1. ROOSEVELT GRIER-"In My Tenement" RIC S-112-64 1964
Previously cut by Jackie Shane on Sue in 1963 this is a surprisingly good version cut by the famous football player and activist Rosie Grier. I honestly had no idea Rosie sang. Musically it's actually more upbeat than the original, and Rosie has some pipes!!
Previously cut by Jackie Shane on Sue in 1963 this is a surprisingly good version cut by the famous football player and activist Rosie Grier. I honestly had no idea Rosie sang. Musically it's actually more upbeat than the original, and Rosie has some pipes!!
2. THE PATRICK BRADLEY-"Just One More Chance" Decca 32148 1967
Here's one that's long perplexed me. Originally performed by the British Deram records act The Outer Limits and penned by their lead singer Jeff Christie and released in April 1967 (May 1967 in the US) it was covered in May of '67 by The Patrick Bradley, whom I know nothing about. The B-side is an instrumental version that first came to my attention via the Kent compilation "Brainstormers". The vocal version on the A-side is tepid, but the instrumental/backing track flip is amazing. Faster than the original, it's catchy and almost frantic with an over the top fuzzed out guitar solo. As a result of it's uptempo feel it is near impossible to find, thanks Northern Soulies.
3. LITTLE WALTER-"Blue And Lonesome" Checker 1117 1965
Props to the late great Ian McLagan for hipping me to this track, he told me Little Walter was his favorite blues singer and when pressed for his best track he mentioned this one. It's bleak and driven by this dirge like beat with bluesy licks thrown up against a spooky tremolo guitar effect and is apparently Keith Richard's favorite by Little Walter too!
4. CARL HALL-"You Don't Know Nothing About Love" Loma 2086 1967
This Jerry Ragovoy penned track by Carl Hall smokes. The Stax type horns set the mood for this slow belter of a ballad propelled by Hall's incredible voice. Later made famous by Lorraine Ellison this is the original and nothing in my estimation, touches it.
5. THE VIBRATIONS-"Sloop Dance" O'Keh 4-7205 1964
The Vibrations kick their debut on the O'Keh label into over drive with this re-write of "Hang On Sloopy" (previously cut half a year earlier on Atlantic after a long run on Checker). It's uptempo, catchy, full of lots of hooks, danceable and best of all is the ultimate party record. Raucously good stuff!
6. THE KNIGHT BROTHERS-"Temptation 'Bout To Get Me" Checker 1107 1965
Every now and then you hear a soul ballad that stops you dead in your tracks. I'm not the world's biggest fan of ballads regardless of the genre but this one hit me in one listen. Wow! I heard this for the very first time when the Covid-19 virus first had us on lockdown on Spotify and it floored me. Smooth vocals + somber + spine tingling backing=brilliant!
7. RUDY MOORE-"The Buggy Ride" Federal 45-12259 1956
Props to Eddie Murphy's portrayal on Rudy Ray Moore in his Netflix pic for sending me on a quest to hear Rudy's pre-comedy musical career. "Buggy Ride" is the best of the lot, a totally catchy jump and jive r&b affair. Of interesting note are promo copies with a small bio printed on the label, something I have never seen before!!
https://youtu.be/7t9K2eOPaBY
8. DELLA REESE-"It Was A Very Good Year" ABC 45-10841 1966
Della Reese cut this amazing version of "It Was A Very Good Year" in '66, backed by strong horns and a funky organ you will never hear a version of this track like this! The vocals are powerful and almost bored at times but the hard hitting drums and whirling organ take it to new heights!! Equally worth checking out is her interesting interpretation of Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man" as "The Solitary Woman" on the B-side.
9. TERRY & JERRY-"Mama Julie" US Class 226 1958
Led by flute, Latin percussion and a sophisticated r&b beat this duo's smooth "Mama Julie" is snazzy, jazzy and totally rocking. It was later reissued in the U.K. on Rita and Benny's ska heavy R&B label in 1965.
10. OTIS BLACKWELL-"Daddy Rolling Stones" Jay-Dee 784-45 1953
The original version of the rocking "Daddy Rolling Stone" made famous by Derek Martin and The Who's subsequent cover was first cut in 1953 as "Daddy Rollin' Stone" by Otis Blackwell. It's slower and bluesier than subsequent cover versions but it's slow, laid back approach just adds to the overall cool/suave nature of it all!
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