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Monday, March 7, 2011

THE CHESSMEN - WHY CAN'T I BE YOUR MAN


Who IS this group??? This was the only single released by Chess records by "The Chessmen", but this group is obviously experienced and were not the type of neophytes that would cut one record and disappear. This classy record (which bears a strong hook resemblence to "I Can't Help Myself") is simply incredible. Could it be the Dells in disguise??? My vote is that it has to be either a group under pseudonym or a super group of the Chess stable. Whoever they are, they cut a fantastic record!

There were other groups in the 60's billing themselves as The Chessmen and also The Original Chessmen, but I would be willing to bet that none of them had anything to do with this group.

from 1966...

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cheers man.This is a great tune.

ana-b said...

I don't know anything about the Chessmen, but George Semper did most, if not all, of his production work in California. There's a very good chance the record was just leased to Chess.

In fact, there's a mention of a non-Chicago first issue of the 45 on one of the soul forums, but no label scan offered as proof, so take it for what it's worth.

ana...