A two-man, two-woman vocal group with a penchant for recording soap-opera ballads dealing with adultery, the Soul Children were signed to Stax Records in the late '60s and first clicked on the soul charts with the multi-part "The Sweeter He Is." Their biggest hit came in late 1974 with "I'll Be the Other Woman," which dented the pop Top 40. After Stax closed its doors in 1975, they recorded for Epic and later some up-tempo dance singles for Fantasy's reactivated Stax label.
Review by Richie Unterberger (Allmusic)
A respectable record that, even more than many Stax albums from the late '60s and early '70s, has a substantial gospel influence. Gospel was an influence in just about every soul record, of course, but you really hear it with this quartet, especially in the opening, eight-minute "I Want to Be Loved." The mood is funky but a bit more low-key and subdued than was the case on many such LPs of the time, which is a plus — it makes the record stand out from the crowd a little. The presence of different male and female lead singers, and shared leads within the same song, also gives it some welcome variety, even if the group didn't have what it took to be considered among the top tier of soulsters, either in terms of vocals or material. J. Blackfoot's hoarse, scratchy leads (like a muted mixture of James Brown and Otis Redding) provide the most distinctive voice. And it's his lead that paces "Hearsay," the album's upbeat hit single, which made number five on the R&B charts and the middle of the pop charts. The album was paired with 1974's Friction on a single-disc CD reissue.
SEE comments
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
SPYDER TURNER
Biography by Ed Hogan
Born Dwight Turner in 1947 in Beckley, WV, he grew up in Detroit, MI. As a teenager, Turner sang in doo wop groups and in glee clubs. Producer/engineer Clay McMurray submitted a demo of Turner performing "guess-timating" imitations of Jackie Wilson, David Ruffin, Billy Stewart, Smokey Robinson, and Chuck Jackson singing "Stand By Me" to MGM Records. MGM issued the demo as a record. Spyder Turner's cover of "Stand By Me went to number three R&B, number 12 pop on Billboard's charts in February 1967. MGM released a 1967 album, Stand By Me, which reached number 14 R&B/number 158 pop in spring 1967. The follow-up single, "I Can't Make It Anymore," charted number 95 pop that same year. In 1996, the Collectables label reissued the album as Golden Classics Edition: Stand By Me. Turner stayed active in the business, doing concerts and working behind the scenes. The singer/songwriter's "Do the Dance" was a number four R&B/number 39 pop smash for Rose Royce on former Motown producer Norman Whitfield's (the Temptations' 70s hits) Warner Bros.-distributed label Whitfield Records. In 1998, Detroit-based Turner had a regional hit on an independent release.
**SEE comments
Born Dwight Turner in 1947 in Beckley, WV, he grew up in Detroit, MI. As a teenager, Turner sang in doo wop groups and in glee clubs. Producer/engineer Clay McMurray submitted a demo of Turner performing "guess-timating" imitations of Jackie Wilson, David Ruffin, Billy Stewart, Smokey Robinson, and Chuck Jackson singing "Stand By Me" to MGM Records. MGM issued the demo as a record. Spyder Turner's cover of "Stand By Me went to number three R&B, number 12 pop on Billboard's charts in February 1967. MGM released a 1967 album, Stand By Me, which reached number 14 R&B/number 158 pop in spring 1967. The follow-up single, "I Can't Make It Anymore," charted number 95 pop that same year. In 1996, the Collectables label reissued the album as Golden Classics Edition: Stand By Me. Turner stayed active in the business, doing concerts and working behind the scenes. The singer/songwriter's "Do the Dance" was a number four R&B/number 39 pop smash for Rose Royce on former Motown producer Norman Whitfield's (the Temptations' 70s hits) Warner Bros.-distributed label Whitfield Records. In 1998, Detroit-based Turner had a regional hit on an independent release.
**SEE comments
Monday, April 28, 2008
MIGHTY JOE YOUNG
There was a time during the late '70s and early '80s when Mighty Joe Young was one of the leading blues guitarists on Chicago's budding North side blues circuit. The Louisiana native got his start not in the Windy City, but in Milwaukee, where he was raised. He earned a reputation as a reliable guitarist on Chicago's West side with Joe Little & his Heart Breakers during the mid-'50s, later changing his on-stage allegiance to harpist Billy Boy Arnold. Young recorded with Arnold for Prestige and
Testament during the '60s and backed Jimmy Rogers for Chess in 1958.
After abortive attempts to inaugurate a solo career with Jiffy Records in Louisiana in 1955 and Chicago's Atomic-H label three years later, Young hit his stride in 1961 with the sizzling "Why Baby"/"Empty Arms" for Bobby Robinson's Fire label. Young gigged as Otis Rush's rhythm guitarist from 1960 to 1963 and cut a series of excellent Chicago blues 45s for a variety of firms: "I Want a Love," "Voo Doo Dust," and "Something's Wrong" for Webcor during the mid-'60s; "Something's Wrong" for Webcor in 1966; "Sweet Kisses" and "Henpecked" on Celtex and "Hard Times (Follow Me)" for USA (all 1967), and "Guitar Star" for Jacklyn in 1969. Young even guested on Bill "Hoss" Allen's groundbreaking 1966 syndicated R&B TV program The Beat in Dallas. Late-'60s session work included dates with Tyrone Davis and
Jimmy Dawkins.
Delmark issued Young's solo album debut, Blues With a Touch of Soul, in 1971, but a pair of mid-'70s LPs for Ovation (1974's Chicken Heads and an eponymous set in 1976) showcased the guitarist's blues-soul synthesis far more effectively.
JOE'S main local haunt during the '70s and early '80s was Wise Fools Pub, where he packed 'em in nightly (with Freddy King's brother, Benny Turner, on bass).
In 1986 Joe began work on a self-financed recording that would finally allow him to have complete artistic control.
At this time he also discovered surgery was needed on a pinched nerve in his neck. Following the operation, complications arose that affected his ability to play guitar. As part of physical therapy he continued to work on the album sporadically until Mighty Man was finally released in 1997. Unfortunately health problems continued to plague Mighty Joe and he passed away on March 25, 1999 in Chicago. He was 71.
My Note:
Joe was my friend for over 35 years. He came to my town at least 4 times a year - so for one month of each year there he was with his infectious smile, and slow and easy conversation and witticisms. And looking for some home coooking for the band. ...
Funny enough - it was Willie Dixon (R.I.P.) who gave me a nickname because he thought there might be some discrimnation going on - after all he had been coming to my home town much longer - and never got fed!! And so for many years my nickname was 'the cook'. LOL. I think Willie actually forgot what my name was ... but they always (Willie & Joe) played my favourite song and dedicated it to 'the cook' ....
Joe ran a tight band - with great precision. No drugs, no alcohol, stiff fines for being late, or missing a practice. And always he wanted his band to be gentlemen - no cussin' either!!
Benny Turner was his band leader for many years. Last I heard, Benny was band leader for Bryan Lee down in the Big Easy. You just never knew who would be in the band when he arrived. There were musician problems with them crossing the border. And so sometimes he would arrive short a musician or two - make a phone call and another musician friend would jump a plane - and so often there were great guest musicians.
Joe's tragic passing in 1999 from complications resulting from elective surgery did not just deprive his family, friends and fans of his unforgettable presence. It also deprived the new generation of blues musicians and listeners the opportunity to become acquainted with an artist who was a link between the glory days of 'old' Chicago blues and the contemporary blues scene. Even though Joe's woefully few recordings will continue to afford new listeners the chance to hear him, they unfortunately do not bear witness to the power of his live performances. Joe invested every single appearance with incredible presence and showmanship, reflecting his love for both his music and his audience.
You never left a show - feeling let down. The only thing you ever felt - was it was over all too soon. And for me it was .....
My friend - R.I.P. - I miss you.
SEE Comments
Testament during the '60s and backed Jimmy Rogers for Chess in 1958.
After abortive attempts to inaugurate a solo career with Jiffy Records in Louisiana in 1955 and Chicago's Atomic-H label three years later, Young hit his stride in 1961 with the sizzling "Why Baby"/"Empty Arms" for Bobby Robinson's Fire label. Young gigged as Otis Rush's rhythm guitarist from 1960 to 1963 and cut a series of excellent Chicago blues 45s for a variety of firms: "I Want a Love," "Voo Doo Dust," and "Something's Wrong" for Webcor during the mid-'60s; "Something's Wrong" for Webcor in 1966; "Sweet Kisses" and "Henpecked" on Celtex and "Hard Times (Follow Me)" for USA (all 1967), and "Guitar Star" for Jacklyn in 1969. Young even guested on Bill "Hoss" Allen's groundbreaking 1966 syndicated R&B TV program The Beat in Dallas. Late-'60s session work included dates with Tyrone Davis and
Jimmy Dawkins.
Delmark issued Young's solo album debut, Blues With a Touch of Soul, in 1971, but a pair of mid-'70s LPs for Ovation (1974's Chicken Heads and an eponymous set in 1976) showcased the guitarist's blues-soul synthesis far more effectively.
JOE'S main local haunt during the '70s and early '80s was Wise Fools Pub, where he packed 'em in nightly (with Freddy King's brother, Benny Turner, on bass).
In 1986 Joe began work on a self-financed recording that would finally allow him to have complete artistic control.
At this time he also discovered surgery was needed on a pinched nerve in his neck. Following the operation, complications arose that affected his ability to play guitar. As part of physical therapy he continued to work on the album sporadically until Mighty Man was finally released in 1997. Unfortunately health problems continued to plague Mighty Joe and he passed away on March 25, 1999 in Chicago. He was 71.
My Note:
Joe was my friend for over 35 years. He came to my town at least 4 times a year - so for one month of each year there he was with his infectious smile, and slow and easy conversation and witticisms. And looking for some home coooking for the band. ...
Funny enough - it was Willie Dixon (R.I.P.) who gave me a nickname because he thought there might be some discrimnation going on - after all he had been coming to my home town much longer - and never got fed!! And so for many years my nickname was 'the cook'. LOL. I think Willie actually forgot what my name was ... but they always (Willie & Joe) played my favourite song and dedicated it to 'the cook' ....
Joe ran a tight band - with great precision. No drugs, no alcohol, stiff fines for being late, or missing a practice. And always he wanted his band to be gentlemen - no cussin' either!!
Benny Turner was his band leader for many years. Last I heard, Benny was band leader for Bryan Lee down in the Big Easy. You just never knew who would be in the band when he arrived. There were musician problems with them crossing the border. And so sometimes he would arrive short a musician or two - make a phone call and another musician friend would jump a plane - and so often there were great guest musicians.
Joe's tragic passing in 1999 from complications resulting from elective surgery did not just deprive his family, friends and fans of his unforgettable presence. It also deprived the new generation of blues musicians and listeners the opportunity to become acquainted with an artist who was a link between the glory days of 'old' Chicago blues and the contemporary blues scene. Even though Joe's woefully few recordings will continue to afford new listeners the chance to hear him, they unfortunately do not bear witness to the power of his live performances. Joe invested every single appearance with incredible presence and showmanship, reflecting his love for both his music and his audience.
You never left a show - feeling let down. The only thing you ever felt - was it was over all too soon. And for me it was .....
My friend - R.I.P. - I miss you.
SEE Comments
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
MAXINE BROWN
Maxine Brown was one of the most underrated Soul and R&B vocalists of the '60s. During the '60s she released a series of singles, with only a couple of songs — "All in My Mind," "Funny," "Something You Got," "Oh No Not My Baby" — managing to become either pop or R&B hits. Despite her lack of hits, Brown is acknowledged as one of the finest R&B vocalists of her time, capable of delivering soul, jazz, and pop with equal aplomb.
** SEE Comments
** SEE Comments
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
