PERCY MAYFIELD - STRANGER IN MY OWN HOMETOWN

On this Thanksgiving day, among many other things, I am thankful for music and the fact that so many brilliant artists have bared their souls and performed music from their heart. Music is the greatest healing force...

This Percy Mayfield track combines an ultra-swinging background with Percy's deep confessional lyrics and massively soulful voice. You better believe that I'm thankful for it.

from 1964...

EDDIE BO & INEZ CHEATHAM - A LOVER AND A FRIEND

Best drum intro of all time? It just might be this track! If you've been hanging around here for a while its' no secret how much I love New Orleans records. I bet that even if I continue my voracious record buying for the rest of my life it would STILL be impossible to unearth all of the 45 RPM treasures from the big easy. I must say, however, that I feel very very lucky to own records like this and this is what drives me to share this stuff with friends around the world; it's just TOO GOOD to sit on my shelves without being shared. This record was a huge local NOLA hit on the legendary SEVEN B label, and it was picked up for national action by Capitol, however it didn't go anywhere on the charts.

from 1968...

OTIS RUSH - I'M SATISFIED

Today's entry takes us back to Chicago in the days when blues, soul, gospel influenced testifying meet up in a south side stew that completely blows my mind to pieces.

from 1960...

BARBARA LEWIS - SPEND A LITTLE TIME

Certain artists sound SO GOOD on a Sunday morning, and Ms Lewis is certainly a Sunday favorite around here. Not only do we get Barbara's lovely vocals, but that's the mighty DELLS on backing vocals. Now THAT is a match made in soul heaven.

from 1964...

R. DEAN TAYLOR - THERE'S A GHOST IN MY HOUSE

Having one of the most massive intros EVER, this song was discovered by British DJ Ian Levine in the golden days of Northern soul in the early 70's. Taylor was a white artist who recorded for Motown subsidiary VIP records, and this one completely flopped until the UK DJ's started spinning. While (in my opinion) the verses are kinda awkward (but cool) that intro and those choruses make up for an absolutely killing record. (Note; my copy on "Tamla Motown" as seen in the scan is a 70s British press; the record became so massive it was reissued in the UK to meet demands)

from 1966...

THE TRADE WINDS - NEW YORK'S A LONELY TOWN

While it is very easy to feature soul/ r&b singles exclusively (since there's SO many good ones it's staggering) often I feel that it's necessary to give some space for somethin' different...

Today's entry is a beautiful east coast answer to the Beach Boys from this Providence, RI group made up of Peter Andreoli and Vincent Poncia, Jr., and had previously had a hit single together (with a third member, Norman Marzano) under the name The Videls with a song called "Mr. Lonely" which was basically a late period doo wop record.

This song didn't place very high on the charts (only #31) but it sure sounds great, in its aping of the Brian Wilson sound.

from 1965...

THE TRADE WINDS - NEW YORK'S A LONELY TOWN

THE WEBS - THIS THING CALLED LOVE

I can't seem to find ANY info about this group! Just from the label we can gather that they were produced by the mighty Lou Courtney (he of the MONSTER tracks "Hey Joyce" and "I've Got Just The Thing") and this track is in that vein (hard pounding r&b). If anyone has any more info on who the Webs were, PLEASE write and let me know. I know they cut a few other 45's (one of which tends to be quite expensive).

from 1967...

THE MAGICTONES - HAPPY DAYS

This Detroit group released quite a few singles between 1966-1972, but they all flopped miserably. Luckily, the climate of the music business was a polar opposite of what it is today and a non-hitmaking group was actually allowed more chances. Lucky for us, this resulted in gems like todays entry. In fact, that climate is responsible for most of the records featured here. Ahh, those were the days...

from 1969...

THE WHISPERS - AS I SIT HERE

This beautiful deep soul harmony song is from LA based (and LONG running) band the Whispers. Vocal harmony perfection and oh so sweet for a Sunday.

from 1965...

THE WHISPERS - AS I SIT HERE

GARNET MIMMS - PROVE IT TO ME

As one of the finest purveyors of deep soul, Garnet Mimms also snuck out a few uptempo tracks that will knock you off of your feet. Here's one of them and this is one of those records that just keeps reaching higher and higher until the drummer hits this sideways fill 3 quarters of the way through and nobody has a chance to not surrender to its' majesty.

from 1966...

GARNET MIMMS - PROVE IT TO ME

THE BUCHANAN BROTHERS - MEDICINE MAN (pt 1)

This strangely addictive record is one that I discovered recently, and turns out it was a minor hit. It reminds me of some of the Super K/ Buddah records productions that lean towards bubblegum rock with a hint of r&b rhythm. I like this one the more I hear it and hope you do too.

from 1969...