EDDIE PURRELL - THE SPOILER

As I was sitting here thinking about what I wanted to post today, the thought came to mind that I haven't represented the great city of Memphis enough recently!

Written by Booker T Jones and Duck Dunn for Detroit native Eddie Purrell, this record drips with Memphis mojo. Those Memphis cats (I'm gonna assume it's MG Al Jackson on drums) had a way to keep the energy up but have a relaxed feel that has never been duplicated by anyone, anywhere.

As for singer Eddie, I believe he only released two 45's. He certainly deserved better, as his voice is excellent and full of attitude.

from 1967...

EDDIE PURRELL - THE SPOILER

DARROW FLETCHER - I'VE GOTTA KNOW WHY

Simply another incredible song from child prodigy Darrow Fletcher. Darrow has a near perfect discography with practically no dud releases.

from 1966...

DARROW FLETCHER - I'VE GOTTA KNOW WHY

BILLY BUTLER - (I'VE GOT A FEELING) YOU'RE GONNA BE SORRY

Who is this, the Impressions?

One would definitely be forgiven for mistaking this majestic track as being an Impressions cut. No surprise, as it was not only written by Curtis Mayfield but Billy Butler is also the younger brother of Jerry Butler. Curtis is certainly singing backups as well.

This record is yet another page in a chapter in the big book of Chicago soul; I simply don't think it's possible for anyone with a heart to listen to a record like this and not enjoy it. Curtis had a way with his writing to take a subject with a dark or heavy message and make it swing as heard here.

Billy was only 20 years old when this record was cut, and he had been recording for two years by this point.

from 1965...

BILLY BUTLER - (I'VE GOT A FEELING) YOU'RE GONNA BE SORRY

THE ETHICS - SAD SAD STORY

Here's an absolutely gorgeous ballad from this Philadelphia group. Vocals are smooth as silk, and the production is full of those big Philly production hallmarks- strings, vibes, horns, and the kitchen sink.

from 1969...

THE ETHICS - SAD SAD STORY

MISS LAVELL - RUN TO YOU

While her greatest success was in writing "Lead Me On" (a massive r&b hit for Bobby Bland), Houston, TX native Miss LaVell (aka LaVelle White) also cut some great records on her own. LaVell performed regularly in the Texas/ Louisiana regions and still continues performing to this day.

I love the sophisticated but raw vibe of this record, and it is very impressive that both sides are credited to LaVell as the sole songwriter; a true pioneer for the power of women in music (right alongside that other Texas legend Barbara Lynn!)

from 1964...

MISS LAVELL - RUN TO YOU

THE DIRTY WURDS - WHY b/w TAKIN' MY BLUES AWAY

This is a record that I never thought I would actually own; both because it's insanely rare (and on the want list of practically every garage/ psych collector) and because I simply don't dig as deep into garage 45 collecting as I do soul and British invasion.

However, this record has been kicking me square in the pants since I first heard it on Pebbles Volume 5 back in the summer of 1992. I had just gotten the first 7 volumes of Pebbles, taped them all and used to drive around blasting them in my 1980 Mustang. Talk about teenage freedom!

This record inspires people to do outrageous things to acquire it; in my case, I saw it come up on ebay and felt that it was "the time". I put a nice old vintage Gibson amp on craigslist to secure the funds, it sold quickly and I was READY. There's another legendary story about a couple of friends of mine that, over breakfast one morning, made a trade- a copy of this record for a 1963 Vespa! Granted, the Vespa needed lots of work but STILL; that's a trade of epic proportions!

Here we are four paragraphs in and I haven't said much about the record. The Dirty Wurds were a teenage band from Chicago (age 16-17) who cut their teeth together playing bluegrass (!) then went in the beat direction. According to the liner notes from Pebbles, they would regularly open for national acts and practically cause riots! Not surprising, as this song is probably the earliest, nastiest nascent punk record.

The b-side is a pretty good bluesy workout too (with an excellent guitar break).
from 1966...

THE DIRTY WURDS - WHY

b/w TAKIN' MY BLUES AWAY

THE SPELLBINDERS - HELP ME (GET MYSELF BACK TOGETHER AGAIN)

While this song wasn't written by Van McCoy, his indelible stamp is present, as he not only arranged but co-produced this record which is yet another brilliant side from his discography.

A New Jersey group, The Spellbinders discography is tiny, but every release is a gem! Yet another group that simply deserved more acclaim.

from 1966...

THE SPELLBINDERS - HELP ME (GET MYSELF BACK TOGETHER AGAIN)

BEVERLY SHAFFER - I SIMPLY LOVE HIM

The talent pool in sixties Chicago was so deep that a singer such as Beverly Shaffer, with a dreamy, heavenly voice, only got two shots to record (both in 1966).

This song is simply gorgeous, with one of those melodies that hums around in my head all day.

from 1966...

BEVERLY SHAFFER - I SIMPLY LOVE HIM

THE IKETTES - CAMEL WALK

Sometimes it's best to just sit back and let the record do the talking. This is one of those cases.

from 1964...

THE IKETTES - CAMEL WALK

WARM EXCURSION - HANG UP

I seem to really dig hearing funky instrumentals on Mondays; something about them seems to ease getting back into the work week.

Not a lot is known about this Los Angeles group (although they did release one more rare, in-demand 45 called "Funk-I-Tus"); I get bowled over by the interplay between drummer and organist on this cut- sheer dynamite!

from 1969...

WARM EXCURSION - HANG UP

RUTH BROWN - ANYONE BUT YOU b/w IT TEARS ME TO PIECES

Incredibly popular throughout the 50's, by 1961 Ruth Brown was a fading star. Trends were changing, and her sound became the sound of a bygone era when culture was changing at an incredibly rapid rate. On this record, we hear the sublime voice of Ruth matched with hot, young producer Phil Spector for what is, in my opinion, her finest record.

The chilling "Anyone But You" is delivered by the voice of someone who has known absolute heartbreak and has lived to tell (read more about Ruth here, on the always excellent Spectropop website, while b-side It Tears Me To Pieces is a cool, slow burner that once again shows this woman was one of the finest singers of any era.

from 1961...

RUTH BROWN - ANYONE BUT YOU