When one sees the names "Betty Everett", "Johnny Pate", and "Mary Wells' on a label, it is virtually guaranteed to be fantastic, and this record testifies to that case.
While Betty Everett's run of hits almost ended completely with the collapse of the Vee-Jay records empire in 1965, she continued to release some great records (including some fantastic funky sides), and this, a cover of Mary Wells first release (from 1960) is my personal favorite. Johnny Pate is the brilliant, Chicago based arranger/ producer/ musician whose magic touch graced so many exciting records during this period; Johnny definitely knew how to propel an arrangement into the stratosphere. Check out the rolling drums, tasteful horns and backing vocals, bubbling bass and of course Betty's soaring vocals.
from 1967...
3 comments:
Thanks Derek This gem tops off a great week of tunes covering the whole spectrum of 45 culture. No limits, baby. Keep up the good work.!
hey Derek. hm. what can i say. i would love to dance with you under the moonlight. your blog rocks and rules and shakes my hips from east to west .. thanks so much for your work. Here come Hugs and some handkisses just for you ...
Well a big thanks to both of you! Sweet comments like these help keep me going.
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