Oh what a great song. What a SMOKIN' vocal performance!
Linda Lyndell was from Florida and was (correct me if I'm wrong) the only white female singer signed to Stax/ Volt before 1970.
This song went nowhere on the charts when it was released, but of course in the 90's the remake/remodel by EnVogue went mega huge (and it's not half the record that this is, IMO).
from 1969...
LINDA LYNDELL - WHAT A MAN
8 comments:
This truly is untouchable. What a great way to start the day, Derek! Thanks.
holy CRAP. THANK YOU.
You're very welcome!
I think I read somewhere that Lynda is an American Indian. Cherokee extraction, I think.
Derek, you hit the nail on the head when describing the EnVogue version of this song - overblown, overproduced & completely soulless as I recall.
pure funk!
Thanks, Derek. "Linda Lyndell" is Linda Rowland, who grew up around Gainesville, Florida. Her producer was the only white musician ever in Ike and Tina's horn section, my best friend of 40 years, Charles Steadham.
She is Anglo, as is Charles, whose stage name was Charlie Blade. They both became fascinated and obsessed with R&B, and made significant personal sacrifices to make it a career for a good many years in the 60's / 70's. They both performed exclusively in otherwise all-black bands.
She is still alive, and is aware of the subsequent versions and samples from her work, including one by Salt n Pepa.
Charles and I are working on a documentary about the north Florida R&B scene in those days. Check davidandhijin.com, go to "Sarah's Place." We filmed a reunion concert with players and audience members from "back in the day."
Geronimo! Thanks for the details. I have just been hipped to the story of Charles by my friend Harold Fethe. Very cool to hear that Linda was part of that scene as well. Can't wait to see the documentary.
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