In direct relation to yesterday's post, here an absolute MESMERIZING side from Ms. Matthews herself. A web pal of mine who was "on the scene" in Detroit back in the day confirmed that the Wonderettes record posted yesterday is, in fact a Detroit record and also confirmed that Johnnie Mae was a very important figure on the scene; as an early mentor to Berry Gordy as well as being the first African-American woman to own and run her own recording studio. What a pioneer!
While not embarrassing the more sophisticated Motown sound, Johnnie Mae turns in a performance that oozes Detroit soul of the most raw variety on this cut. And also note the "Matthews" production credit!
from 1963...
JOHNNIE MAE MATTHEWS - MY DESTINATION (IS TRUE LOVE)
OK. She's definitely the one that worked with the Distants/Temptations. That "Come On" single is on Northern Records.
ReplyDeleteIf you've seen the Temptations miniseries (it is on TV every five minutes) she isn't portrayed in a very positive light.
Great song! I like the roughness....
ReplyDeleteawesome tune.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDelete