BESSIE BANKS - GO NOW

Under the excellent production skills of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Bessie achieves sonic nirvana on this track (which could easily place high on a list of the thousand greatest songs ever written, as well).

Like many other folks, I first heard this performed by Wings (from "Wings Over America") then heard the Moody Blues cover, then ended up at the original version last. All three recordings are very close to my heart.

Not a whole lot more needs to be said about this one.

from 1964...

BESSIE BANKS - GO NOW

THE PRETTY THINGS - ROSALYN

Here we have the debut single from the UK's greatest r&b group...The Pretty Things! This is a tough record to find (especially this US pressing) and it took me many years of patience to track it down (well worth the wait). As many times as I've heard this song, I still shake my head in disbelief at the intensity of the way these guys played. I can only imagine what their live shows were like in this era! These guys were ahead of their time in so many ways; longer hair than any other band and good golly did they keep it real.

I can't say enough positive words about these guys; whether it's the early r&b material or the psychedelic years. Hell; their 70's era hard rock isn't my cuppa tea but they sure did a fine job with it nonetheless. All hail the Pretties; a group that have never gotten the fame that was truly due.

from 1964...

THE PRETTY THINGS - ROSALYN

ANNA KING - MAMA'S GOT A BAG OF HER OWN b/w SALLY

Behold; probably THE greatest double sided swan song 45's...Fitting that it was released on END records.

Anna King had just become free of former boss James Brown (she was female lead singer in the group for close to two years) when she cut this blazing record. After this release, Anna went back to singing gospel music exclusively, eventually giving up singing altogether in 1976 to become a minister.

Wand records producer Luther Dixon discovered her singing with a gospel group in 1961 and persuaded her to perfprm secular material; she had a few releases before replacing Tammi Terrell in the James Brown group (she also cut a few sides on her own during this time).

So here we have her free of the Godfather, answering his recently-released "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag"; paving the way for all future "diss" recordings so prevalent in the hip hop world.

The B-side, 'Sally", is a thing of incredible beauty. Who would think that it would be possible to whip out such a gorgeous song about man stealing?

A truly remarkable record; too bad it was Anna's last stand.

from 1965...

ANNA KING - MAMA'S GOT A BAG OF HER OWN

LEE WILLIAMS & THE CYMBALS - IT'S EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU (THAT I LOVE)

Here's another superb track from this New York City group that released a handful of records before fading away. There is a Lee Williams who is all over the web as a gospel singer and band leader...Is it the same guy?????

from 1968...

LEE WILLIAMS & THE CYMBALS - IT'S EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU (THAT I LOVE)

DELLA HUMPHREY - DON'T MAKE THE GOOD GIRLS GO BAD

From what I understand, Della was a VERY young lady (perhaps 11 years old?) when this record (and the other two she cut for Philadelphia's Arctic label) was released. Kinda mind boggling that such a young girl could have pipes so powerful!

Special props to the drummer for playing with so much swing on such a relatively slow number. The musicianship on this track is truly outstanding; such a groove. Also note this song is co-written/ co-produced by Clarence Reid (aka Blowfly).

from 1968...

DELLA HUMPHREY - DON'T MAKE THE GOOD GIRLS GO BAD

THE THOUGHTS - ALL NIGHT STAND B/W MEMORY OF LOVE

Here's an incredible double sider, late period British Invasion record.

The A side was written by Ray Davies, and is typically of the superlative work he waxed with the Kinks during this era, and the B side, written by members of The Thoughts; lead singer Peter Beckett (age 18 at the time) and lead guitarist Phil Boardman. There were tow versions released; the UK version is slower and moodier, and this (far superior, in my opinion) version is much more cracking and uptempo.

The Thoughts got their start as a backing group for other singers, and they toiled in obscurity after this record was released. Peter Beckett almost became a member of Badfinger, and eventually had a huge hit with "Baby Come Back" with his group Player.

The huge hit SHOULD have been "All Night Stand", eleven years earlier!

from 1966...

THE THOUGHTS - ALL NIGHT STAND

SLY, SLICK & WICKED - SHO' NUFF

Until I did a little bit of research this morning to write up todays entry, I just assumed that this was the Los Angeles area group with the same name that recorded "Confessin' A Feeling" (a past 45 of the day). It's not! This is a group from Cleveland, OH that formed roughly around the same time and were eventually tapped by James Brown to become a part of his People Records family of soul.

When the west coast SSW began touring the underground oldies circuit in the mid 90's, legal action from the midwest group followed suit. However, it was determined that the west coast group has legal rights to the name (odd, as the midwest group released a record first).

Anyhow, this is a sublime side of SWEET soul; harmony laden with a beautiful arrangement and that incredible opening electric piano hook.

from 1973...

SLY, SLICK & WICKED - SHO' NUFF

BETTYE SWANN - MY HEART IS CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

Here's one for all my friends in frigid who are shivering through this long, drawn out winter.

Bettye left Shreveport, LA for Los Angeles in the mid 60's seeking stardom and had one minor hit ("Make Me Yours", a past 45 of the day). She recorded through the mid 70's but never achieved fame. She truly deserved better. She was also the writer of this melancholy, dreamy and beautiful song.

from 1968...

BETTYE SWANN - MY HEART IS CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

THE WOODEN NICKELS - NOBODY BUT YOU

Here is perhaps one of the ultimate one-off records. Other than being a staple of collectors' want lists around the world for many years, no one seems to know ANYTHING about this group.

Vault records was located in Los Angeles, so it's safe to say this is an L.A area record. The song was written by Chester & Gary Pipkin who started out in doo wop groups and ended up becoming versatile composers throughout the 60's and beyond.

One thing that is certain is that this is one of the hottest 45's of the 60's; the band is cookin, and the female lead/ male backing vocals are uplifting to put it mildly. The low-fi recording only adds to the excitement (part of this may be some groove damage to my copy but with a record like this, no big deal. This is a record that I just wanna hear over and over again, LOUD.

STOP THE PRESS: I was just informed by someone that the vocals on this track are Brenda Holloway. It figures! Thanks, Jay.

from 1966...

THE WOODEN NICKELS - NOBODY BUT YOU

THE RINGLEADERS - BABY WHAT HAS HAPPENED (TO OUR LOVE)

It was surprisingly difficult to find any info about these guys, especially considering this record has achieved legendary status (for good reason!).

Turns out this is the only record they released (at least under this name). The group was from Saginaw, MI and travelled to Chicago to put this song onto wax.

A superb record. That beat, those yearning vocals...Incredible stuff indeed.

from 1966...

THE RINGLEADERS - BABY WHAT HAS HAPPENED (TO OUR LOVE)

JOY LOVEJOY - IN ORBIT

These record seems to be a Chicago one-off, although some speculate that Joy Lovejoy is a pseudonym for another singer, although to my ears she doesn't sound like any of the possible suspects!

Whatever the true story is, it's a killer record.

from 1967...

JOY LOVEJOY - IN ORBIT