoys the opportunity to stretch his legs as he combines musical genres to close the album on a hight.
In 1971, McNeir recorded the twelve tracks that belatedly became ‘Makes A Move.’ He was only twenty, and a truly talented singer, songwriter and musician. McNeir cowrote eight of the twelve tracks on an album that features everything from soul and R&B to funk, fusion and jazz. Throughout the album McNeir’s vocal brings the lyrics to life, breathing meaning and emotion into them.
Quite simply, Ronnie McNeir’s lost album ‘Makes A Move’ is a tantalising taste of what was still to come from a talented and versatile singer, songwriter and musician, who would go on to enjoy widespread critical acclaim and commercial success during a long career.
Ronnie McNeir-Makes A Move.
JON SAVAGE’S 1986-1990 ROLLIN’ UNDER THE MELODY.
Jon Savage’s 1986-1990 Rollin Under The Melody.
Label: Ace.
Format: 2 CD.
Jon Savage’s 1986-1990 Rollin Under The Melody is the final compilation in what’s been, a long running series. This is the eleventh compilation in a series that began in 2018. However, does the series end on a high?
During the period between 1986-1990, music was changing and new genres were emerging on both sides of the Atlantic. This was nothing new, as music has constantly changed. That was the case in 1965. The year was documented in Jon Savage’s 1965 – The Year The Sixties Ignited, which was the first volume in the series.
Subsequent volumes documented how music continued to evolve, and documents the advent of new genres. This included everything from psychedelia, folk-rock, pop-psych, sunshine pop and progressive rock. That’s not forgetting glam rock, pub rock, Krautrock, punk, new wave, techno, rap and indie. Music continued to evolve between 1965 and 1985, which the previous volumes in this series covers.
At the forefront of many of these musical movements were groundbreaking musicians, pioneers who were willing to push musical boundaries to their limits, and sometimes, beyond. This they were often doing against a background of seismic societal change. It wasn’t just music that was changing, but also the world.
These changes were documented throughout the series. For those who didn’t live through these times, it’s a taster of the music that was made and released, and also gives a glimpse into what was an ever-changing world.
That continues in the final volume of the series, Jon Savage’s 1986-1990 Rollin Under The Melody. It features thirty tracks on two CDs. It’s an eclectic collection of tracks that ranges from baggy and house to post-punk, proto-grunge. That’s not forgetting minimalist avant-garde, neo-psychedelia and dance rock.
Disc One.
Opening disc one is the instrumental version of ‘Mystery Of Love’ by Mr Fingers. It was released by Alleviated Music in late 1985, and was the groundbreaking debut from Chicago house pioneer. Later, Larry Heard aka Mr Fingers, would release Washing Machine and Amnesia, which were two more highlights of a long and illustrious career.
In February 1986, Edinburgh-based Shop Assistants enjoyed an indie hit with ‘Safety Net.’ It was released on the 53rd & 3rd label. It’s a track that owes much to punk, and even maybe, the Velvet Underground. However, it’s not aged well despite its message about who fragile life is.
Cameo’s ‘Word Up!’ was released in 1986 gave the group the biggest hit of their career. It reached the top ten in twelve countries, and topped the US R&B charts. No wonder. It was an infectiously catchy fusion of funk, soul, R&B and rock that was a favourite of dancers and DJs.
‘Theme From S-Express’ was released on Rhythm King by S-Express in April 1988. Sampling was used extensively to produce what was an uplifting and anthemic house track with a feelgood sound.
The Primitives were formed in Coventry in 1985, and released ‘Crash’ on RCA in early 1988. It’s a song that’s been influenced and inspired by the music of the sixties and seventies. The result is a hook-laden and melodic mixture of indie pop and rock. It features one of Tracy Tracy’s finest vocals and it’s no surprise that it gave the group a top five singles.
‘Che’ by Spacemen 3 was released in November 1988. It’s a cover of a track from Suicide’s debut album. However, here Spaceman 3’s cover is a mesmeric example of mood-changing neo-psychedelia.
Closing disc one is ‘Full Fathom Five’ by The Stone Roses. It was the B-Side of the single ‘Elephant Stone’ when it was released as a CD maxi single in 1988. ‘Full Fathom Five’ is ‘Elephant Stone’ played backwards with the group overdubbing vocals and guitars to add to what’s a mixture of rock, psychedelia and post punk.
Side Two.
One of Todd Terry’s aliases in the late-eighties was Black Riot. Using the pseudonym, Terry released ‘A Day In The Life (Club Mix); in November 1988. He combines house, rap and samples to create a dancefloor filler that’s stood the test of time.
When Fine Young Cannibals released ‘She Drives Me Crazy’ in December 1988, it was their fifth single. It was also their most successful single, reaching number five and topping the US Billboard 100. The track was recorded in Prince’s Paisley Park studio, and is a fusion of Roland Gift’s unmistakable falsetto vocal, synthesised drums, beeping, squeaking synths and guitars that veer between jangling and jazzy to full blown power chords. The result was the group’s finest hour.
For many people, A.C. Marias’ single ‘One Of Our Girls Has Gone Missing will fall into the category of a hidden gem. It was released on Mute in February 1990, and features an ethereal, wistful and trouble vocal from Angela Conway. She was a video director, which is how she met Wire guitarist Bruce Gilbert. They combine to create what’s welcome inclusion to the compilation.
Soho weren’t an overnight success. Two years after releasing their debut single, ‘Hippychick (No Acid Ted Mix)’ gave them a hit on both sides of the Atlantic in 1990. There’s anger in the vocal in a track that combines pop, eighties electronic music, nineties Nu-Soul and even rock. The result was the most successful track of Soho’s career and undoubtedly the best.
Neil Young wrote ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart,’ and his version is, the definitive version. It’s been covered by many artists and bands over the years. This includes Saint Etienne in May 1990. Sarah Cracknell delivers a hopeful vocal against a genre-melting vocal that shuffles along. Good as it is, doesn’t come close to reaching the heights of Young’s original, which is a classic.
‘The Only One I Know’ features The Charlatans at the peak of their powers. This fusion of psychedelia and rock was released in May 1990 as the group’s sophomore single. It reached number nine in the UK, and was without doubt, their finest single and is a also a reminder of what was christened by cultural commentators as the summer of baggy.
Closing disc two is ‘Take Your Time’ by The High. The single was released in on London in October 1990, and is a truly mesmeric and oft-overlooked slice of psychedelia by the Manchester-band.
These are just some of the tracks on Jon Savage’s 1986-1990 Rollin Under The Melody. It’s the eleventh and last compilation in this long-running series. Does it bring the series to a close on a high? Not really. While this eclectic compilation is long on quality, there are several tracks that disappoint. There are many better tracks that were released between 1986-1990 that would’ve been worthy candidates for inclusion. As a result, Jon Savage’s 1986-1990 Rollin Under The Melody is a good, but not great compilation. Some of the earlier compilations in the series are much better. Having said that, for anyone who lived through this period, then Jon Savage’s 1986-1990 Rollin Under The Melody may well be of interest to them.
Jon Savage’s 1986-1990 Rollin Under The Melody.
ISAAC HAYES-1969-1972.
Isaac Hayes-1969-1972.
Isaac Lee Hayes Jr was born on 20th, August 1942 in Covington, Tennessee. He was the second child of Eula and Isaac Lee Hayes Sr. However, tragedy struck when Hayes’ mother died when he was young. The situation got even worse when his father abandoned his young family.
Fortunately, Hayes’ maternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Willie Wade Sr. brought their grandchildren family up. Hayes grew in the Tennessee counties of Shelby and Tipton and worked on local farms. This was also where his musical career began.
Aged just five, Hayes started singing in the local church choir. Growing up, he taught himself to play piano, Hammond organ, flute and saxophone. Little did Hayes realise that he would eventually make a career out of music.
Hayes dropped out of Manassas High School, in Memphis, and got a job in a meat-packing plant. It was a case of needs must, as he had to support his closest family. At night, Hayes played in juke joints and nightclubs in northern Mississippi.
In the late fifties, Hayes made his debut as a singer at Curry’s Club, in North Memphis. That night, he was backed by Ben Branch’s houseband. Another alumni of Branch’s band was Donald “Duck” Dunn, who joined the band in 1961. Later, he found fame with Booker T and The MGs at Stax, where he would work with Hayes. That was all in the future.
Before that, Hayes’ former teachers at Manassas High School encouraged him to complete his high school. Belatedly, he graduated aged twenty-one. By then, he had already released his debut single.
This was “Laura (We’re On Our Last Go Ro-Round),” which was released in 1962, on Chips Moman and Sy Rosenberg’s Youngstown label. Although the single received some radio play and was popular in Tennessee, it failed to make an impression nationally. That would come later for Hayes.
By 1963, he was working as a session musician at Stax in Memphis. In January 1964, Hayes added the vocal to “Yank Me Doodle” by The Baracudas. However, most of his time was spent working as a session musician and as a songwriter.
However, in January 1964 “Sweet Temptation” was released as a single on Brunswick. On the B-side was Hayes’ debut single “Laura (We’re On Our Last Go Ro-Round).” The single failed commercially. Hayes continued to work at Stax.
Hayes worked with various songwriting partners, and also wrote many songs. Then between 1964 and 1969, Hayes forged a successful songwriting and production partnership with David Porter. The pair penned songs for Carla Thomas, Johnnie Taylor, The Soul Children, William Bell, The Emotions and Mable John. One of their most successful and iconic songs during Stax’s blue label years was “Soul Man” which gave Sam and Dave a huge hit. This was one of the most successful of over fifty songs Hayes and Porter wrote. By the time their partnership came to an end, Hayes’ had already embarked upon a solo career.
In 1965, Sir Isaac and The Do Dads released “Blue Groove” as a single on Volt. However, this mediocre bluesy instrumental failed to trouble the charts, and it was another three years before Hayes released another single.
This was “Precious Precious,” a track from Hayes’ debut album “Presenting Isaac Hayes.” It was released in March 1968 and again, failed to trouble the charts. However, Hayes’ debut album faired better, reaching 102 in the US Billboard 200 and twenty-five in the US R&B chart. His next album was the start of the most successful period of Hayes career at Stax.
Hayes released nine singles between 1969-1972. They were released on the Stax imprint, Enterprise.
Following the release of his debut album, Hayes demanded full that A&R executive granted him full creative control if he was going to record a followup. Bell agreed and this paid off.
Hayes released his sophomore album “Hot Buttered Soul” in June 1969. It was a landmark album that veered between symphonic soul to funk. Accompanied by The Bar Kays, Hayes recorded just four tracks that lasted over forty-five minutes. This seminal album was a future classic. It reached number eight in the US Billboard 200, topped the US R&B chart and was certified gold. There was also the small matter of two hit singles.
“Walk On By” and the Jimmy Webb composition “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” were released as a double-A side in July 1969. Both tracks had to be edited. The version of “Walk On By” on the album was edited from just over twelve minutes and three seconds to four minutes and twenty seconds. “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” which was 18.42 was edited to six minutes forty-five seconds. Both showcased Hayes new symphonic soul sound and were hit singles. “Walk On By” reached thirty in the US Billboard 100 and thirteen in the US R&B chart. “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” reached thirty-seven in the US Billboard 100 and US R&B charts. Hayes new sound was successful and Bell’s decision to grant him full creative control paid off.
In November 1969, Hayes released “The Mistletoe And Me” as a single. It’s a slice of festive symphonic soul, but was a weak track. Slightly better is the ballad on the B-Side, “Winter Snow.” This festive single failed to chart, which must have been a disappointment to Hayes.
“The Isaac Hayes Movement” was the name given to Hayes’ band by Marvell Thomas, and was also the title of his third album. It featured four cover versions, and was released to plaudits and praise in April 1970. Just like “Hot Buttered Soul,” it was a polished album of complex symphonic soul. It also reached number eight in the US Billboard 200, topped the US R&B chart for seven weeks and was certified gold. This was Hayes’ second gold album.
An edited version of “I Stand Accused” was released as a single in August 1970. The version on the album was eleven minutes and thirty-nine seconds, with a five minute spoken word intro. It was edited to six minutes and fifty seconds and features an impassioned and hurt-filled vocal by Hayes. On the B-Side is a beautiful seven minute symphonic soul cover of Bacharach and David’s “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself.” However, the single stalled at forty-two in the US Billboard 100 and twenty-three in the US R&B charts. Hayes’ albums were more successful than his single.
That was the case with his fourth album “…To Be Continued.” It was released to critical acclaim on November 28, 1970. The album which combined symphonic soul with jazz and funk reached number eleven in the US Billboard 200 and was his third consecutive album to top the US R&B. However, the singles didn’t replicate this success.
The dramatic and sensual symphonic soul of “Ike’s Mood Pt 1” was chosen as the single, but failed to trouble the charts. On the B-Side was a cover of Bacharach and David’s classic “The Look Of Love.” It was transformed into a heartfelt symphonic soul ballad, but stalled at seventy-nine in the US Billboard 100.
Hayes next single “Never Can Say Goodbye,” was originally released as a standalone single in April 1971. By then, Hayes wife had filed for divorce and he delivers a soul-baring, needy vocal. On the B-Side was a cover of Hank Williams’ “I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You” which was Hayes message to his estranged wife. The single reached twenty-two in the US Billboard 100 and five in the US R&B charts. It was Hayes most successful single. Not for long.
In July 1971, Hayes released “Shaft,” the soundtrack to the blaxploitation movie being released Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Hayes had written and produced the fifteen tracks on the double album. It was a mixture of symphonic soul, funk and soul. The album was groundbreaking, a gamechanger that changed the way soul and funk albums were made. When “Shaft” was released it topped the US Billboard 100 and US R&B charts, and was certified gold. Across the Atlantic, the album reached seventeen in the UK. The album also featured Hayes’ most successful single, “Shaft.”
The uber funky and iconic title-track was released in September 1971. It reached number one on the US Billboard 100, two on the US R&B charts and was certified gold. “Shaft” was a hit in Belgium, Netherlands and reached number four in the UK. On the B-Side was the beautiful, meandering and melodic “Cafe Regio’s” where symphonic soul meets jazz. It was the polar opposite of the high octane single.
For the followup, “Do Your Thing” was released as a single in February 1972. It’s soulful, sensuous and funky. On the B-Side was “Ellie’s Love Theme” a beautiful, pensive slice of symphonic soul where the vibes play a leading roll. Despite the quality of both sides, the single only reached thirty in the US Billboard 100, but reached three in the US R&B chart. However, “Shaft” had been Hayes most successful album, and introduced his music to a wider audience.
At the 1972, Grammy Awards, Hayes triumphed twice. He won a Grammys for the Best Instrumental Arrangement for “Theme from Shaft” and one for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special.
When Hayes released his fifth studio album, “Black Moses” on November 1, 1971, this album of cover versions reached number ten in the US Billboard 200. It was his fourth consecutive album to top the US R&B. Meanwhile in the UK, the album reached number thirty-eight. “Black Moses” failed to replicate the success of “Shaft” which nowadays, is regarded as a classic soundtrack.
After “Shaft,” Hayes released two non-album singles. The first was a cover of “Let’s Stay Together” which gave Al Green a number one single in 1972. His version is the definitive version. Hayes’ cover is a smooth slice of symphonic soul. On the B-Side was the smooth, slinky soul of “Soulsville” from the “Shaft” soundtrack. The single was released in February 1972 and reached forty-eight on the US Billboard 100 and twenty-five on the US R&B charts. This was another disappointment for Hayes.
The second non-album single was the funky and soulful “Ain’t That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One)” penned by Hayes and Porter. They duetted on the track and a disappointing cover of David Gates’ “Baby I’m-A Want You.” Bread’s original is the definitive version of the track. When the single was released in April 1972, it stalled at eight-six on the US Billboard 100 and thirty-seven on the US R&B charts. It was another disappointment for Hayes.
Between 1969-1972, Hayes released some of the best singles and albums during his tenure at Stax. He was at the peak of his powers, releasing four studio albums and the “Shaft” soundtrack. Each of these albums topped the US R&B charts, and three were certified gold. Hayes was one of the most successful artists signed to Stax.
Many of the singles Hayes released were edited version of his new symphonic soul sound. Other edited versions were B-Sides. For many music fans they were an introduction to Hayes’ music. Then when they bought the album the tracks were from, they were able to hear the tracks in all their glory. However, some music fans may prefer the edited version of the tracks. Many purists will prefer the full length tracks. It’s down to personal preference. However, one thing that’s indisputable is that Isaac Hayes was at the peak of his powers between 1969 and 1972.
Isaac Hayes- 1969-1972.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHNNY ADAMS.
The Life and Times of Johnny Adams.
Johnny Adams’ recording career lasted exactly forty years. His career began in early 1958, when he released his first single ‘I Won’t Cry’ on Ric. It was a hit single in New Orleans and the Southern states. For the twenty-six year old soul man this was the start of a recording career that would span five decades.
Right through to Adams’ death, on ‘14th,’ September, 1998, he was still working. He had just completed his ninth album for Rounder Records, ‘Man Of My Word.’ By then, Adams was a much-loved and popular artist whose career began forty years earlier.
However, it was at Ric and Ron where Adams’ career began. By then, he was nearly twenty-six.
Adams was born in New Orleans, on ‘5th,’ January 1932. He was the eldest of ten children. Just like many future R&B and soul singers, his introduction to music was through the church. That’s where he discovered his powerful baritone voice with a wide vocal range. However, music was nothing more than a hobby to Adams. He certainly didn’t want to sing what he thought of as the devil’s music.
That’s how R&B and rock ’n’ roll music was viewed, when Adams was growing up. R&B and rock ’n’ roll singers were doing Satan’s work. So, Adams, a deeply religious young man, stuck to singing gospel music.
Initially, he was a member of The Soul Consolators. They were mentored by Bessie Griffin, who would later, become one of the biggest names in gospel music.
After leaving The Soul Consolators, Adams joined The Soul Revivers, who featured the Reverend Clay Evans, another future gospel star. However, Adams had no ambition to take music any further. It was just a hobby. That was until one night someone knocked on his door.
As was his habit, Adams often sung when he was at home. He loved music, so it seemed natural. That night, New Orleans’ songwriter, Dorothy La Bostrie was passing his door when she heard him singing. Although the pair had never met, she decided to speak to Adams as she had just written some new songs. She knocked on his door and asked if he would like to sing her songs?
Previously, Adams had only sung gospel music. He had never sung secular music. This was going against everything he believed in. However, after a while, he had a change of heart. Johnny Adams was about to crossover.
La Bostrie decided that she would record Adams singing her two new songs, ‘I Won’t Cry’ and ‘Who You Are.’ He was accompanied by just a lone acoustic guitar. Once she had coaxed an emotive performance out of Adams she took the tape to Joe Ruffino, who owned the Ric label.
When Ruffino heard the two songs, he was won over. However, it wasn’t just the songs that impressed him. It was the singer. Ruffino decided to sign Adams to Ric, his first single would be ‘I Won’t Cry.’
Given the version of ‘I Won’t Cry,’ La Bostrie had recorded was just a demo, Ruffino decided that a new recording be made. He brought onboard his A&R man and guitarist Edgar Blanchard who would work with Adams. The A&R man took a band to Cosimo Matassa’s studio, where new versions of ‘I Won’t Cry’ and ‘Who You Are’ were recorded. They were released in early 1958.
After the two songs were recorded, Ruffino decided that ‘I Won’t Cry’ would be Johnny Adams’ debut single. When it was released in early 1958, Adams’ career got ofF to a dream start.
Before long, New Orleans’ premier R&B radio station picked up on ‘I Won’t Cry.’ The tale of hurt and betrayal seemed to strike a chord with people. Soon, it was a hit in New Orleans, then became popular across the Southern states. Despite not becoming a hit nationally, Ruffino realised that Adams had potential. So, he signed him to Ric, and a few months later, would release his sophomore single.
This was ‘Come On,’ which was penned by Seth David and Mac Rebennack, who later, reinvented himself as Dr. John. The B-Side was ‘Nowhere To Go.’ Adams’ sophomore single was very different to his debut.
‘Come On’ was an uptempo dance track with a poppy sheen. It seemed that Ruffino was trying to sell Adams to the youth market. This worked, and he enjoyed another local hit.
Things got even better when in September 1959, British label Top Rank licensed ‘Come On.’ However, the single failed to chart in Britain. Never again would any of Adams’ songs be released in Britain. Instead, he was left to try and break the lucrative American market.
At the end of 1959, Ruffino’s trusted lieutenant Edgar Blanchard left Ric. However, Ruffino had a readymade replacement in Mac Rebennack. He became Ruffino’s new A&R man, and also cowrote Adams’ third single ‘The Bells Are Ringing’ with William Allen and Ruffino. The new A&R man produced the single with a new studio band.
The A.F.O. Combo, short for All For One, had been put together by Harold Battiste, the head of A&R for both the Ric and Ron labels. His new band, epitomised the then New Orleans sound, had been honing their sound. Everything seemed to come together for The A.F.O. Combo on ‘The Bells Are Ringing.’ Would it give Adams his first nationwide hit single?
It was a case of the same old, same old. Just like his first two singles, when ‘The Bells Are Ringing,’ was released in 1960, it sold well locally, but didn’t make a breakthrough nationwide. This would be the case with Adams’ next four singles.
Between 1960 and 1961, he released a quartet of singles that failed to chart. They were all local hits and fared well in the Southern states. The first was ‘Someone For Me’ and ‘You Can Make It If You Try’ which were released in 1960. This was also the case with ‘Wedding Day’ and ‘Life Was A Struggle’ when they were released in 1961. After seven singles, Adams still hadn’t had enjoyed widespread commercial success.
By then, Mac Rebennack had realised that Adams had what many referred to as “star quality.” His singles sold well locally, and he was a popular and charismatic live performer. All he needed was a record company willing to back him. That meant money to promote his singles. So far, Ruffino had been reluctant to do so. Maybe, he was in his comfort zone?
Although Adams’ singles were selling well in the South, it would take a lot of money to break him nationwide. For Ruffino, this would be risky. It would be like betting the bank. However, when he found the right song, he was willing to do this.
‘A Losing Battle’ was an unlikely song for Adams. The former gospel singer was being asked to sing a song that more than hints at adultery. Surely, he would baulk at recording this track? He didn’t, and recorded the recorded the John Dauenhauer and Mac Rebennack composition, bringing their lyrics to life as if he had lived them. When Ruffino heard the single, he decided that this was the track that would break Adams nationally.
That proved to be the case. ‘A Losing Battle’ entered the US R&B charts on ‘30th,’ June 1962, and reached number twenty-seven. Somewhat belatedly, Adams was enjoying his first nationwide hit. It was also the label’s first hit since October 1960. This must have been a satisfying day for Ruffino. Having backed Adams, Ric been rewarded by a hit. However, for everyone at Ric, the happiness turned to sadness in August 1962.
Ever since Ruffino founded Ric, he had worked tirelessly. He died suddenly of a heart attack. His family and the wider New Orleans’ music community were shocked.
With Ruffino gone, his two sons were left to run the Ric and Ron labels. They tried to follow in their father’s footsteps. That, however, proved impossible. Eventually, his brother-in-law Joe Assunto took over the running of Ric and Ron. By then, the Ron label was on its last legs. It released its final single in August 1962. Ric however, continued, for the time being.
‘Showdown’ was the last single Adams released on the Ric label. It was another Mac Rebennack composition. Adams gave the song a bluesy hue. Despite being well received by Cashbox magazine, the single failed to chart. However, it was a regional hit in Louisiana and Texas. It was a disappointment for Adams. He would rather have ended his time on Ric with a hit.
After leaving Ric, Adams signed to Assunto’s new label, Watch Records. That was home for Adams for the next couple of years. During that period, he released three singles. However, ‘I Believe I’ll Find Happiness,’ ‘Some Day’ and ‘Got To Get Back To You’ didn’t result in an upturn in Adams’ fortunes. So when Ron reopened his doors in 1964, he returned to the label that was once his musical home.
However, he only released two singles on the newly resurrected Ron label. Both were released during 1964. The first was ‘Lonely Drifter.’ It failed to chart. So did the followup ‘Coming Around The Mountain.’ It was the final single that Adams released on Ron.
Later in 1964, Adams released ‘I’m Grateful’ as a single on Gone Records. However, if failed to chart and was his only release on the label.
Next stop for Adams was Pacemaker Records. The three singles Adams released on Pacemaker Records were recorded in Houston, not New Orleans. The first was the captivating Alton Valier composition ‘A Place Called Home.’ On the B-Side was the call to dance, ‘Spunky Onions.’ Both tracks were produced by Huey Meaux. However, despite the quality of the single it failed to trouble the charts on its release in 1966.
That was the case when the followup was released later in 1966. Both sides were penned by Meaux. The single was ‘Sometimes) A Man Will Shed A Few Tears Too,’ was chosen as the single, and featured an emotive vocal from Adams. Tucked away on the flip-side was the hidden gem ‘When I’ll Stop Loving You.’ The failure of the single was another disappointment for Adams.
He only released one more single on Pacemaker Records. This was a cover of Willie John’s ‘Let Them Talk,’ which featured ‘Operator’ on the flip-side. Again, the single failed commercially, and Adams left the label.
At the time, he was singing in local clubs and on the “Sugarcane Circuit.” It wasn’t a glamorous life travelling to gigs on the Greyhound bus. Nor was it particularly profitable. It paid the bills and put money in his pocket. However, there was no money for luxuries. So Adams took a job in the One Stop Record Shop, which was situated on South Rampart Street, in New Orleans. That was where he had a fortuitous meeting.
The One Stop Record Shop was owned by Joe Assunto. He knew Adams from their days at Ric and Ron, and decided to help him find a new label. Soon, Adams was signing another deal with Watch Records. The label paired him with arranger Wardell Quezergue.
Adams’ first single for Watch Records was the country song ‘Release Me.’ On the B-Side was ‘You Make A New Man Out Of Me.’ When this slice of country soul was released in 1968, it climbed to the upper reaches of the local charts and was a hit across the South. That was when Nashville-based Shelby Singleton bought the master, and released it on his SSS International label. It reached eighty-two on the US Billboard 100 and thirty-four on the US R&B charts. While this was the break Adams had been waiting for, little did he know that Singleton had also bought his contract.
Two singles were released on SSS International during 1969. The first was the Margaret Lewis and Myra Smith composition ‘Reconsider Me,’ which featured ‘If I Could See You One More Time’ on the B-Side. This heartachingly beautiful country-tinged song gave Adams the biggest hit of his career, when it reached number twenty-eight on the US Billboard 100 and eight on the US R&B charts.
Another Lewis and Smith composition ‘I Can’t Be All Bad,’ was chosen as the followup. On the B-Side was ‘In A Moment Of Weakness.’ The single was released later in 1969, and featured a needy, pleading vocal. It was, without doubt, one of Adams’ finest singles, and unsurprisingly reached number eighty-nine on the US Billboard 100 and forty-five on the US R&B charts.
In 1970 Adams release his debut album ‘Heart and Soul.’ It featured the four singles he had released on SSS International. Other tracks included ‘Lonely Man,’ ‘Living On Your Love’ and ‘A Losing Battle.’ They showcase a truly talented and versatile soul man who breathes life, meaning and emotion into a song. That was always the case
‘Real Life Livin’ Hurtin’ Man’ was penned by the Lewis and Smith songwriting team, and chosen for Adams next single. The pair also contributed the B-Side, ‘Georgia Morning Dew.’ Sadly, when the single was released in 1970 it failed to chart. This powerful, dramatic ballad was the one that got away for Johnny Adams.
Later in 1970, SSS International released ‘Proud Woman’ as a single. It was another Shelby Singleton production where brassy horns accompanied Adams’ vocal as he combined power, passion and emotion. Sadly, despite the quality of the single, it failed to trouble the charts.
A new version of ‘I Won’t Cry,’ which Adams had originally released as a single on Ric, featured on ‘Heart and Soul.’ It was released as a single later in 1970, with ‘I Want To Walk Through This Life With You’ on the B-Side. The single reached number forty-one in the US R&B charts. It was Adams first hit since ‘I Can’t Be All Bad’ in 1969.
In 1971, Adams recorded two singles for Atlantic Records. However, he also released the funky, soulful and hook-laden ‘South Side Of Soul Street’ on SSS International in 1971. It featured the cheating ballad ‘Something Worth Leaving For’ on the B-Side. It’s one of the hidden gems in Adams’ back-catalogue.
Two years passed before he released another single on SSS International. This was ‘I Don’t Worry Myself,’ which featured ‘Too Much Pride’ on the flip-side. The single was another fusion of funk and soul that featured an impassioned vocal from Adams. Despite the quality of the single, it failed commercially.
Later in 1973, Adams released his final single on SSS International. This was ‘Kiss The Hurt Away,’ which was produced by Singleton. Just like his previous single it failed commercially. It was another disappointment for the New Orleans-born soul man. There was more disappointment the following year.
Quezergue decided that SSS International had no future, and the label closed its doors in 1974. This came as a surprise to Adams who was hugely disappointed when he learnt that he was about to be dropped. It was the end of an era.
In 1976, Adams released a new album. ‘Stand By Me’ on Chelsea Records. It failed commercially, and was the only album her released on the LA-based label.
Two years later, in 1978, Adams signed to Ariola, and released a new album. However, just like his previous album, ‘After All the Good Is Gone’ wasn’t a commercial success. It would be six years before Adams returned with a new album.
1984 saw Adams release ‘From the Heart,’ his first album on Rounder Records. It was well received by critics. Rounder Records was Adamas musical home for fourteen years.
Adams released three more solo albums on Rounder Records during the nineties. They were 1986s ‘After Dark,’ 1988s ‘Room With A View Of The Blues’ and 1989s ‘Walking On A Tightrope.’ Since signing to Rounder Records, Adams had released four solo albums in five years. He was enjoying the most prolific period of his career, and this would continued into the nineties.
‘The Real Me: Johnny Adams Sings Doc Pomus’ was released in 1991 to plaudits and praise. This was followed by ‘Good Morning Heartache in 1993, then 1995s ‘The Verdict’ and 1996s ‘One Foot In The Blues.’ Belatedly, Adams music was starting to find a wider audience. This continued with ‘Man Of My World’ which was recorded just before Adams death, and released in 1998. It was, without doubt, one of the finest albums of his long and illustrious career.
Sadly, Johnny Adams never reached the heights of his contemporaries, like Sam Cooke and Bobby Womack. However, he enjoyed a career that spanned forty years and five decades. During that period, Adams proved a versatile and talent performer, who was loved and respected in equal measures. While he never enjoyed fame and fortune, he enjoyed an enviable longevity, and during his long career, he continued to reinvent himself.
Johnny Adams started off singing gospel, and then soul, R&B, jazz and latterly the blues. He was a truly-talented and versatile vocalist who was, without doubt, one of New Orleans’ finest.
The Life and Times of Johnny Adams.
CULT CLASIC-REET HENDRIKSON-REET.
Cult Classic-Reet Hendrikson-Reet.
Sadly, Estonian folksinger Reet Hendrikson only ever released one album during her carer. This was ‘Reet,’ which was released in 1969, on the Estonian-Canadian label Reindeer Records. However, this stunning album of folk and psych-folk failed to find the wider audience it deserved.
Nowadays, though, Hendrikson’s music is starting to reach a new generation of music fans. However, the problem they had was finding a copy of the album. Copies of ‘Reet’ are now much-prized rarities. It’s showcases a truly talented singer-songwriter whose music has been compared to Bridget St. John, Linda Perhacs, Sibylle Baier and Vashti Bunyan.
Hendrikson was born in Estonia a few months before the “great escape” into exile in 1944. This resulted in her family moving to Sweden, where she was brought up and educated. However, because of the high standard of Estonian schools in Sweden Hendrikson spoke perfect Estonian. Growing up, she also received a formal musical education. She would put both to good use when she embarked upon a musical career.
In 1967, Hendrikson received a Fulbright scholarship and studied in the US. Then in 1968, she headed to Canada, where her musical career began in earnest.
It wasn’t long before Hendrikson was making her mark as a folk singer. Her arrangements of Estonian folk songs were stripped down, with just her guitar accompanying her beautiful, heartfelt, impassioned and tender vocal. There was a simplicity to her delivery, and a purity and ethereal quality to her voice as she breathed life and meaning into the traditional Estonian folk songs. They were a reminder of Estonia’s past, and Hendrikson’s delivery sounded authentic, as if she was from another time and place. It was almost otherworldly.
For Estonians living in exile in Canada, who heard Hendrikson sing her music spoke to them, and for them. She was singing at an Estonian summer seminar when Andres Raudsepp of the Estonian-Canadian label Reindeer Records heard her sing. This fortuitous meeting resulted in Hendrikson recording her one and only album.
Not long after hearing Hendrikson sing under the Muskoka pines, she entered the studio to record the twelve songs that would become Reet. It was just Hendrikson and her guitar. Raudsepp took charge of production, and was joined in the control room by engineer Mel Crosby. The producer captured the beauty, purity and ethereal quality of Hendrikson’s vocal on an album that was a mixture of folk and psych-folk. When the album was recorded it would the Reindeer Records’ second release.
‘Reet,’ which was Subtitled “Estonian Folksongs”/”Folklore d’Estonie en chansons” on the back cover and label was released in 1969, by Reindeer Records. Because The Ontario-based label was small, and they didn’t press huge quantities of the album. Their audience was mainly Estonian expats, mostly those living in Canada, as well as fans of folk music. After all, Hendrikson’s music epitomised the late-sixties folk sound where female singer-songwriters were hugely popular.
However, when ‘Reet’ was released, although it found an audience within the Estonian expat community, sadly, it never found the wider audience it deserved. Maybe if the album had been released on a bigger label who had a worldwide distribution network, ‘Reet’ would’ve been a commercial success and received the critical acclaim it deserved. And maybe Hendrikson would’ve gone on to release further albums. Sadly, she didn’t.
Following the release of ‘Reet,’ Hendrikson decided to stay in Canada for a while. During that time, she devoted herself to music. However, during this period, she travelled to Austria to attend summer courses at the Orff Institute. That’s where her friendship with Karen Schumacher began. Later, she would champion her friend’s music and in 2014, was part of a tribute to Hendrikson that took place at on ‘1st’ July, 2014 at the Museum of Occupations in Tallinn.
After leaving Canada, Hendrikson settled in Boston. She was a talented multi-instrumentalist and joined forces with a group of folk musicians. However, Boston was only a temporary home for Hendrikson.
By the eighties, she had returned to Sweden where she grew up. Hendrikson was invited to join a scholarly society of Estonian young women, and lead them during musical sessions. She enjoyed those sessions and being with women from home country. One day, she hoped to return to the country of her birth.
Russia recognised Estonian independence on ‘6th’ September 1991. Hendrikson was able to travel to her homeland and was supportive of Estonian musicians. She brought with her much-needed sheet music. The other thing she donated was repertoire from the Swedish National Radio Archives, where she had worked for some time. The repertoire was used and appreciated by both the Radio Symphony and the Philharmonic Chamber Choir, plus a variety of groups including Heinavanker and Linnamuusikud. This was Hendrikson’s way of helping Estonian’s musicians and its musical institutions who had suffered under Soviet rule.
Sadly, Reet Hendrikson died on ’21st’ October, 2000, in Stockholm, Sweden. She was only fifty-six. Hendrikson was a hugely talented singer and multi-instrumentalist who only recorded one album ‘Reet.
However, ‘Reet’ is oft-overlooked hidden gem that’s a magical mixture of folk and psych-folk. It’s a breatkakingly beautiful album that showcases Hendrikson’s beautiful, heartfelt, impassioned and tender vocal. There’s a simplicity and purity to her voice on the twelve songs on the album. Other times, her vocal is ethereal and otherworldly as she breathes life and meaning into the traditional Estonian folk songs. They’re a reminder of Estonia’s past, and Reet Hendrikson, a truly talented singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who should’ve enjoyed a long and successful recording career.
Cult Classic-Reet Hendrikson-Reet.
SAMMI SMITH-THE “SOUTH’S OWN DUSTY SPRINGFIELD.”
Sammi Smith-The“South’s own Dusty Springfield.”
Without doubt, country singer singer-songwriter Sammi Smith had a voice, the talent and potential to crossover and become a huge, mainstream star. Her records were cinematic, soul-baring confessionals where her inimitable husky voice veered between melancholy and full of hurt and heartache to sensuous. It sounded as if Sammi Smith had lived the lyrics she delivered which were poignant and powerful. It was no wonder she was dubbed the: “South’s own Dusty Springfield.”
Sadly, Smith didn’t enjoy the same commercial success as Springfield and instead, remained a major star of country music. Mainstream commercial success eluded her and outside of country music circles many music fans haven’t heard of Smith. Her story is, sadly, a case of what might have been.
By 1980, her recording career was almost over, just twelve years after releasing her debut album ‘He Went A Little Bit Farther’ in 1967. Smith turned her back on music after a relatively short recording career.
Despite recording career that spanned just thirteen years, and Smith released eleven albums. This included seven for Nashville-based Mega Records between 1970 and 1975. These albums featured Smith at her best. They’re also a reminder of a truly talented singer who could breathe life, meaning and emotion into lyrics as she laid bare her soul. Sadly, still so many music fans have yet to discover the delights of Smith’s music. It was shaped by an eventful life and a nomadic childhood that saw her grow up fast.
The future Smith was born Jewel Faye Smith on August the ‘5th 1943, in Orange County, California. Her father was a serviceman and the family lived a nomadic life moving between Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona and Colorado. Aged just eleven, Smith dropped out of school and started singing professionally in nightclubs. This was her introduction to a career in music that would span twenty-five years.
By the time she was fifteen, Smith had married steel guitar player nightclub owner Bobby White. The couple had three children but divorced in 1966.
A year later, in 1967, Smith was booked to sing in the Someplace Else Night Club in Oklahoma City. In the audience that night was Marshall Grant who was Johnny Cash’s bassist. He was so impressed by the talented twenty-four year old singer that he told Cash, who having heard her sing helped get her signed by Columbia Records. This was the start of a recording career that lasted just twelve years.
Having signed to Columbia Records Smith released ‘He Went A Little Bit Farther’ later in 1967. Although the single failed to chart, commercial success wasn’t far away for Sammi Smith.
In 1968, she released ‘Brownville Lumberyard’ on Columbia Records, and it reached sixty-nine on the US Billboard Country charts. This was followed later that year by ‘Why Do You Like Me Like You Do.’ It reached fifty-three on the US Billboard Country charts and is regarded as the finest single she released on Columbia Records. The followup ‘Sand-Covered Angels’ failed to chart and shortly after this, Smith left the label. However, she had made one friend who would help launch her career.
This was Kris Kristofferson, who at the time, was working as a janitor at Columbia Records. When he had some free time the two friends would play together, and even went into the studio and recorded twelve songs. Smith would take them to producer Jim Malloy who would work with her at her new label.
Smith wasn’t without a label for long and in 1969 signed to Mega Records. The label had just been founded that year by insurance executive Harry Pratt and Brad McCuen who previously was an executive at RCA. Their new label was the perfect platform for Smith, as her music started to find a wider audience within the country music community.
At Mega Records, a decision was made to pair Smith with producer Jim Malloy. He was vastly experience and had worked with everyone from Duane Eddy to Elvis Presley and on Eddy Arnold’s ‘The Last Word In Lonesome Is Me,’ which was nominated for a Grammy. Jim Malloy went one better and one a Grammy for Henry Mancini’s ‘Charade.’ Then he worked with Townes Van Zandt’s on ‘Second Lover’s Song.’ Its wistful arrangement would influence the melancholy sounding songs he recorded with Smith.
‘He’s Everywhere.’
When Malloy listened to the twelve tracks he decided that Smith should record the Kristofferson composition ‘Help Me Make It Through The Night.’ It was one of eleven tracks recorded during May 1970 and produced by Malloy. These tracks became Smith’s debut album ‘He’s Everywhere.’
The lead single from the album was ‘He’s Everywhere’ which was released in July 1970, reaching twenty-five on the US Billboard Country charts. Other highlights of the album include the seminal ‘Saunder’s Ferry Lane,’ ‘But You Know I Love You,’ ‘When Michael Calls’ and ‘This Room For Rent.’ However, the best known track from this critically acclaimed album which was released in September 1970.
In November 1970, ‘Help Me Make It Through The Night’ was released as the second single. It topped the US Billboard Country charts and reached number eight on the US Billboard 100. This led to the album being retitled ‘Help Me Make It Through The Night.’
It wasn’t long before Smith’s debut album had topped the US Billboard Country charts. The album reached thirty-three in the US Billboard 200 and fifty-one in Canada. Great things were forecast for Mega Records’ latest signing, including mainstream success.
‘Lonesome.’
A year after the release of her debut, Smith who had married second husband Jody Payne, returned with her sophomore album ‘Lonesome’ in September 1971. Again, it was produced by Malloy who brought out the best in country music’s rising star.
The album reached fifteen on the US Billboard Country charts but stalled at 191 in the US Billboard 200. Three of the highlights of the album were ‘Jimmy’s In Georgia,’ the cinematic ‘He Makes It Hard To Say Goodbye’ which features a vocal full of hurt and heartache and the hopeful sounding ‘Then You Walk In.’ Given the quality of the music on the album, its relative lack of commercial success must have been disappointing. Smith must have been hoping her third album would be a bigger commercial success.
‘Something Old, Something New, Something Blue.’
Just seven months after the release of ‘Lonesome,’ Smith returned with ‘Something Old, Something New, Something Blue.’ It was released in April 1972 and reached seventeen in the US Billboard Country charts but failed to trouble the US Billboard 200.
This must have come as a huge disappointment Smith and everyone at Mega Records. Especially given songs of the quality of ‘I’ve Got To Have You’ which features a vocal that’s a mixture of sadness and longing. Just like in so many of her songs, the lyrics come to life and have a cinematic quality. Sadly, the wider record buying public had yet to discoverSmith whose career seemed to have stalled and mainstream success seemed even further away.
‘The Toast Of ’45.’
Just over a year passed before Smith released her fourth album ‘The Toast Of ’45’ in May 1973. Just like her previous albums it was produced by Malloy and featured some of the top musicians that Nashville had to offer. Despite this, the album only reached forty-three in the US Billboard Country charts, making it Smith’s least successful album. However, it’s something of a hidden gem.
Especially with tracks like the heartachingly beautiful ‘I Miss You Most When You’re Right Here;’ the wistful sounding ‘I’m In For Stormy Weather with its lush string arrangement; and The Toast Of ’45. They’re among the highlights of this oft-overlooked album that should’ve fared better upon its release. Little did Smith know things would get worse before they got better.
‘The Rainbow In Daddy’s Eyes.’
By 1974, Smith was still enjoying hit singles in the US Billboard Country charts. Some were just minor hits but still she continued to find favour amongst the country music community. Smith and Mega Records hoped her fifth album ‘The Rainbow In Daddy’s Eyes’ would be a turning point in her career.
Smith’s last couple of albums hadn’t been big sellers. None of her albums had matched the success of her debut which set the bar high. Sadly, ‘The Rainbow In Daddy’s Eyes’ failed to chart and was the least successful album of her career. That was despite songs of the quality of ‘Manhattan, ‘Kansas’ and ‘Birmingham Mistake which were two of the album’s highlights. Sadly, very few people heard this vastly underrated album.
‘Sunshine.’
1975 was a busy year for Smith. That year, she released two albums. The first was ‘Sunshine’ which was released at the start of the year. Despite an all-star cast of Nashville musicians and songs of the standard of ‘I Was Just Fifteen,’ ‘The Good-For-Something Years,’ ‘Cover Me, Long Black Veil’ and ‘Sunshine’ the album failed to trouble the charts. This was another disappointment. There was, however, a small crumb of comfort.
The three singles from the album all charted in the US Billboard Country charts. ‘Never Been to Spain’ reached seventy-five giving Sammi Smith a minor hit single. ‘Long Black Veil’ then reached twenty-six before ‘Cover Me’ peaked at thirty-three. This was something to build on when Smith released her seventh album for Mega Records later in 1975.
‘Today I Started Loving You Again.’
Later in 1975, Smith returned with her second album of the year ‘Today I Started Loving You Again.’ When the title-track was released as a single. it reached number nine in the US Billboard Country charts. It’s since become one of Smith’s best known and best loved tracks.
Buoyed by the success of the single, the album reached nineteen in US Billboard Country charts. This meant that ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’ was Smith’s most successful album since her third album ‘Something Old, Something New, Something Blue in 1972.’ She was back after a couple of difficult years and two albums that failed to even trouble the charts.
After the success of Today I Started Loving You Again Sammi Smith signed to Elektra and released a trio of albums between 1976 and 1978. However, 1976s ‘As Long As There’s A Sunday,’ 1977s ‘Mixed Emotions’ and 1978s New Winds, All Quadrants. They failed to match the success of ‘Today I Started Loving You Again, but are a reminder of a truly talented singer. Smith left Elektra after ‘New Winds, All Quadrants’ in 1978.
Next stop for Smith was Cyclone Records who released her 1979 album ‘Girl Hero.’ Just like her final album for Elektra it failed to chart and this was the end of a short stay on Cyclone Records.
In 1980, Sammi Smith returned to the studio and recorded ‘Texas 1947’ and ‘Desperados Waiting For A Train.’ Neither track was released at the time. However, both tracks are a reminder of a truly talented country singer-songwriter who should’ve reached greater heights than she did.
Sadly, Smith never crossed over into the mainstream and her music wasn’t heard by the wider audience it deserves. Given Smith’s undoubtable talent, her music deserved to crossover and she deserved to become a star who enjoyed a long and successful career. However, it was a case of what might have been.
Sadly, commercial success remained tantalisingly out of reach the truly talented Sammi Smith who was known as The“South’s own Dusty Springfield.” Smith should’ve become a queen of country music, and enjoyed mainstream success. That wasn’t to be.
Somewhat belatedly music fans are starting to discover the delights of Smith’s music. Especially the seven albums she recorded for Mega Records between 1970 and 1975. They’re a reminder of Smith at the peak of her powers when she looked like she was going to become one of the giants of country music and go on to forge a career in mainstream music.
Sammi Smith died on February the ’12th’ 2005 aged just sixty-one. That day, music lost a truly talented and much-loved singer who effortlessly breathed life, meaning and emotion into soul-baring confessionals who brought the powerful and poignant lyrics to life.
Sammi Smith-The“South’s own Dusty Springfield.”
NEW BREED R&B – MONEY TALKS.
New Breed R&B – Money Talks.
Label: Kent Dance.
Format: CD.
Nowadays, DJs and soul connoisseurs continue to collect and seek out new breed R&B. For those who haven’t heard of this new relatively new musical movement, it’s an offshoot of Northern Soul. The tracks that are sought out by collectors are from the fifties, sixties and seventies.
Three examples of new breed R&B are Bobby Day’s ‘Pretty Little Girl Next Door,’ Marva Josie’s ‘You Lied’ and Mike Pedicin’s ‘Burnt Toast and Black Coffee.’ These tracks are best described as early sixties R&B but with a hint of soul and/or pop. However, all of the new breed R&B tracks have one thing in common, the influence of the blues. That’s the case on New Breed R&B – Money Talks, a new compilation that was recently released by Kent Dance.
Opening the compilation is ‘Don’t Try To Tell Me,’ the first of two tracks from Berna-Dean. It’s a catchy, dancefloor friendly track that features a powerful vocal. The track was produced by Dave Bartholomew, and recorded for GNP Crescendo in 1964, but lay unreleased until 2024, when it was released as a single on Kent Select. On the B-Side was ‘Laughing On The Outside.’ This is a deeply soulful song with an emotive soul-baring vocal.
‘This Mornin’’ by The Jesse Stone Singers was recorded for the Arock label in 1962. There’s elements of folk and gospel in this uplifting and joyous R&B rocker.
‘What’s On Your Mind’ was recorded by The Four Bars, was originally released on the Cadillac label in 1960. However, when the single failed commercially that wasn’t the end of the story.
Vocalist Eddie Daye, who wrote the song, reissued the single twice on his own Dayco label in 1962. Then in 1963, he licensed the single to the Shelley label in 1963. It features a needy, pleading, hurt-filled vocal from Daye where soul and doo wop are combined.
‘Not So Much Talk’ was recorded by Jimmy Breedlove for Arock in 1962, but has lain unreleased until now. It’s thought that this cover of a Jesse Stone composition was a demo. However, it’s another dancefloor-friendly slice of rocky R&B.
Curtis Moon wrote ‘Mary Don’t You Weep,’ which was released as a single by The Delights on Golden Crest, in 1962. Soul meets doo wop on this rarity that was the only single the group released.
In 1966, Barbara Ozen penned ‘I’m A Good Woman.’ She was better known as singer, songwriter and R&B and electric blues guitarist, Barbara Lynn. She released the song as a single later that year on Tribe Records. However, the single failed commercially.
Despite that, soon, the song featured in many Bay Area group’s sets, and was covered by a number of artists and groups. This included The Afterglows, who recorded ‘I’m A Good Woman’ for the Candix label in 1969. Sadly, the song was never released. That’s a great shame as their impassioned rendition of the song featured a powerful, soulful vocal that’s an outpouring of emotion.
This alternate version of Albert Washington’s ‘Case Of The Blues’ originally featured on the Ace compilation ‘Blues and Soul Man.’ It was released in 1999, and twenty-six years later, this track from a truly talented bluesman returns for a well-deserved encore.
Buddy Wilkins also only released one single during his career. That was ‘Private Eye,’ which was written by Jesse Stone, and released on the Tri-Ess label in 1960. It’s an example of song story where Wilkins’ lived-in vocal paints pictures.
One of the best tracks on ‘New Breed R&B – Money Talks’ is ‘Hey Hey Baby’ by T-Bone Walker. It was released on Modern in 1964, and is a reminder of the legendary blues guitar pioneer who influenced a generation of guitarists.
‘You Make Me Mad’ was released as a single by Johnny Madara on Bamboo, in 1961. It’s a memorable and catchy song where R&B and rock ’n’ roll are combined. Accompanying the vocal is an arrangement that’s powerful and punchy. It’s driven along by the rhythm section before wailing, screeching horns play their part in the singles’s sound and success.
Closing ‘New Breed R&B – Money Talks’ is ‘Cleopatra’ by The Precisions. This was the Brooklyn-based group’s only single. It was released as a single on Golden Crest in 1962, and saw the group combining R&B and doo wop. However, the single failed to trouble the charts, and nowadays, it’s a much-prized rarity among collectors.
There’s twenty-five tracks on ‘New Breed R&B – Money Talks.’ It’s a compilation that may be of interest to anyone interested in new breed R&B, Northern Soul or even blues, R&B or soul. It’s a compilation that may be of interest to many people. That’s no surprise.
There’s contributions from familiar faces, and what will be new names to many people. On New Breed R&B – Money Talks there are singles, six unreleased tracks plus four songs that previously, were only available on other Ace or Kent compilations. These twenty-five tracks tracks were recorded during the sixties and seventies, which was the heyday of new breed R&B.
New Breed R&B – Money Talks.
LOVE TRAIN – THE GAMBLE AND HUFF SONGBOOK.
Love Train – The Gamble and Huff Songbook.
Label: Kent Soul.
Format: CD.
Release Date: 27th June 2025.
Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff have been familiar faces on the Philly music scene since the early sixties. The pair first played on a session by Candy and The Kisses in October 1964. Gamble cowrote ‘The 81’ with Jerry Ross, who also produced the track. The piano player for the session was Huff. He played on both tracks. Little did they know that they would form a formidable songwriting and production partnership.
Gamble and Huff met by chance. The pair were in an elevator and got talking. They got on, became friends and within a couple of weeks, the pair arranged and produced ‘There Ain’t Nothing I Wouldn’t Do For You’ for Dee Dee Sharp. She would later marry Gamble, and signed to Philadelphia International Records. That was still to come.
By 1967, Gamble and Huff had formed what was a full-time musical partnership. Soon, some of the biggest names in music were recording tracks penned by them. This includes some of the tracks on ‘Love Train – The Gamble and Huff Songbook.’
This new compilation features twenty-four tracks, and will be released on Kent Soul on 27th June 2025. There’s tracks from Elvis Presley, Gladys Knight and The Pips, Wilson Pickett, The Supremes, Barbara Mason and four tracks released on the label Gamble and Huff founded in 1971, Philadelphia International Records.
The new label became a showcase for the city’s musical talent. This included Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Billy Paul, The Three Degrees, People’s Choice, Dexter Wansel, Teddy Pendergrass and McFadden and Whitehead. However, this is just part of the story.
Other artists and groups that were signed to Philadelphia International Records saw a change in their fortunes. Among them, were The O’Jays, Lou Rawls and later, The Jones Girls and Patti LaBelle. However, it wasn’t just Gamble and Huff who were responsible for the unmistakable sound of Philly Soul.
There’s the third member of The Mighty Three, Thom Bell, a truly talented songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and innovative producer. Along with Gamble and Huff he was one of the architects of Philly Soul.
Many others played their part in the sound and success of Philly Soul. This includes the legendary MFSB, who were the Philadelphia International Records’ house band, and played on so many Philly Soul classics that were recorded for other labels.
So did backing vocalists The Sweethearts of Sigma. Their unmistakable backing vocals can be heard on countless Philly Soul classics. Many were arranged or produced by Vince Montana Jr, Don Renaldo, Bobby Martin and Jack Faith. They all played an important part in the sound and success of Philly Soul, which was the soundtrack to much of seventies. A number of the track on ‘Love Train – The Gamble and Huff Songbook’ were part of that soundtrack.
In 1967, Gamble and Huff formed their full-time musical partnership. Just a year later, The Vibrations released ‘Love In Them There Hills’ on the Okeh label in 1968. They cowrote the song with Roland Chambers who later, would become part of MFSB. Richard Rome arranged this funky and soulful Gamble and Huff production which features Earl Young on drums. It reached thirty-eight on the US R&B charts, and was one of the first hits the nascent songwriting and production partnership enjoyed.
Philly-based soul group The Intruders, released the Gamble and Huff composition ‘United’ in 1966. It was released on the Gamble label, stalling at 78 on the US Billboard 100, but reaching 14 on the US R&B charts.
Two years later, in 1968, Peaches and Herb covered the track, and the single was released on the Date label. It was produced by Gamble and Huff and arranged by Richard Rome. This beautiful soulful ballad reached 46 on the US Billboard 100, and 11 on the US R&B charts. It was the single that brought Gamble and Huff to the wider record-buying public’s attention.
‘I’m Gonna Make You Love Me’ was the first song that Gamble and Huff penned. It was recorded by Madeline Bell, and in 1967, featured on her debut album for Phillips, ’Bells A Poppin.’ This was the first of three versions Bell cut, and features a hopeful and heartfelt vocal from an underrated vocalist.
On June 2nd, 1969, Elvis Presley released his ninth studio album ‘From Elvis in Memphis’ on RCA Records. One of the tracks on the album was a cover of ‘Only The Strong Survive’ which Gamble and Huff cowrote with Jerry Butler. Chips Moman produced what was a deeply soulful version of a song that’s one of the highlights of Elvis’ comeback album.
Gladys Knight and The Pips released their third album, ‘Silk N Soul’ on the Soul label, in 1967. One of the tracks on the album was the Gamble and Huff’s ‘Together’. It was produced by Norman Whitfield and features a tender, impassioned and emotive vocal where Knight breathes meaning into the lyrics to this beautiful love song. It’s a welcome addition to the compilation.
For the followup to ‘Dusty In Memphis,’ Atlantic decided to send Dusty Springfield to Philly, to work with Gamble and Huff. One of the tracks they cowrote was ‘Let’s Get Together Soon.’ It features a tender, needy and hopeful vocal. The song features an understated arrangement by Roland Chambers, and features MFSB with Don Renaldo and His Horns and Strings playing an important part in the sound and success of the track. It’s one of the highlights of an album that was undoubtably, one of best of Springfield’s career.
‘Drowning In The Sea Of Love’ was the title-track to Joe Simon’s 1971 album for Spring. This mid-tempo track was written and produced by Gamble and Huff. However, Thom Bell was responsible for what’s a captivating and melancholy-sounding song. When it was released as a single in 1971, it reached number 11 in the US Billboard 100 and 3 in the US R&B charts. It was one of the biggest singles of Simon’s career, and helped introduce his music to a wider audience.
A year after The O’Jays enjoyed a number one on the US Billboard 100 and US R&B chats with ‘Love Train,’ it was covered by The Supremes. They had planned to release the song as a single, but The O’Jays beat them to it. However, their slick, smooth, soulful and poppy cover featured on ‘The Motown Sound Volume Two’ when it was released in 1973. It’s an irresistibly catchy cover of Philly Soul classic.
Billy Paul enjoyed the biggest hit of his career in 1972, with ‘Me and Mrs Jones.’ Gary Gilbert wrote the song with Gamble and Huff.
A year later, in 1973, Philly-born soul singer Barbara Mason released a response song, ‘Me And Mr. Jones’ a nine minute epic that arranged by Ron Baker that opened her album ‘Lady Love.’ There were plans to released the track as a single with the two parts edited. Sadly, it never got beyond an acetate being produced. ‘Part 1’ of this oft-overlooked track response to Paul’s classic is a tantalising taste of what was Mason’s finest album.
‘I Love Music (Part 1)’ was written and produced for The O’Jays by Gamble and Huff. The song was arranged by Norman Harris, and features MFSB at the peak of their powers. They combine Philly Soul and funk on this joyous and uplifting disco classic with a message that’s delivered with aplomb by The O’Jays. Unsurprisingly, it reached number 5 in the US Billboard 100, topped the US R&B charts and was certified gold in 1975.
Another Philly Soul classic is ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ by Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes. It featured on their album ‘Wake Up Everybody,’ which was released in late 1975. It was their final album for Philadelphia International Records. This was the end of an era.
The song was produced by Gamble and Huff who cowrie it with Gary Gilbert. Norman Harris arranged what became another Philly Soul classic. Harris was a member of MFSB and his unmistakable guitar playing can be heard on a track where Philly Soul, disco, drama and one of Teddy Pendergrass’ finest vocals on the album combine. Despite that, the single stalled at number 20 in the US R&B charts.
Closing ‘Love Train – The Gamble and Huff Songbook’ is ‘Hey Western Union Man’ by Bobby Rush. This twelve bar blues cover featured on the album ‘Rush Hour,’ which was released on Philadelphia International Records in 1979. The album wasn’t a commercial success but this is one of Rush’s debut album’s highlights.
‘Love Train – The Gamble and Huff Songbook’ is a lovingly-curated compilation where compiler Tony Rounce digs deeper than many other compilers. Previously, many compilers stick to familiar tracks, and their compilation is full of Philly Soul classics. While there’s some on this compilation, Rounce eschews many of the old favourites and familiar faces for songs that many people won’t be familiar with. Instead, there’s tracks from Barbara Mason, Joe Simon, Dusty Springfield and not forgetting Peaches and Herb, Madeline Bell and Gladys Knight and The Pips. These are welcome additions to the compilation.
With the tracks that were written by Gamble and Huff, and made in Philly, the success of these songs aren’t down to two men who wrote and sometimes, produced them. Far from it. Credit must be given to MFSB, the Sweethearts of Sigma and arrangers and producers like Thom Bell, Don Renaldo, Vince Montano Jr, Bobby Martin, Norman Harris and Jack Faith. They’re the unsung heroes who were also architects of Philly Soul, and made the songs that Gamble and Huff sound so good. So much so, that fifty years later, many of these songs are timeless soul classics. This includes some of the tracks on ‘Love Train – The Gamble and Huff Songbook,’ which will be of interest to anyone interested in Philly Soul.
Love Train – The Gamble and Huff Songbook.
CHRIS BANGS PRESENTS THE PLAYBOX.
CHRIS BANGS PRESENTS THE PLAYBOX.
Chris Bangs Presents The Playbox.
Label: BGP.
Format: CD.
Release Date: 30th May 2025.
Initially, DJ Chris Bangs started off as a guitarist with space rockers the Mighty Om. However, he soon realised that his talents lay elsewhere.
That came in 1982, after meeting Gilles Peterson, who was playing his first DJ gigs in a wine bar near where Bangs lived. This led to the pair forming a partnership and DJ-ing together for the best part of a decade.
Their first DJ sets took place in a small function room above the Derby Arms, near the Belvedere Arms in Sheen, West London. This was also where, in the late-eighties, Peterson played some of his legendary DJ sets. That was in the future.
Bangs and Peterson’s original one-off nights culminated with their Mambo Madness parties and the Original Jazz Bops. They were promote alongside Peterson’s Mad On Jazz show on Radio London. At these parties, 1,600 clubbers took to the dancefloor as the pair spun an eclectic selection of tracks. They were joined by various bands and artists at the famous Town and Country Club in Kentish Town. These were nights to remember.
Meanwhile, Bangs’ DJ career was progressing as he was offered various residences. His first was playing five nights a week at Bogarts in West London. Then each Saturday he played at the Exeter Bowl, Bournemouth. This led to Bang joining forces with DJ and promoter Bob Masters to run the Bournemouth soul weekenders through most of the 80s.
During the mid to late eighties Bangs DJ-ed at the Cock Happy, Special Branch and Doos At The Zoo club nights.
Every second Monday night Bangs was the guest DJ at Peterson’s Monday jazz night at the Wag Club.
Bangs was also a regular at Rockley Sands, Prestatyn and Caister weekenders, spinning everything from jazz dance and funk to rare groove. By then, Bangs was travelling further afield.
He also DJ-ed at Special Branch holidays in Ibiza and Corfu. Bangs also played at the legendary Cafe Del Mar. However, one of the things Bangs will always be remembered for happened accidentally in 1988.
In early 1988, Bangs and Peterson were DJ-ing at Nicky Holloway Special Branch Doo in Brentford, London. The pair were spinning hard Latin tunes, and behind them, the words Acid, Acid, Acid, were being projected onto the screen behind them. They stopped the music, and Bangs said “acid jazz” on the microphone. Both found this hilarious. It was meant to be throwaway comment, a reaction to the nascent acid house movement. However, acid jazz became the name for a musical movement that was popular worldwide.
When Bangs played an acid jazz set he spun everything from hard bop, early hip hop, Jimi Hendrix, psychedelic poetry and tough Latin tunes. These were eclectic sets that gave Bangs the freedom to play a wide range of tracks that he couldn’t and wouldn’t play elsewhere. However, Bangs wasn’t content to DJ.
He wanted to make music, and joined forces with Peterson to record the proto acid 12″ ‘Psychedelic Jack (That’s Where It’s At).’ They were signed to Acid Jazz Records, and in 1988, released the single as Extasis. This was just the start for Bangs.
Since then, he has released music under various names, and for various labels. This includes his solo albums ‘Firebird’ in 2023, and ‘Dream World’ in 2024. Both were released on Acid Jazz Records. Bangs has also worked with many other artists.
This includes producing Galliano and Paul Weller. Bangs has also worked with Mick Talbot, the legendary Roy Ayers, Linda Clifford and Sharon Redd. He’s also remixed Will Downing, Ce Ce Rogers and Blaze, as well as making house tracks with Faith’s Terry Farley.
However, it’s been seventeen years since Bangs last compiled a compilation. That was ‘Fuck Acid House This Is Acid Jazz’ in 2008. He’s compiled ‘Chris Bangs Presents The Playbox,’ which will be released by BGP, on Friday 30th, May 2025.
‘Chris Bangs Presents The Playbox’ features fourteen tracks from Johnny Hammond, Roy Haynes, Lonnie Liston Smith and The Cosmic Echoes, Pleasure, Johnny Lytle, Patrice Rushen and Cal Tjader.
Opening the compilation is ‘Los Conquistadores Chocolatés’ from Johnny Hammond’s classic jazz-funk album ‘Gears.’ It was released on the Milestone label in 1975, and was produced by Larry and Fonce Mizell. It’s a joyous and timeless track that fifty years later, will still fill any dancefloor.
In 1977, Bill Summers released his debut album ‘Feel The Heat’ on the Prestige label. By then, he was regarded as one of the top session percussionists. He had worked with everyone from George Benson, Eddie Henderson, Norman Connors and The Pointer Sisters. One of the highlights from his debut album was ‘Brazilian Skies.’ It’s an infectiously catchy and breezy fusion of soul, samba, jazz-funk and Latin jazz. The highlights of the track are the scatted vocals and the batucada percussion breakdown. It’s no wonder the track became a firm favourite of DJs and jazz dancers.
By the time that Roy Haynes released his album ‘Thank You Thank You’ in on Prestige, in 1977, he had been a professional drummer for thirty-five years. He was a top session player, who worked with the great and good of jazz. One of the highlights of the album was ‘Quiet Fire.’ From the opening bars, percussion joins with Hayes thunderous drums, congas, piano and a standup bass. Soon, a heavy and infectiously catchy groove is unfolding and this dancefloor filler heads in the direction of fusion and is akin to a joyous call to dance.
‘Visions Of A New World (Phase II)’ by Lonnie Liston Smith and The Cosmic Echoes is one of the highlights of the compilation. This a track from Smith’s fourth album ‘Visions Of A New World,’ which was released on Flying Dutchman, in 1975. Jazz-funk meets disco on a truly timeless track that was produced by Bob Thiele and Smith features and features an all-star band.
‘No Matter What’ is a track from Pleasure’s album ‘Get To The Feeling.’ It was released on Fantasy in 1978. This track is a delicious fusion of funk, jazz, disco and jazz-funk, and was one of the highlights of Pleasure’s fourth album.
In 1972, Johnny Lytle released ‘The Soulful Rebel’ on the Milestone label. This vastly underrated and oft-overlooked album where an all-star band combined jazz-funk and soul-jazz. On ‘Gunky,’ rocky guitar licks are unleashed, and join a mesmeric bass, swirling Hammond organ and vibes to create an acid jazz classic.
‘Braun-Blek-Blu’ is track from Dom Um Romao’s 1974 self-titled sophomore album on Muse Records. It’s a mixture of bossa nova, jazz-funk and samba, and became a jazz dance favourite.
‘Chris Bangs Presents The Playbox’ is a carefully curated compilation where the emphasis is on quality. There’s a mixture of familiar faces and what will be new names to many music fans. They’ll enjoy everything from bossa nova, jazz-funk, samba and soul-jazz to disco jazz. funk, fusion and soul. The result is ‘Chris Bangs Presents The Playbox,’ which will appeal to veterans of the acid jazz and jazz dance scene, as well as anyone loves good music.
Chris Bangs Presents The Playbox.
THIS IS FUNKY JAZZ.
This Is Funky Jazz.
Label: BGP.
Format: LP.
Nowadays, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, Art Blakey and Bud Powell are regarded as pioneers, and among the finest and most influential bebop artists. They were innovators, and played their part in this new musical movement that required instrumental virtuosity. Bebop was very different from what had gone before.
The tempo was fast, blisteringly quick, generally in excess of 200 bpm. Then there was complicated chord progressions and countless changes in key. That’s not forgetting improvisation which was based on a combination of harmonic structure, the use of scale and sometimes, a return to the melody. This was very different from swing music, which preceded it.
It was music for the head, not the feet. Its critics called it “intellectual music.” They didn’t understand this new. innovative and modern music would revolutionise jazz.
Fast forward to London in the eighties, where the acid jazz movement was born. DJs looked to past for inspiration, playing everything from soul jazz, fusion to jazz funk, R&B and even the music that played in small clubs and lounge bars in the sixties and early seventies. This was the soundtrack to life for black Americans. It was music to dance to.
So are the ten tracks on ‘This Is Funky Jazz,’ which was recently released on BGP. There’s tracks from Richard “Groove” Holmes, Lonnie Liston Smith and The Cosmic Echoes, Oliver Nelson, Bob Thiele Emergency and legendary drummer Pretty Purdie.
Side One.
Opening ‘This Is Funky Jazz’ is Richard “Groove” Holmes’ cover of the ‘Six Million Dollar Man Theme.’ It’s the title-track to his 1975 album, which was released on the Flying Dutchman label. This is a stunning slice of cinematic soul jazz and jazz-funk.
Dramatic, funky and soulful describes ‘Super Strut’ by Cookin’ Bag. This oft-overlooked single with socially conscious lyrics, was released on the Solid Gold label in 1972. Fifty-three years later and it’s stood the test of time.
‘Work Song’ was released as a single by The Pazant Brothers on GWP Records, in 1969. It’s a brassy slice of joyous, summery funk.
When Lonnie Liston Smith and The Cosmic Echoes released ‘Reflections Of A Golden Dream’ in 1976, it was their final album for Bob Thiele’s Flying Dutchman label. He produced an album that veered between fusion to jazz-funk and the meditative and dreamy ‘Quiet Dawn.’ It’s one of the album’s highlights. So is the anthemic plea for ‘Peace and Love.’ It was released as a single in 1976, and is a truly timeless track that’s even more relevant today.
The synth-driven ‘Skull Session’ is the title-track to Oliver Nelson’s 1975 album. It’s a dramatic and cinematic, with stabs of horns punctuating the arrangement. Some of the finest jazz musicians of the sixties and seventies played on the album. It’s like a who’s who of jazz. The album was produced by Bob Thiele and released on the Flying Dutchman label. This track is a tantalising taste of a vastly underrated album.
Side Two.
Harold Alexander’s album ‘Sunshine Man.’ It was recored on the 26th and 27th, May 1971, and the released later that year on Flying Dutchman. ‘Mama Soul’ was released as a single, the all-star band combine, jazz-funk, fusion and soul jazz seamlessly to create a groundbreaking track.
‘Head Start’ is the title-track to Bob Thiele Emergency’s 1969 album. It was released on his Flying Dutchman label, and was akin to a history of jazz, combined with electronic experimentation, free jazz, a tribute to John Coltrane and some infectiously catchy soul-jazz. This Thiele managed to do on one innovative double album, where he pushed musical boundaries to their limits, and sometimes, beyond.
Joe Bataan’s ‘Theme From The Men’ is a joyous and uplifting fusion of Latin, funk and soul. It was originally released in 2010, on the BGP Records’ compilation The Lost Sessions (New York, 1976). It returns for a well-deserved encore and will still fill a dancefloor.
‘Put It Where You Want It’ is a track from ‘Soul Is… Pretty Purdie.’ This uber funky album was released on Flying Dutchman in 1972, and features a truly-talented band. The result is one of the finest albums of the legendary drummer’s long and illustrious career. Sadly, it wasn’t a commercial success, but later, during the acid jazz era, the album was rediscovered by DJs, dancers and record collectors.
Closing ‘This Is Funky Jazz’ is Drifting by Chucky Thurmon and Pharris Wheel. This track was taken from ‘The Music City Sessions Volume 2: Super Strut,’ which was released in 2011. It’s a flute-led funky hidden gem that’s driven along by the rhythm section. This is the perfect way to close the compilation.
‘This Is Funky Jazz’ which was recently released on BGP, is, without doubt, one of the finest compilations of recent months. It features familiar faces and what will be new names to many music fans. The result is a carefully curated compilation that’s a mixture of funk, fusion, jazz-funk and soul-jazz.
The music is groundbreaking and innovative, especially that tracks that were released on the Flying Dutchman label. These tracks are a tantalising taste of the music Bob Thiele’s label released.
He released that musical maverick didn’t thrive within such an orthodox environment. Their creativity was restricted and they were unable to experiment and innovate. Thiele allowed them to do this at Flying Dutchman, and many groundbreaking albums were released between 1969 and 1976, when the label was taken over by RCA Victor. Many of the albums released during this period have been reissued by Ace Records. The six tracks from the Flying Dutchman label on ‘This Is Funky Jazz’ are, sure to be the start of a long and enjoyable musical journey.
However, there’s much more to ’This Is Funky Jazz.’ It’s a reminder of the music that was the soundtrack to black America between 1969 and 1976. Nearly fifty years later, and the music on ‘This Is Funky Jazz’ is truly timeless, and is the perfect soundtrack to the summer, and is guaranteed to get any party started.
This Is Funky Jazz.
SOUL HARMONY – SWEET SOUL VOCALS 1961-1984.
Soul Harmony-Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984.
Label: Kent Soul.
Format: CD.
Between 1962 and the early seventies there was an increase in the popularity of soulful ballads in Southern California. These slow jams were played in the clubs and could be heard in the cars that cruised the streets of towns and cities throughout Southern California.
Initially, it was the Mexican, Central and South American immigrants who had settled around East Los Angeles that embraced these soulful ballads. However, their popularity has grown since then.
Over the years, the popularity of soulful ballads has grown, and nowadays, are favourites of DJs, soul fans and record collectors around the world. Some record buyers were drawn to the music after being fascinated by the titles of the songs that were finding favour amongst the lowrider soul scene.
The lowrider scene was named after its members, who had a love of classic American automobiles, which they customised and used to cruise the streets of LA. This became really popular from the early sixties until the dawn of the seventies. However, that wasn’t the end of the lowrider scene.
Although it wasn’t as popular from the early seventies onwards, there was still a lowrider scene. This continued into the mid-eighties, which is the period that Kent Soul’s new compilation ‘Soul Harmony-Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984’ covers.
There’s twenty-four slow, sweet, soul harmony ballads on the compilation. Over the last decade there’s been a resurgence of interest in Soul Harmony. So much so, that Ace have formed a new label, Soul Harmony. which is issuing tracks on vinyl for the first time.
However, ‘Soul Harmony-Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984′ offers a tantalising taste of these slow, sweet soul harmony ballads. This includes contributions from The Question Marks, The Puffs, John Wesley and The 4 Tees’ plus The Mad Lads, Moments, Diplomats and Lee Williams and The Cymbals. Then there’s The Imperialites, Question Marks, Music City Soul Brothers and Ray and Bob on a compilation that transports the listener back to another musical era.
It’s always important to start a compilation with a strong track. That’s the case here. I’ve Never Found A Girl by The Mad Lads is a cover of the song that gave Eddie Floyd a hit in 1968. A year later, in 1969, it appeared on the group’s 1969 LP ‘The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Lads.’ It was released on Volt, and is, without doubt, one of the highlights of the album. It features at their soulful best, on a track that sets the bar high for the rest of the compilation.
Instant Replay recorded four tracks at Leo Kulka’s Golden State Recorders in April 1972. However, the two parties were unable to agree a deal, and the tapes lay in the vaults for over fifty years. Then Alec Paloa copied the tape, and made his own mix of ‘87th Off Broadway.’ It then became the first single released on Ace’s nascent Soul Harmony label in October 2024. That’s fitting as it’s a gorgeous soul ballad that deserves to be heard by a much wider audience.
‘Just Because He Wants To Make Love (Doesn’t Mean He Loves You)’ by The Moments was released on the Slang label in 1972. It was produced by George Kerr and Sylvia Robinson. That’s no surprise, as it’s a heartachingly beautiful ballad, that features a vocal soul-baring vocal that’s akin to a confessional.
‘Mr Lover Supreme’ was one of three songs that Ramona King recorded for Leo Kulka at his Golden State Recorders in March 1970. The tracks were never released. However, the four tracks by Instant Replay were rediscovered by Alec Paloa. It’s his mix that features on the compilation. The best way to describe this romantic soulful ballad is a hidden gem, that’s a worthy and welcome addition to the compilation.
‘For The Love Of You’ by Natural Resources just floats along with lush strings accompanying the heartfelt, emotive and sometimes wistful vocal. It’s accompanied by tender harmonies and strings that slowly sweep. Sadly, this track which the group recorded for Dore was never released, and belatedly makes its debut on the compilation. It’s a great find, and is easily one of the compilation’s highlights.
The Soul Interiors reading of ‘My Friend Heartaches’ bristles with hurt, heartache and sadness. It’s an outpouring of emotion that sounds as if it should be cathartic. Just like other tracks on the compilation it lay unreleased, and made its debut as a single on Ace’s City label in 2024. It returns for encore on Soul Harmony- Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984. Take a bow The Soul Interiors.
‘Ain’t That Kinda Sad’ by The Question Marks was released on Money in 1964. This tale of love lost is a reminder of an earlier musical era, one where vocal groups ruled the roost and topped the charts in America.
‘You Still Need Me’ was the first of two singles Johnny Wesley and The Four Tees released on the Melic label. It was arranged by Arthur Wright and released in 1966. The vocal is needy, almost pleading, hoping that his partner still needs and wants him.
‘Take Me Back’ is another heart-wrenching soulful ballad about love lost, and a relationship that’s gone south. This is Joe Evans production that was released by The Three Reasons in 1971. It’s a beautiful and truly memorable ballad that many people will be able to relate to.
‘Girl I Tried’ is a beautiful, sweet and soulful ballad by The Performers. There’s an air of resignation in the vocal, knowing that despite trying hard to make it work, it’s the of the relationship. Despite never having been released on CD before, this song is another of the compilation’s highlights.
‘Love Don’t Let Me Down’ by Nightchill was written by Dexter Dixon and Dave Hamilton, who also produced the track. It was recorded in 1980, but this carefully-crafted and beautiful soulful ballad makes its debut on the compilation. This version is Nick Robbins’ mix of a track which has stood the test of time.
Closing Soul Harmony-Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984 is ‘The Story Says’ by The Tokays. This poignant ballad is another unreleased Dave Hamilton production. It’s essentially a demo and has an understated, spartan arrangement. One wonders what it would’ve sounded like with a bigger, fuller production?
Soul Harmony – Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984 is a welcome reminder not just of the lowrider scene, but the increasing popularity of soulful ballads. Nowadays, they’re favourites of DJs, soul fans and record collectors worldwide.
A tantalising taste of these soulful ballads can be found on Soul Harmony – Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984. It’s a lovingly-compiled compilation that features twenty-four tracks that ooze quality. There’s a mixture of lesser known and unreleased tracks, slow jams, singles and classy cuts aplenty. This makes Soul Harmony – Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984 a must-have for anyone who likes soulful ballads, slow jams and smoochy music.
Soul Harmony-Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984.
HIT AND RUN! MORE MOTOWN GUYS.
Hit and Run! More Motown Guys.
Label: Kent Soul.
Format: CD.
Just like many other record labels, the vaults at Motown contain hundreds of unreleased tracks. These tracks are part of the label’s rich and illustrious history.
Many were recorded at the company’s headquarters at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit between 1961 and 1968. This is regarded by connoisseurs of soul as the label’s golden era. During this period, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Marv Johnson, The Temptations and the Four Tops were all signed to Motown, and made it arguably the most successful soul labels of the sixties.
That’s still the case over fifty years later. Albums released on Motown are regularly released, as are careful curated compilations. The latest is ‘Hit and Run! More Motown Guys,’ which was recently released by Kent Soul. It features twenty-five rare and previously unissued recordings.
These recordings would’ve been released by many soul labels between 1961 and 1968. However, not Motown. The tracks failed to capture enough votes during the company’s Quality Control meetings each and every Friday. Some of the tracks failed to get pre-meeting approval of the Quality Control queen, Billie Jean Brown. As a result, some have lay unreleased for over sixty years. That’s until now, and the recent release of ‘Hit and Run! More Motown Guys.’
‘Without You Babe’ was Skip Cunningham’s first recording for Motown. He added his vocal to this crossover style track on the 19th May 1966. However, this Ivy Jo Hunter production failed to garner enough support in the Quality Control meeting, and has lain unrelated for fifty-nine years. It makes it debut on Hit and Run! More Motown Guys.
Ivy Jo Hunter features twice on the compilation. His first contribution is ‘Lucky Lucky Me,’ a track which he cowrote with Hank Cosby, Sylvia May and William Stevenston. He delivers a heartfelt vocal full of vocal where he gives thanks for the love he’s found. Then on ‘To See The Sun Again’ which he cowrote with Jack Goga, Hunter delivers an impassioned and powerful vocal that’s a mixture of hurt, sadness and regret. It’s one of the hidden gems on the compilation.
‘Show Me The Way’ by J.J. Barnes was recorded in 1967, and made its debut on ‘Rare and Unreleased Vinyl, Volume 3’ in 2016. However, this is the first time this stomper has featured on CD. In 2016, it quickly became a favourite of UK soul fans, and has stood the test of time.
’Since I Don’t Have You’ by The Temptations was recorded in 1967, and features David Ruffin on lead vocal. He was a member of the group during their Classic Five period and sang lead on ‘My Girl’ and ‘Ain’t Too Proud To Beg.’ Despite this, he was replaced by Dennis Edwards later in 1968. Ruffin unleashes an emotive and soul-baring vocal on this previously unreleased track which is, without doubt, one of the highlights of the compilation.
Marv Johnson’s ‘Come To Me’ was the first single released on Tamla in 1959. It reached number thirty on the US Billboard 100. Three years later, in 1962, he recorded the poppy and soulful ‘Sing A Little Song About You.’ Then in 1964 he recorded ’Sad Souvenirs’ a dramatic, intense and emotional ballad. Both of these tracks are among the fifteen previously unreleased tracks.
‘I Feel Like I’m Falling In Love Again was recorded by Jimmy Ruffin in 1967. It’s a joyous and uplifting paean, where strings and harmonies providing the perfect accompaniment to a soulful, sincere and passionate vocal.
In 1965, the Four Tops recorded the ballad ‘Just Your Love.’ It was penned and produced by Ivy Jo Hunter and William Stevenston. However, the song failed to make the cut at the Friday Quality Control meeting. As a result, it’s lain unreleased for sixty years. For Four Tops’ fan and Motown completists its inclusion on the compilation will be a welcome one.
‘Goodbye Eilene’ is a beautiful hurt-filled ballad by Shorty Long that’s bristling with emotion and full of regret at the love he’s lost. The track was recorded in 1965, but has never been released on CD until now. It’s one of the standout tracks on ‘Hit and Run! More Motown Guys.’
‘It’s Love Baby (24 Hours Of The Day)’ was recorded by Joe Stubbs in 1967, and is another track that has never been released on CD. The former lead singer with The Contours unleashes a stomping take on the track that gave Ruth Brown a hit in 1965.
Closing ‘Hit and Run! More Motown Guys’ is ‘We Call It Fun’ by The Hit Pack. Their version of this poppy track was recorded in 1965, but was never released. Instead, The Headliners’ version was released as a single. However, it failed to trouble the charts. The “other” version makes its debut and closes this compilation of rarities and unreleased tracks.
Compilers Keith Hughes and Mick Patrick have dug deep to into the Motown vaults to unearth the twenty-five tracks on ‘Hit and Run! More Motown Guys.’ Fifteen have never been released before, while some have only been released digitally. They’re joined by a number of rarities that will be of interest to fans of Motown.
Throughout the compilation there’s contributions from familiar faces. However, there’s what will be new names to all but the most devoted Motown aficionados. They’re responsible for hidden gems aplenty on a compilation that’s long on quality, and will be of interest to fans of Motown, or anyone with an interest in soul music.
Hit and Run! More Motown Guys.
PAUL WELLER PRESENTS THAT SWEET SWEET MUSIC.
Paul Weller Presents That Sweet Sweet Music.
Label: Ace
Format: CD.
Release Date: 28th March 2025.
From an early age, soul music has played an important part in Paul Weller’s life. He grew up listening to, and buying soul singles. This was just the start.
Then during his ten years with The Jam, the group covered two soul classics on their six albums. The first was Wilson Pickett’s ‘In the Midnight Hour which featured on their 1977 sophomore album, ‘This Is the Modern World.’ Two year later in 1979, the group covered Martha and the Vandellas’’ ‘Heat Wave’ on their fourth album ‘Setting Sons.’ Soul music would continue to influence Weller’s music.
Weller formed The Style Council with Mick Talbot in 1983. The group combined blue-eyed soul with jazz, funk, pop and house on the five albums they released between 1984 and 1998. By then, Weller had embarked upon a solo career.
His solo career began with his eponymous debut album in 1992. Weller followed this up with three of his finest solo studio albums. The first was ‘Wild Wood’ in 1993. Next came ‘Stanley Road’ in 1995, with ‘Heavy Soul’ following in 1997. Soul was continuing to influence Weller’s music.
That would be the case right through to his most recent album, ’66.’ It was released on May 24th, 2024 and was Weller’s seventeen solo studio album in a career that had already spanned fifty-two years.
A day after the release of ’66,’ Weller celebrated his 66th birthday. Still his love of soul music remained, and he continued to collect and buy soul singles and albums.
Twenty-six of Weller’s favourite soul tracks feature on a new compilation that he’s compiled for Ace. This is ‘Paul Weller Presents That Sweet Sweet Music,’ which will be released on ‘28th,’ March 2025.
Opening the compilation is ‘God Made Me Funky’ by The Headhunters. The group was formed by Herbie Hancock in 1973, and became his backing group. Then in 1975, The Headhunters released their debut album ‘Survival Of The Fittest.’ The jazz-funk group were joined by The Pointer Sisters on the much-sampled album opener ‘God Make Me Funky.’ It’s a delicious mixture of jazz, funk, fusion, P-funk and soul. This is the version that was released as a single. The album cut a nine minute epic that showcases Hancock et al at the peak of their powers.
‘Breakaway’ by The Valentines was released on Sound Stage 7 in 1970. The lyrics are powerful, and full of social comment on a track that found favour on the UK’s Northern Soul scene.
John Davis produced ‘Top Of The Stairs’ for Collins and Collins. It was recorded at the legendary Sigma Sound Studios, and released as a single on A&M in 1980. The was a cover of an Ashford and Simpson composition that featured on their 1977 album ‘Send It.’ This irresistible funky, soulful and joyous cover is truly timeless and one of the highlights of the album Collins and Collins. It’s also one of the highlights of the compilation, and is sure to brighten up even the dullest day.
‘Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You’ by The Spinners was arranged, conducted and produced by one of the architects of Philly Soul, Thom Bell. He reinvents a track that was originally recorded by Wilson Pickett in 1970. It’s very different, and so much better. No wonder. The classic lineup of MFSB feature and are complimented by a string arrangement by Don Renaldo. Bell, forever the innovator, seamlessly transforms them into a big band. Phillip Wynne is at his soulful best with what was one of his best vocals on the group’s 1973 album Spinners. It one of the finest albums they released, and the first of five consecutive albums that were certified gold in the US.
‘Black Balloons’ opened Syl Johnson finest album ‘Is It Because I’m Black.’ It was release on Twinight in 1970, and nowadays, is regarded as a soul classic. The song features an emotive, heartfelt and tender reading of Oscar Brown Jr’s rhapsodic song which deals with the subject of black pride.
‘Run For Cover’ featured on The Dells 1966 US album ‘There Is A Few.’ It was also released on Chess as a single in the US. Despite its quality, the single failed to make an impression on the charts. By the early seventies, this anthemic dancer was a favourite of Northern Soul DJs and dancers.
Another track released on Chess was ‘It Ain’t No Big Thing’ by The Radiants. It was released in 1965, and saw original members of the group Maurice McAlister and Wallace Sampson joined by Leonard Caston Jr. This new lineup breathed life and meaning into this song about the end of a relationship. It’s as if there’s an inevitability about it, and they’ve accepted that they’re about to go their separate ways. The single reached ninety-one in the US Billboard 100 and fourteen in the US R&B charts, and was The Radiants’ biggest hit.
Brother To Brother covered Gil Scott Heron’s ‘The Bottle’ in 1970. The song was released as a single on the Turbo label. Producer Michael Burton stays true to the original but adds piano and bass to the arrangement. This results in a track that’s a glorious fusion of soul, funk and jazz.
One of the hidden gems on the compilation is Joe Simon’s rendition of Mac Gayden and Bob Wilson’s ‘When.’ It was released on Sound Stage 7 in 1970. The versatile soulman delivers an impassioned and hopeful vocal as he sings of the love that many people believe exists within everyone.
James Carr delivers a soul-baring vocal on ‘Pouring Water On A Drowning Man.’ It was released on Goldwax and features a vocal bristling with emotion. It’s as if Carr’s lived the lyrics. His delivery is powerful and deeply moving, and twenty-four years after his death on January 7th, 2001, he’s quite rightly recognised as one of the greatest soul singers ever.
In 1971, Jon Lucien released ’Search For The Inner Self’ as a single on the Ampex label. Horace Ott’s arrangement provides the perfect backdrop for Lucien as he tenderly bestows wisdom to the song’s innocent protagonist on this beautiful song. It’s one of his finest songs. Lucien’s recording career spanned forty years. However, the first five albums he released are, without doubt, his finest.
Closing the compilation is Beautiful Feeling by Darrell Banks. It was released on Volt in 1969, and features a vocal that’s full of longing and tinged with regret. It’s a beautiful way to close Paul Weller Presents That Sweet Sweet Music.
It’s the first compilation that Paul Weller has compiled, and hopefully it won’t be the last. Familiar faces rub shoulders with what will be new names on this carefully and lovingly curated compilation. It’s like a modern-day mix tape, featuring well known tracks, hidden gems, album tracks and ones that got away. The result is Paul Weller Presents That Sweet Sweet Music, which is one of the finest compilation that will be released this month.
Paul Weller Presents That Sweet Sweet Music.
BOB STANLEY PRESENTS LIVERPOOL SUNSET: THE CITY AFTER MERSEYBEAT 1964-1969.
Bob Stanley Presents Liverpool Sunset: The City After Merseybeat 1964-69.
Label: Ace.
Format: CD.
By 1969, many of the artists and groups from the Merseybeat era were no longer enjoying the same commercial success. When they released new singles they failed to trouble the charts. It was changed days for The Searchers, Billy J Kramer and Gerry and The Pacemakers. Just three years earlier they were huge stars.
The musical landscape had changed in Liverpool. Back in 1965, Iron Door club, which was where The Searchers once called home, decided to host soul all-nighters. These were popular, and often, local groups like The Chants featured.
Meanwhile, it was all change what was once Liverpool’s most famous club, The Cavern. The club where The Beatles and many of Liverpool’s top bands took to the stage was now hosting Ben E King, Solomon Burke and Stevie Wonder. It was changed days.
Still new artists and groups were emerging and releasing singles. They released everything from beat and pop to freakbeat, R&B, soul and psych. However, many of these singles didn’t come close to troubling the charts and for some formerly successful artists and bands their search for a hit continued.
For others, the dream was over. They were dropped by their record labels, and returned to the mundane grind of 9 to 5 life. In years to come, they could be found sitting in their local pub telling anyone who would listen how close they came to finding fame and fortune.
Over the years, there’s been countless compilations of tracks from artists and bands from Liverpool that weren’t hits. They’re usually billed as hidden gems, lost classics and the ones that got away. In reality that’s often stretching the truth. Sometimes it’s a case of the barrel being badly scraped.
Not every Liverpudlian artist or band who released a single in the sixties was blessed with talent. Often record labels took chances hoping to find the next big artist or band. A year later they were back working in a bank, Boots or on a building site. Their one and only single had bombed, and it looked like it had been consigned to the dustbin of history. It was back to the real world for them.
However, over the next six decades countless compilations of music from the Merseybeat and post-Merseybeat era have been released. The latest is ‘Bob Stanley Presents Liverpool Sunset: The City After Merseybeat 1964-69.’ It claims to contain “two dozen lost gems; 60s Liverpool classics once hidden now uncovered.” Is that the case?
Opening the compilation is The Kirkbys’ single ‘It’s A Crime.’ It was released on RCA Victor in September 1966, and was the only single they released in the UK. It’s a single that looks to the past combining elements of the Merseybeat sound. Especially the harmonies. They’re combined with a tough and edgy mod production as the group reference, and pay homage to both The Who and The Pretty Things. However, the big criticism is the lack of originality. It was a fusion of two existing and established genres. There’s nothing new or innovative about the single.
In 1963, The Dennisons were regulars at the Cavern Club, and had just signed to Decca. They enjoyed a minor hit with ‘Be My Girl’ in later that years. That was as good as it got for the group. When they release ‘Nobody Like My Babe’ it failed to trouble the charts. That’s not surprising as it’s a mediocre example of Merseybeat.
Johnny Gustafson had originally been a member of The Big Three. However, when they split-up he joined The Merseybeats. A year later, he signed to Polydor and embarked upon a solo career. He released an impassioned reading ‘Just To Be With You’ in 1965. Sadly, Gustafson’s time at Decca wasn’t particularly successful. Success came is way when he spent three years as Roxy Music’s bassist, playing on their albums ‘Stranded,’ ‘Country Life,’ ‘Siren’ and ‘Viva!’
Originally, ‘You Don’t Have To Whisper’ was meant to be The Dimensions’ debut single. However, it was wrongly relegated to the B-side, to with ‘Tears On My Pillow’ being chosen as the single. When it was released on Parlophone in 1965 the single flopped. It turned out to be the group’s one only single, and is a case of what might have been.
Don’t Let A Little Pride (Stand In Your Way) by Billy Fury was released on Decca in 1966. By then, he had been a familiar face on the British music scene since the late-fifties. However, he was no longer enjoying the same commercial success as he once had, and the single failed to trouble the top fifty. If it had been released a few years earlier things would’v been different for Fury. Instead, the single is regarded by some as one that got away.
‘Imagination’ was the B-Side to The Clayton Squares’ sophomore single ‘There She Is.’ This cover of The Lovin’ Spoonful’s song was released on Decca in 1966. Those that flipped over to the B-Side found a stomper that combined rock, soul and brassy horns with a powerhouse of a vocal from Denny Alexander.
Tony Jackson released ‘Never Leave Your Baby’s Side’ on CBS in 1966. It was the second of three singles he released for the label. It’s got a tough and sometimes trippy sound, with sweeping harmonies and punchy horns accompanying the vocal. Sadly, the single wasn’t a commercial success, and it’s a welcome addition to the compilation.
‘So Much To Love’ is a track from McGough and McGear’s eponymous Parlophone album released in 1968. It’s a decidedly average example of British psychedelic pop, even despite Jimi Hendrix’s contribution.
By the late-sixties, The Swinging Blue Jeans were yesterday’s men. Music had passed them by. They had committed the cardinal sin of failing to stay relevant. However, they were still recording new music. This included laidback and wistful sounding ‘Summer Comes Sunday.’ It made its debut on ‘The Best Of The EMI Years’ in 1992. Thirty-three years later it returns for a well-deserved encore.
After listening ‘Abyssinian Secret’ by the late Liverpudlian warbler and former Cavern Club cloakroom attendant, Cilla Black. I’m tempted to reach for a bottle of absinthe to erase the memory of what’s a truly dreadful track. It’s 2.13 of my life I’ll never get back. The track was featured on her ‘Time For Cilla’ EP which was released by Parlophone in 1968. It’s no surprise that the EP wasn’t a commercial success.
Hooks haven’t been spared on ‘Come On,’ a delicious dancer by The Carrolls. It was the B-Side to their single ‘Ever Since,’ which was released on CBS in 1968. It’s an oft-overlooked hidden gem that’s stood the test of time.
Closing the compilation is ‘Into My Life She Came’ by The Penny Peeps. This example of the British baroque sound was written by lead single Denny Alexander, and the group recorded this demo version in the late-sixties. It first featured on Psychedelic Jumble Volume One: What’s The Rush, Time Machine Man? The compilation was released in 2007, and eighteen years later it closes Bob Stanley Presents Liverpool Sunset: The City After Merseybeat 1964-69.
This recently-released compilation features twenty-four tracks from the post-Merseybeat era. They’re a mixture of singles that failed to trouble the charts, B-Sides plus tracks from EPs and albums. There’s even a track from a best off and another from a compilation.
Over the years, there’s been many compilations that focused on music released by artists and bands from Liverpool. It’s a well trodden path. The result is a compilation with some tracks that disappoint. This includes the contributions from The Kirkbys, The Dennisons, McGough and McGear and Cilla Black to name but four.
Some of the tracks would’ve sounded dated when they were released. They were looking back, not forward, and the music wasn’t new and innovative. Even some of the those who tried to innovate, the music they released was a pale imitation of the music being release across the Atlantic.
A case in point was McGough and McGear. Like footballers released by Liverpool and Everton and going down the leagues to join Tranmere Rovers, the pair later found their level releasing novelty records. Their number one novelty single ‘Lilly The Pink’ was akin to Tranmere Rovers winning the Football League Trophy, and was never to be repeated. I
Having said all that, for anyone interested in the post-Merseybeat era Bob Stanley Presents Liverpool Sunset: The City After Merseybeat 1964-69 may be of interest to them. There are some “lost gems” and oft-overlooked rarities from the post-Merseybeat era. However, “lost 60s Liverpool classics” may be pushing it though. There will be many music fans who remember the Merseybeat and post-Merseybeat sound fondly. This compilation may be of interest to them, and bring back memories of their younger days and the music to their youth. For other music fans, it’s a case of caveat emptor.
Bob Stanley Presents Liverpool Sunset: The City After Merseybeat 1964-69.
AMERICAN BAROQUE – CHAMBER POP AND BEYOND 1967-1971.
American Baroque – Chamber Pop And Beyond 1967-1971.
Label: Ace Records.
Format: CD.
Release Date: 28th February 2025.
As the sixties gave way to the seventies, music in Britain and America was changing, with rock becoming and harder and heavier as groups like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath emerged and went on to become three of the most successful bands of the seventies.
Meanwhile, some British psychedelic groups turned their back on the genre and returning to their bluesy roots, while others became pioneers of progressive rock. However, not everyone was willing to turn their back on psychedelia.
There were still many British musicians and groups who were influenced by psychedelia, especially the homegrown variety of the genre. Its melancholy sound conjured up visions of Victoriana, and the pastoral sound of genteel village life in rural England as well as the simple pleasures of suburban living. Essentially British and specifically English psychedelia harked back to Britain’s past, which was romanticised and perceived as idyllic. It was a much more innocent and simpler time, and very different to Britain during the psychedelic era.
A number of factors influenced the inimitable British psychedelic sound. Just like their American counterparts, British musicians questioned the establishment. This led to some musicians retreating to the countryside and their new rural idylls influenced the pastoral sound of their music.
Others remained in the city, but tried to imagine the countryside in their music which often, became part of an Arcadian fantasy world. However, the countryside was just one of factors that influenced the British psychedelic sound.
This included travel. By then, a number of musicians had travelled to countries like India, Morocco and traversed Europe. The music they heard often influenced the music they went on to make. So did classical and jazz music.
Some musicians embraced and dabbled with LSD which also influenced the music they made. These factors influenced the British psychedelic sound while others didn’t.
Many British musicians distrusted the nascent technology that emerged during the psychedelic era, and also rejected much of American culture. Instead, British musicians looked to their own culture for inspiration.
Meanwhile, musicians deployed an eclectic selection of instruments to create the British psychedelic sound. This included everything from the cello, woodwind and harpsichord to a variety of African instruments and the Mellotron. These instruments provided the backdrop the wistful melodies that were part of the British psychedelic sound. However, by the late-sixties psychedelia was no longer as popular as it had been. Many critics thought it was the end of an era.
That wasn’t the case, and like so many other genres of music, including blues and jazz, British psychedelia had to evolve to stay relevant. There were still many musicians who wanted to continue to create music using the same instruments and wistful melodies and they became pioneers of a new sub-genre of pop, the English Baroque sound.
At the forefront of this new musical movement were some of the psychedelic groups who were joined by the new breed of singer-songwriter.
Across the Atlantic, a similar musical movement was emerging. This was American baroque pop, which is sometimes referred to as chamber pop or orchestral pop. Its origins can be traced to 1966, and this nascent musical movement lasted until the early seventies. There were some similarities with the English baroque sound.
This includes the use of string quartets, harpsichords and woodwind on American baroque pop recordings. The result was a wistful, melancholy sound. It was reminiscent of the feeling one gets as autumn arrives and there’s the realisation that winter isn’t far away.
Many of the pioneers of American baroque pop had been folk musicians, while some had been part of the nascent psychedelic movement. They looked to the past for inspiration.
They unplugged and eschewed electric guitars, replacing them with a mixture of acoustic and traditional instruments. This included string quartets, harpsichords and woodwinds. The result was music that was wistful, whimsical and sometimes, referenced, and harked back to, 18th-century Romantic music. Proof of this was one of the American baroque pop The Left Banke.
Their music was soft, sad, tender, introspective and melancholy. Guitarist Rick Brand later said that their lyrics: “were written as rather self-consciously beautiful musical whimsy, as you find in the latter 18th-century Romantic music, pre-Beethoven.”
A year after the group was formed in 1965, The Left Banke had a massive hit with their 1966 single ‘Walk Away Renee.’ It reached number five in the US Billboard 100, and epitomises everything that’s good about baroque pop. Some critics would go as far as to say it provided the blueprint for the nascent genre.
Sadly, by the time of ‘Walk Away Renee’ became a hit the original group was inactive. Harry Lookofsky put together a new lineup of the band to tour, and they recorded their second hit single ‘Pretty Ballerina.’ It was released in December 1966 and reached number fifteen in the US Billboard 100. The single was another example of the nascent baroque pop sound. However, some critics referred the group’s music as baroque rock or Bach-rock. Nowadays, The Left Banke are regarded as pioneers of baroque pop.
Despite how important a group they were in the development of American baroque pop, The Left Banke only released a two albums between 1965 and 1969. Their finest hour was their debut album ‘Walk Away Renée/Pretty Ballerina.’ It was released in January 1967, and although it stalled at sixty-seven in the US Billboard 200, nowadays, is regarded as a baroque pop classic.
After the demise of The Left Banke, singer Steve Martin Caro formed the group Montage, and in 1968, released their debut single ‘I Shall Call Her Mary’ on the Laurie label. It’s an oft-overlooked American baroque pop hidden gem, that features on their 1969 eponymous album. The track also features on ‘American Baroque – Chamber Pop And Beyond 1967-1971.’ It was compiled by writer and Saint Etienne member Bob Stanley.
There’s a total of twenty-four tracks on the compilation. This includes The Stone Poneys, Bonnie Dobson, Nico, Emmit Rhodes’ Merry Go Round, The Association, The Monkees, H.P. Lovecraft and Appaloosa. These are just a few of the artists on ‘American Baroque – Chamber Pop And Beyond 1967-1971.’
Opening the compilation is ‘You’re A Very Lovely Woman’ by The Merry-Go-Round. It was released as a single on A&M in 1967, but stalled at ninety-four on the US Billboard 100. That year, the track featured on the group’s eponymous album. It’s a powerful track, with a big, bold widescreen sound that’s been influenced by folk and psychedelia, and is typical of early American baroque pop.
‘Turnaway’ by The Pleasure Fair is a track from the group’s 1967 eponymous album. It was arranged, conducted and produced by David Gates, later of Bread. It’s a bewitching mixture of sunshine pop and American baroque pop.
‘Different Drum’ by The Stone Poneys featuring Linda Ronstadt was taken from the group’s 1967 sophomore album ‘Evergreen Vol. 2.’ The song was written by Mike Nesmith and produced by Nick Venet, and is one of the highlights of the album. The album reached 100 in the US Billboard 200, and the single reached thirteen in the US Billboard 100. It was the group’s biggest single, and nowadays, is regarded as an American baroque pop classic.
Another of the best know groups on the compilation is The Association. In 1968, they released their fourth album, Birthday on Warner Bros-Seven Arts. ‘Barefoot Gentleman,’ which is one of the album’s highlights is a sweeping, joyous and uplifting track and a reminder of The Association at the peak of their powers.
‘Land Of Sensations And Delights’ is a track from by J.K. and Co’s concept album ‘Suddenly One Summer.’ It was released on the White Whale label in 1968 and is best described as folk-tinged slice of pastoral psychedelia. It’s a stunning track that deserves to be a heard by a much wider audience.
The melancholy-sounding ‘Blue Jack Of Diamonds’ is taken from H.P. Lovecraft’s sophomore album, ‘H.P. Lovecraft II.’ It was released on Phillips in 1968. Elements of folk, baroque and classical music were combined on this underrated and sadly, oft-overlooked album.
Pastoral, cinematic and trippy describes ‘Satin Slipper by The Blades Of Grass. It’s taken from their one and only album, ‘The Blades Of Grass Are Not For Smoking.’ It was released in 1967, on the Jubilee label.
In 1968, Eternity’s Children released their eponymous debut album. It was released on Tower, and featured ‘Again Again.’ It’s a fusion of psychedelia and sunshine pop that meanders along wistfully and hopefully.
The heartachingly beautiful ‘You Lied’ by The Neon Philharmonic is, without doubt, one of the highlights of American Baroque – Chamber Pop And Beyond 1967-1971. It’s a track from the group’s 1969 eponymous sophomore album which was released on Warner-Bros-Seven Arts.
From then opening bars of ‘Close To Carmel’ by The Fun and Games the track epitomises everything that’s good about American baroque pop. Harpsichord and harmonies play a leading role in the sound and success. It’s taken from their vastly underrated genre-melting 1969 album ‘Elephant Candy.’
Closing the compilation is ‘Lorelei’ by Rosebud. It’s taken from their eponymous sophomore album, which was released by Reprise in 1971. This beautiful and mesmeric track is the perfect way to close American Baroque – Chamber Pop And Beyond 1967-1971.
For newcomers to American baroque pop, this compilation is a perfect place to start. It features everything from American baroque pop classics to contributions from familiar faces, hidden gem, hit singles, oft-overlooked songs and little known album tracks. They’re part of American Baroque – Chamber Pop And Beyond 1967-1971, a lovingly curated compilation, which for newcomers to the genre, is the perfect primer and will be the start of a musical voyage of discovery.
American Baroque – Chamber Pop And Beyond 1967-1971.
YOU GOT ME HOOKED! MORE MARYLEBONE BEAT GIRLS.
You Got Me Hooked! More Marylebone Beat Girls.
Label: Ace.
Format: CD.
During the sixties, many singers and groups made the journey to EMI House, in Marylebone, in the heart of London’s West End. The meeting that they were about to have, they knew, had the potential to transform their lives. At stake, was that all-important recording contract.
While it was tantalisingly close for some, securing a recording contract was as likely as finding gold at the end of the rainbow. Others didn’t have the necessary star quality. As a result, the dream was over. All their hard work had been vain. The weeks, months and years they had spent travelling the country, and singing and in pubs and clubs had been for nothing. With their dream in tatters, reality was about to hit home, and they were faced with finding a job outside of music. The tedium of the 9 to 5 grind beckoned. They were the unlucky ones.
The lucky ones travelled in hope to EMI House, and carried themselves with an air of expectancy. They realised that this was their time, and that they knew were going to leave EMI House having secured that all-important recording contract. These singers and groups were the lucky ones. This includes those that feature on ‘You Got Me Hooked! More Marylebone Beat Girls,’ which was recently released by Ace.
‘You Got Me Hooked! More Marylebone Beat Girls’ is the latest instalment in the series. It features twenty-six tracks were released on the Parlophone, Columbia and HMV labels, whose headquarters were in Marylebone, in London’s West End. Each of the artists that feature on the compilation made the journey to EMI House.
Many of the artists and groups that journeyed to EMI House were young, and just embarking upon a musical career. Most of them, were just teenagers, and had never been near a recording studio. Some of them, had never been to London, which between 1964 and 1969 was very different to the provincial towns many of the artists came from. This must have been a shock to their system.
Other artists on ‘You Got Me Hooked! Marylebone Beat Girls,’ took everything in their stride. This included watching as the British Invasion bands arrived in America, and transformed music stateside.
They also watched as flower power and the psychedelic revolution arrived in London. Suddenly, happenings were the order of the day, where groups like Pink Floyd provided the psychedelic soundtrack.
By then, some of the artists on ‘You Got Me Hooked! Marylebone Beat Girls’ including Alma Coogan and Barbara Ruskin’s careers were well underway. They had already released a couple singles, and enjoyed a degree of success. Some of these artists, would go on to enjoy long and successful careers. However, others weren’t so successful, and there was no gold at the end of the musical rainbow.
For the artists and groups that provide the twenty-six songs on ‘You Got Me Hooked! Marylebone Beat Girls’ their fortunes varied. Some became familiar faces, and even became household names. Others didn’t enjoy the same success, and only recorded a couple of singles. These will be new names to many people.
However, they join some familiar faces on ‘Marylebone Beat Girls 1964-1967.’ This includes Alma Coogan, Helen Shapiro, Julie Driscoll, Barbara Ruskin, Millicent Martin and Elkie Brooks. They’re joined by Friday Browne, Emma Rede and Jane Hillery, plus groups like The Soulmates, Liza and The Jet Set and The Three Bells. These are just a few of the artists on ‘You Got Me Hooked! Marylebone Beat Girls, which transports the listener back to the sixties.
Opening the compilation is Alma Cogan’s single, ‘Shakes and Sails.’ It was released on Columbia, in 1965, and was written by Chris Curtis of The Searchers. Cogan delivers a powerful vocal against a hard-rocking backing track.
During the early sixties, Helen Shapiro was one of Britain’s most successful female vocalists. However, by the end of the decade, she wasn’t enjoying the same success. She had recorded ‘I’m Going Out (The Same Way I Came In)’ in 1967. It wasn’t released until 1998, when it featured on her album ‘Helen Shapiro At Abbey Road. This heartachingly beautiful song with a vocal full of emotion returns for an encore on the compilation.
In the sixties, Liza Strike was a member of two girl groups. The London-based singer made her recording debut with The Jet Set in 1965. They released ‘You Got Me Hooked’ on Parlophone. A year later, Liza and The Jet Set, as they were now billed, released ‘How Can I Know.’ Later in 1965, the group evolved, and with new members, became The Soulmates. They released four singles including ‘Too Late To Say You’re Sorry,’ on Parlophone in 1965. Later, the song was covered by Darlene Love. While The Soulmates singles weren’t sucessful, the group were popular on the live circuit. However, Liza Strike later found success when she was one of the backing vocalists on ‘Dark Side Of The Moon,’ which became one of the biggest selling albums of all time.
A disappointing inclusion on the compilation is ‘From Now On’ by Liverpudlian warbler Cilla Black. It was the B-Side her 1967 single ‘I Only Live To Love You’ on Parlophone. One listen and you’ll realise why it was consigned to the B-Side. It’s 1 minute 49 seconds of your life you’ll never get back.
The Liverpool-based trio The Three Bells’ recording career began in 1960 at Pye, where they released two singles. By 1964, The Three Bells had signed to Columbia, and in 1964, and they set about promoting the trio. They made appearances on various British television shows, promoting the two singles they released. Their debut was a cover of Goffin and King’s ‘Softly Is The Night,’ which was released in 1964. On the B-Side was ‘He Doesn’t Love You,’ where the group kick loose. Then in 1965, the group released ‘Someone To Love’ as a single. On the flip side was an impassioned cover of Ben E King’s ‘Cry No More.’
Elkie Brooks is, without doubt, one of the biggest names on the compilation, and features twice. She released ‘He’s Got To Love Me’ on HMV in 1965. It’s a slick and soulful hidden gem. Then in 1966, Brooks covered Lesley Gore’s ‘All Of My Life’ for her third single. Tucked away on the B-Side as ‘Stop The Music.’ It features a hurt-filled, soul-baring, powerhouse of a vocal that’s delivered against a pounding arrangement.
In 1967, Barbara Ruskin released ‘Come In To My Arms Again’ as a single. She had written the song and it was released on Parlophone. It features sultry and heartfelt vocal delivered against a string-drenched arrangement.
Back in 1966, Vashti Bunyan embarked upon a solo career. She was billed as Vashti, when she released her debut single ‘Train Song.’ It features an understated arrangement that features just cello, acoustic guitar and double bass. This is the perfect accompaniment to a beautiful, ethereal vocal. Closing the compilation is the B-Side, ‘Love Song’ which has a pastoral arrangement and a vocal that’s tender as Vashti lays bare her soul on this confessional. It’s a hidden gem, and like ‘Train Song’ is one of the highlights of You Got Me Hooked! More Marylebone Beat Girls.
While a lucky few artists enjoyed a successful career, commercial success was fleeting for other singers and groups. Often, commercial success eluded artists. This led to many a career that was all too brief, and promise that went unfulfilled. It was a case of what might have been.
Some artists and groups only released one or two singles, before calling time on a career that promised much. It was a case of what might have been. A reminder of this is You Got Me Hooked! More Marylebone Beat Girls which is the latest instalment in Ace’s Beat Girls’ series.
Just like previous instalments in the series, it’s a mixture of hits, hidden gems, near misses, B-Sides and album tracks. The result is a compilation that may be of interest to music lovers interested in the music of the sixties Beat Girls.
You Got Me Hooked! More Marylebone Beat Girls features a mixture of familiar faces and new names. Some of the artists and groups have featured on previous instalments in this series. Others make their debut. The result is a musical voyage of discovery, which features twenty-six tracks recorded during what was a golden era for British pop.
You Got Me Hooked! More Marylebone Beat Girls.
THE LIFE AND CAREER OF GREGORY CARROLL.
The Life and Career Of Gregory Carroll.
John Wayne Carroll a.k.a. Gregory Carroll was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on 19th December 1929. He was one of six children born to Upsher and Sally Carroll. By the time he was a teenager at Frederick Douglass High School, he formed the vocal group, The Metronomes. They would eventually enjoy a hit single.
Before that, the group changed their name to The Four Buds, and then The Four Buddies. By then, they were signed to Savoy Records. Success came quickly for the newly-named group and in 1951, they enjoyed a hit with the heartfelt doo wop ballad ‘I Will Wait.’ It reached number two in the US R&B chart in the US R&B charts. This was their biggest hit, but not Carroll’s biggest hit.
After leaving The Four Buddies in 1953, he joined The Orioles as second tenor. Not long after this, they recorded the Artie Glenn composition ‘Crying In the Chapel.’ The single topped the US R&B chart and reached number eleven in the US Billboard 100. Carroll had joined the group at the perfect time. However, in 1955 The Orioles split-up.
After that, Carroll started working as a backing singer and began his career as a producer. He also formed the vocal harmony group The Dappers with Larry Harrison. However, the group split-up not long after releasing their first recording. Carroll recruited a new group to tour but the project was short-lived.
Carroll then formed the duo Greg and Peg, with singer and guitarist. He then produced a session for former Orioles lead vocalist, Sonny Til. Then in 1960, Carroll recorded a single for Epic, ‘Wa Ding Dung Doo’ which failed to chart. This was a disappointment for him.
He formed a quartet The Halos in the early sixties with Al Showell, Doc Wheeler, and Doris Troy. While the new group wasn’t a commercial success, Carroll and Troy forged a successful songwriting partnership.
Troy had started writing songs in 1960 as Doris Payne. The first song she wrote with Carroll was ‘Just One Look.’ Troy recorded a demo of the song in October 1962 with producer Buddy Lucas. The recording took just ten minutes. When executives at Atlantic Records heard the demo, they decided not to rerecord the song and release it as a single.
It was released in 1963, with ‘Bossa Nova Blues’ on the B-side. Carroll and Payne cowrote the track with Rex Garvin. The single reached number three the US R&B chart and reached number ten in the US Billboard 100. Troy’s career was underway with a soul classic that featured an impassioned and needy vocal on what’s regarded as the definitive version of the song. It gave The Hollies a number two UK hit in 1964, and was also recorded by Linda Ronstadt, Anne Murray, Iain Mathews and Michelle Phillips.
Carroll, Payne and Garvin also penned ‘What’cha Gonna Do About It’ as the followup to ‘Just One Look.’ Troy’s voice is full of frustration and sadness on this relationship song. It was released later in 1963, and reached twenty-one in the US R&B chart. Sadly, it was Troy’s last hit single.
The Carroll and Payne continued to write songs, including ‘One More Chance’ with Eric Gale. Soon, though, Carroll would form another songwriting partnership.
He joined forces with Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson and penned ‘Please Little Angel.’ However, by 1970 Carroll rejoined one of his former groups.
The Orioles, featuring Sonny Til, had reformed and Carroll was a member of the group until 1987. He then joined a new incarnation of The Ink Spots which was led by Jim Nabbie. However, in 1994 Carroll called time on his musical career and retired to Ashe County, North Carolina.
Despite having retired, he occasionally performed at concerts. Music was in his blood, and was what he loved doing.
Sadly, Gregory Carroll passed away aged eighty-three, on 25th, January 2013, in Creston, North Carolina. He had enjoyed a long and successful career as an arranger, producer, singer and songwriter. Carroll wrote over 300 songs during his career including Doris Troy’s soul classic, ‘Just One Look.’
The Life and Career Of Gregory Carroll.
THE LIFE AND CAREER OF GRAHAM NASH.
The Life and Career Of Graham Nash.
Singer, songwriter and musician Graham William Nash, was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. His mother was evacuated from her hometown of Salford, at the outbreak of World War II. Later, though, the Nash family returned to Salford. That was where Nash met Allan Clarke. They started singing together, and later, formed a group.
This was The Hollies. They were joined in the group by bassist Eric Haydock and lead guitarist Vic Steele. Clark played guitar, harmonica and was the original vocalist.
The Hollies were booked to play a gig at Liverpool’s Cavern Club in January 1963. That night, they were spotted by Ron Richards, an assistant producer at Parlophone. He had worked on the first Beatles’ session. Richards was so impressed by The Hollies that he offered them an audition with Parlophone. However, guitarist Vic Steele didn’t want to become a professional musician and left the group.
Straight away, Tony Hicks was approached by Allan Clarke and Graham Nash to become Steele’s replacement.
Later in April 1963, The Hollies travelled to London for a test recording session with Parlophone staff producer Ron Richards. The group impressed Richards and they signed a contract with Parlophone. Richards would become their producer, and played an important part in the group’s success.
Unlike many groups, success came quickly for The Hollies. ‘(Ain’t That) Just Like Me’ was The Hollies’ debut single, and reached twenty-five in the UK in 1963. Their next two singles were covers. Leiber and Stoller’s ‘Searchin’’ reached number twelve in the UK, then Maurice Williams’ ‘Stay’ reached number eight giving The Hollies’ their biggest hit. Things would get better in 1964.
Their debut album ‘Stay With The Hollies’ reached number two in the UK. Little did the group realise that it would be the most successful of their twenty-one studio albums.
Later in 1964, The Hollies released their cover of ‘Just One Look’ which was released as a single by Doris Troy in 1963. She cowrote the song using her pen name Doris Payne with Gregory Carroll. The Hollies cover reached number two in the UK, ninety-eight in the US Billboard 100 and gave the group a hit in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Sweden. This was a taste of what was to come for the group.
‘Here I Go Again’ was released in May 1964, reaching number four in the UK and again, giving the group a hit in Australia, New Zealand and Sweden. Just a year after their test recording session for Parlophone, they had already enjoyed five hits in the UK including ‘Just One Look.’
By then, Clarke, Hicks and Nash were regularly writing songs together. This included ‘What Kind Of Love’ and ‘When I’m Not There’ with Clarke and Hicks. The trio also wrote songs using the nom de plum Lee Ransford. Ransford was the name of one of Nash’s grandparents. The songs they cowrote were ‘You’ll Be Mine,’ ‘Time For Love,’ ‘To You My Love,’ ‘We’re Through,’ ‘Set Me Free’ and ‘Please Don’t Feel Too Bad.’ None of these songs have ever been released.
The Hollies’ sophomore album ‘In The Hollies Style’ was released in 1964, but failed to chart. Six of the tracks were written by the group.
1965 was a big year for The Hollies. ‘I’m Alive’ gave their first and only number one single. It was a hit across the world. They also enjoyed top ten singles in the UK with ‘Yes I Will” and ‘Look Through Any Window.’ This success continued when their album ‘Would You Believe?’ reached number eight in the UK and 145 in the US Billboard 200. The Hollies were one of the British Invasion bands whose popularity was growing in the US.
By the mid-sixties, Clarke, Hicks and Nash were writing many of The Hollies’ songs. This included some of the biggest singles they released in the UK between 1965 and 1967. ‘Stop! Stop! Stop!’ reached number two; ‘On A Carousel’ number four, ‘Carrie Anne’ number three and ‘King Midas In Reverse’ number eighteen. The trio had the Midas touch when it came to songwriting, and The Hollies were one of Britain’s most successful musical exports.
Ironically, they didn’t write one of their biggest hits, ‘Bus Stop.’ It was penned by Graham Gouldman, who later, would find fame with 10CC. The single was a hit worldwide, and reached number five in the UK and US Billboard 100 in 1965. It was the group’s biggest hit in the US.
When The Everly Brothers recorded their ‘Two Yanks In England’ album in 1966, the album featured eight songs written by Clarke, Hicks and Nash. The trio had forged a successful songwriting partnership. However, the songwriting partnership would soon come to an end.
In 1968, Nash left the group. Hicks had suggested the group record a tribute album to Bob Dylan. Nash wasn’t in favour of recording what became ‘Hollies Sing Dylan,’ which was released in 1969. This was just one of a number of reasons why Nash left The Hollies and joined forces David Crosby and Stephen Stills.
Nash had first met Crosby and Stills when The Hollies toured the US during 1966. Then in 1968, Cass Elliot, a friend of Nash and Crosby, formally introduced the pair in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles. Upon leaving The Hollies, Crosby, Still and Nash (CSN) formed a trio.
In 1969, CSN released their eponymous debut album. Nash contributed three songs including the hit single ‘Marrakesh Express.’ The album was certified four times platinum, sold 6,500,000 copies worldwide and won a Grammy Award in 1970 for Best New Artist. Nash’s decision to leave The Hollies was vindicated. However, soon, three became four.
Neil Young joined the folk rock group before they recorded their sophomore album Déjà Vu in 1970. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s (CSNY) first album took 800 hours to record. However, the effort was worthwhile. The album featured two hit singles, including ‘Teach Your Children,’ penned by Nash, topped the US Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum seven times over. It looked the group was going to be one of the biggest of the seventies.
Especially when CSN’s live album, ‘4 Way Street’ was released in April 1971 and topped the US Billboard 200 chart. It was certified four times platinum four times over. However, the group split-up in 1974.
Meanwhile, had Nash embarked upon a solo career. His debut album, ‘Songs For Beginners,’ was released in 1971 and featured an all-star cast. The album was well received and was certified gold. That was as good as it got for Nash as a solo artist.
Then in 1972, Nash and Stills released the first of four studio albums. Their debut was ‘Graham Nash David Crosby.’ Nash wrote six of the eleven songs on the album. It was released to critical acclaim and was certified gold. So was 1975s ‘Wind On the Water’ and 1976s ‘Whistling Down the Wire.’ The only disappointment was when ‘Crosby-Nash’ stalled at fifty-two on the US Billboard 200.
Meanwhile, Nash’s sophomore solo album ‘Wild Tales,’ released in 1974, had failed to replicate the success of his debut. This would be a familiar story. However, a number of Nash’s solo albums are oft-overlooked hidden gems.
1977 saw the release of ‘CSN. It reached number two in the US Billboard 200, and was certified four times platinum in the US. Nash penned what is the group’s biggest hit single, ‘Just A Song Before I Go.’ Despite all this success, it was five years before the group returned with another album.
Nash released two albums during the eighties, 1980s ‘Earth and Fire’ and 1986s ‘Innocent Eyes.’ This was his last album for sixteen years.
During that period, CSN released ‘Daylight Again’ in 1982. It was certified platinum. The 1983 live album ‘Allies’ sold a million worldwide. Then CSNY’s 1988 album ‘American Dream’ was certified gold. Never again would another of their albums be as successful. This included the three other studio albums the group released, 1990s ‘Live It Up,’ 1994s ‘After The Storm’ and 1999s Looking Forward.’
In April 2002, Nash released his first studio album in sixteen years, ‘Songs For Survivors.’ It was a welcome return, but still commercial success eluded him.
Two years later, in 2004, Crosby and Nash their eponymous double album. Sadly, it was the final studio album they, or CSNY released.
Nash released his sixth solo album, ‘This Path Tonight’ in 2016. It was one of the most powerful and emotional albums he had released. Six years later, he released Live: Songs For Beginners/Wild Tales in 2022. The following year, 2023, Nash released ‘Now.’ Some songs were full of social and political comments, while others were love songs about his wife. Sixty years after The Hollies had enjoyed their first hit, Nash was still making music that was beautiful, powerful and relevant.
By then, Nash was aged eighty-one, and had come a long way since he formed The Hollies with his friend Allan Clarke. For five years, he had enjoyed success with The Hollies, and cowrote some of their biggest hits.
Then when he left the group and joined CSN, who then became CSNY, Nash enjoyed huge success. The group sold over seventy million albums. Nash played an important part in the group’s success, writing some of their best known songs. This included ‘Marrakesh Express,’ ‘Teach Your Children,’ ‘Our House’ and ‘Just a Song Before I Go.’
When the group was on hiatus, Crosby and Nash released a trio of albums that were released to plaudits and praise and certified gold between 1971 and 1976. They feature the duo at their best.
Nash has also released seven solo album. His debut ‘Songs For Beginners’ was certified gold and is regarded as his finest album. However, some of Nash’s other albums are hidden gems.
He’s a truly talented singer, songwriter and musician. A reminder of this is the music Nash made with The Hollies, CSN, CSNY and Stephen Stills over a sixty year period. Nash, who won a Grammy Award with CSN, and is also one of the few musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, first as a member of CSN, and then in 2010 as a member of The Hollies. It’s almost an understatement to say that Nash has enjoyed a long and illustrious career. However, that’s the case. Graham Nash was one of Britain’s music successful musical exports, and his songs are powerful, sometimes full of political and social comment, and other times, beautiful love songs that are truly timeless.
The Life and Career Of Graham Nash.
THE LIFE AND CAREER OF LANGSTON HUGHES.
The Life and Career Of Langston Hughes.
Multitalented is the word that describes James Mercer Langston Hughes. He was a novelist, newspaper columnist, poet, playwright, social activist and songwriter. Hughes is also credited as being one of the founding fathers of jazz poetry. It’s almost an understatement to say he was a remarkable man.
Hughes was born on February 1st, 1901, in Joplin, Missouri, but grew up in various Midwestern towns. However, when Hughes moved to New York as a young man, his career flourished.
Having graduated from high school in Cleveland, Ohio, Hughes enrolled at Columbia University, in New York City. However, he dropped out. By then, publishers were taking notice of his work.
From an early age, Hughes was already a prolific writer. After dropping out of Columbia University, Hughes’ was published in The Crisis magazine. Then in 1926, his first collection of poetry, ‘The Weary Blues,’ was published. He was only twenty-five. This was a huge achievement.
However, dropping out of his course at Columbia University must have been a disappointment for Hughes. So he enrolled at Lincoln University, in Pennsylvania, and eventually graduated.
As his career progressed, Hughes wrote further collections of poetry. He published ‘The Negro Mother and Other Dramatic Recitations’ and ‘Dear Lovely Death’ in 1931; ‘The Dream Keeper and Other Poems’ in 1932; ‘A New Song’ in 1937 and ‘Madrid 1937’ in 1938. It was about black Americans volunteering in the Spanish Civil War. Much of Hughes poetry, and many of his novels were portrayals of the lives of working class black people in America.
During the early part of his career, Hughes’ debut novel ‘Not Without Laughter’ was published in 1930. He also wrote collections of short stories. This included ‘The Ways Of White Folks,’ a collection of short stories published in 1934.
Hughes wrote some of his most important plays during the thirties, including ‘Mule Bone’ in 1931 and ‘Mulatto’ in 1935. Then in 1936, ‘Troubled Island,’ the opera he cowrote with William Grant Still made its debut.
Meanwhile, Hughes had cowritten his first children’s book ‘Popo and Fifina,’ with Arna Bontemps. Just like poetry, short stories, novels, plays and later, non-fiction, he would become a prolific writer of children’s books.
By the end of the thirties, Hughes had achieved a lot in a relatively short period of time. As well as his writing, he had cofounded the New York Suitcase Theater in 1931, and the same year, he and Prentiss Taylor had setup the Golden Stair Press. The thirties were one of the most productive of Hughes’ career.
In Chicago, in 1941, Hughes founded The Skyloft Players. He wanted to encourage and promote black playwrights and put on plays “from the black perspective.” Not long after founding the Players, Hughes was commissioned to write a column for the Chicago Defender. His new column featured some of his most important, influential and pertinent work. Especially between 1942 and 1962, when the civil rights movement gained traction and became a potent force in the search for equality. Hughes wasn’t just a writer he was a social activist.
He had also been one of the founding fathers of jazz poetry in the twenties. It was perceived as an outsider art form, which existed outside of the mainstream. Thirty years after its conception, the counterculture poets of the fifties, who were part of the Beat generation, turned their attention to jazz poetry. It was back in vogue, and later, would influence hip hop, especially poetry slams. Hughes continued to influence music even after his death.
However, in 1951, Hughes published ‘Montage of a Dream Deferred,’ a book-length poem suite, in the jazz poetry style. It portrays the lives of African-Americans living in Harlem during a twenty-four hour period. Nowadays, the book is regarded as one of the most important of Hughes’ career.
Two years later, Hughes was called to appear in front of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which was led by Senator Joseph McCarthy. Hughes was one of many actors, writers and poets who had to appear before the Subcommittee. He had previously been accused by many right wing politicians of being a Communist, but explained that he had never joined the Communist Party as: “It was based on strict discipline and the acceptance of directives that I, as a writer, did not wish to accept.” Following his appearance in front of the Subcommittee, Hughes decoded to distance himself from Communism and focused more on lyrical subjects.
Throughout the remainder of the fifties, Hughes continued to write collections of poetry and short stories as well as novels, non-fiction, children’s books and plays. He was a a prolific writer who was also a songwriter.
During the fifties, Hughes released five albums. They were ‘The Story Of Jazz – The First Album Of Jazz,’ The Dream Keeper and Other Poems Of Langston Hughes,’ ‘The Glory Of Negro History,’ ‘Rhythms Of The World’ and ‘The Weary Blues With Langston Hughes.’ These albums introduced Hughes, his poetry and music to a wider audience.
Hughes was also a songwriter, and with Samuel Heyward cowrote a number of songs. This included ‘Yesterday And Today,’ ‘Tired As I Can Be (So Tired Blues),’ Lament,’ ‘Mojo Blues,’ ‘Got To Live Blues’ and ‘Heartache Blues.’ It seemed that Hughes had been using his own experiences and what he had observed over the years to write these songs. He also cowrote ‘Made To Order Gal’ with Juanita R. Smith. Just like everything he did, Hughes turned out to be a talented songwriter.
Between 1950 and 1965 Hughes published his Simples’ series of books. The final book in the series turned out to be ‘Simple’s Uncle Sam,’ which was published in 1965. Sadly, two years later, Hughes passed away on May 22nd, 1967, in the Stuyvesant Polyclinic, in New York City, aged just sixty-six.
Langston Hughes was a prolific and award winning novelist, poet and playwright. He also founded a theatre company and a publishing company. Hughes was a social activist, and for twenty years, used his newspaper columns to champion and further the civil rights movement. He had a burning desire to rid America of the injustice and inequality, and played his part in bringing about change.
Throughout his life, Hughes was also an innovator. He was one of the pioneers of the jazz poetry movement. Music was part of his life, and for a one of the greatest wordsmiths of his generation, it’s no surprise that Hughes was also a songwriter. These songs, like his poetry, plays, novels and short stories are part of the legacy Langston Hughes’ left behind, and is still relevant today.
The Life and Career Of Langston Hughes.
THE LIFE AND CAREER OF ERIC GALE .
The Life and Career Of Eric Gale.
Jazz guitarist, sideman, songwriter and producer Eric Gale was born in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York, on September 20th, 1938. His grandfather was English and he also had relatives in Venezuela and Barbados. During the holidays, Gale spent time in Britain visiting family. This gave him a different worldview.
Aged twelve, Gale started playing guitar. By then, he was a pupil at various private, single-sex Catholic schools. He excelled at math and was a talented linguist who was fluent in French, German and Spanish. However, whilst at junior high school the budding guitarist spent time with a legend of jazz, saxophonist John Coltrane.
Gale used to skip school to visit Coltrane at his home, and sometimes, took part in jam sessions. These sessions inspired Gale’s inimitable style, and were part of his musical education.
After graduating high school, Gale enrolled at Niagara University, in New York. He graduated with a Masters degree in chemistry. However, much to his mother’s disappointment, he pursued a musical career than study for a PhD in chemistry.
In 1961, twenty-three year old Gale made his debut as a session musician, playing on Bobby Lewis’ ‘Tossin’ And Turnin.’ This was the first of over 600 singles and albums that Gale played on.
Over the next few year, Gale continued to work as a session musicians, working with King Curtis and Red Holloway. However, by then his career as a songwriter was also underway.
When Noble Watts released his single ‘Florida Shake’ in 1962, the B-side ‘Limbo Authentique,’ was written by Gale. This was the start of his songwriting career.
By 1965, Doris Troy was looking to replicate the success of ‘Just One Look’ and ‘What’cha Gonna Do About It.’ Troy using her pen name Doris Payne, joined forces with Gregory Carroll and Gale to write ‘One More Chance.’ The single was released in the UK and US March 1965 and features a needy, emotive and hurt-filled vocal as she vows to give her partner ‘One More Chance.’ However, the single wasn’t a commercial success in the US.
Payne and Gale wrote another song together, ’Think I’m Gonna Cry.’ Sadly, the song was never recorded by Troy.
Despite trying to forge a career as a songwriter, Gale was always in demand as a session musician. Between 1965 and 1969 he played on albums by everyone from Esther Phillips and Van Morrison to Jimmy McGriff, Nina Simone, Herbie Mann, Jimmy Smith, Pretty Purdie, George Benson, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Chico Hamilton and Quincy Jones. Gale was already the go-to-guitarist for many artists.
In 1970, Gale played on Roberta Flack’s classic sophomore album Chapter Two. He would play on other recordings by Flack.
Before that, Gale played on Aretha Franklin’s album Young, Gifted and Black, which was released in 1972 and certified gold. Nowadays, it’s regarded as one of her finest albums.
The same year, 1972, Gale played on Flack and Donny Hathaway’s hit single ‘Where Is the Love.’ It reached number five on the US Billboard 100, and won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Gale was, by then, hugely in-demand as a sideman.
By then, Gale was the session guitarist for CTI Records and its Kudu imprint. During the seventies, he was sideman on albums by Grover Washington Jr, Stanley Turrentine, Phillips, Benson, Bob James, Johnny “Hammond” Smith and Hubert Laws. Still Gale found time to embark on a solo career.
Gale signed to Kudu, and released his debut album ‘Forecast,’ in 1973. It was well received by critics. He was still contracted to CTi Records by the time he released the followup.
‘Negril’ was Gale’s sophomore album, and was released in 1975. It reflects his love of the beach and Negril, a beautiful Jamaican village. Gale wrote seven of the eight tracks. They were recorded in the Harry J Studio, in Kingston, Jamaica, and featured some of the country’s best known musicians, including members of The Wailers. The result was one of Gale’s finest albums.
Whilst working on the ‘Negril’ sessions, Flack phoned Gale to ask him to return to New York to play on her 1973 album ‘Killing Me Softly.’ Gale was reluctant to leave Jamaican and return to New York, so Flack flew members of her band to him. Eventually, Gale was persuaded to return to New York and played on what’s now regarded as a classic album. It reached number two on the US Billboard 200, and the title-track topped the US Billboard 100. It also won a Grammy Award for the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Gale’s guitar playing played its part in the success of Flack’s fourth solo album.
Gale continued to combine his work as session guitarist at CTi with his solo career, and played on albums by some by Ashford and Simpson, Randy Crawford, Joe Cocker, Richard Holmes and on Van McCoy’s 1975 hit ‘The Hustle’. Still, Gale found time to cofound a new group, Stuff.
The newly-founded all-star jazz-fusion band released their debut album ‘Stuff’ in 1976. It was released to critical acclaim and certified gold. So was the followup ‘More Stuff,’ when it was released in 1977. The group then released ‘Live Stuff’ in 1978, and then ‘Stuff It’ in 1979 which became their third album to be certified gold. ‘Live in New York,’ which was released in 1980, was the group’s last album for fourteen years.
Meanwhile, Gale continued to combine session work with his solo career. He had signed to Columbia, and between 1977 and 1980 released four albums for the label. The first was ‘Ginseng Woman,’ an album of smooth jazz released in 1977. This was followed by ‘Multiplication’ later that year and ‘Part Of You’ in 1979. Stylistically it was similar to ‘Ginseng Woman.’ However, Gale changed direction on 1980s ‘Touch Of Silk,’ which veered between funky to dark and bluesy. Although the album was well received by critics, it wasn’t a commercial success. It marked the end of Gale’s Columbia years.
During that three year period, he had played on albums by Ashford and Simpson, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Charles Earland, Kenny Loggins, Carly Simon, Melba Moore, Teddy Pendergrass and disco diva Loleatta Holloway. Gale also played on two hugely successful albums during the late-seventies.
The first was Billy Joel’s sixth studio album ‘52nd Street,’ released in 1978. It topped the US Billboard 200, and won two Grammy Awards.
Then in 1979, Gale played on Diana Ross’ album ‘The Boss.’ It was a mixture of disco, R&B and soul. The album reached number fourteen on the Billboard 200, and was certified gold. Gale would be reunited with both Joel and Ross in the future.
Gale worked with Ross on her 1981 album ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love.’ it marked her production debut, and became Ross’ second album to be certified platinum. The success continued with Ross’ 1982 album ‘Silk Electric,’ which was certified gold. Gale returned to play on her 1983 album ‘Ross.’ By then, Gale had played on one of the biggest albums of the early eighties.
That year, 1983, Billy Joel released ‘An Innocent Man.’ It was a captivating combination of doo wop, soul, pop and rock ’n’ roll that caught the imagination of the record buying public worldwide. It was certified gold in Australia and Hong Kong; platinum in New Zealand; triple platinum in the UK and was certified seven times platinum in the US after selling seven million copies. It was the most successful album Gale had played on.
Meanwhile, Gale had released a further three solo albums. He had signed to Elektra, and released ‘Blue Horizon’ in 1982. It found Gale exploring various genres, and was one of the most eclectic albums of his career. Despite being well received by critics it wasn’t a commercial success.
Gale then released ’In The Shade Of A Tree’ for the Japanese label JVC later in 1982. The album was released to critical acclaim and was a commercial success. It was ironic that Gale was more popular in Japan than in the US.
Then in 1983, Gale returned with ‘Island Breeze’ his second album for Elektra. It featured a new band who flitted between beautiful ballads to funk, jazz, smooth fusion and soul. This was another eclectic album. Sadly, despite its quality and positive reviews the album wasn’t a commercial success and Gale left Elektra after two albums.
He didn’t release another album for four years, and during that period, he continued to work as a session musician. He played guitar on ‘The Way You Make Me Feel,’ which featured on Michael Jackson’s 1987 album ‘Bad.’ When the song was released as a single it topped the US Billboard 100 chart, while the album sold forty-five million copies worldwide.
A year later, in 1988, Gale released two albums, ‘In a Jazz Tradition’ and ‘Let’s Stay Together.’ Sadly, they were the last solo albums released during his lifetime.
In November 1993, Stuff reformed and recorded ‘Made In America (A Remembrance Of Richard Tee). The album was released in 1994, the same year that Eric Gale passed away.
Gale was just fifty-five when he died of lung cancer on May 25th, 1994, in Baja, California. He had enjoyed a career that spanned four decades. During his carer, Gale released eleven solo albums and played on over 600 singles and albums. Eric Gale was a musician’s musician who played alongside the great and good of music. His versatility was one of the reasons Gale was constantly in demand as a session musician. Seamlessly he could switch between musical genres. This he often did on the eleven albums he released during his career.
Although Gale is best remembered as a solo artist and sideman, he was also a producer and talented songwriter. The songs he wrote over four decades a reminder of that, while his eleven solo albums feature one of the most talented jazz guitarists of his generation.
The Life and Career Of Eric Gale.
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