Lesley Gore “Look The Other Way”(Mercury 72867-B, 1968) There’s a hole in our collective hearts where America’s Sweetheart meets Queer Icon Lesley Gore doesn’t exist anymore. Since she passed away last year, not much has been done to cover the scope of her art or activism. It’s to be remembered that within 9 months time,…
Author: Laurence Jones
Time Capsule or actual human being, who knows. Laurence Jones has been sifting through ephemera of the past seemingly forever, spinning vinyl for you, taking film photography and entertaining you with instagram posts of the decrepit old cars they own. You can find previous writing by them at djlarsupreme.com and medium.com
Taurus Talent at its finest: The Too Short Times of Tammi Terrell
I think of Tammi Terrell’s short 24 years on this planet, nearly 34 years old, and think I’m really wasting time. It didn’t exactly take that much time for her to establish herself as a legend. I don’t know whether her early death elicits moments of sadness, because she fought up until she went into…
Beltane Blues and Taurus Tunes – Melodies For Your Mid~Spring Dreams
The later part of Spring starts to thaw and sparkle and sing. Seeds go in the ground. Taurus Season settles and abounds. It’s more than time enough for yet another mix of music courtesy of your favorite DJ ain’t it? This time there’s nothing particular agenda other than everything being easy, breezy and beautiful, like…
I’ll Try Anything: The Master Vocal-Cultural Intersection Class as Taught by Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield, older I get, is someone that I love more, although she causes some grand complications being a fan of hers. She’s *that* Blue-eyed soul singer that reigns over all others. She’s *that* early queer icon that at least publicly identified as Bisexual far ahead of anyone else. She’s that British Invasion artist wholly…
The Magic of Marvin: Sovereign Soul and Sweetness, The Crown’d Prince of Motown
If you don’t have a special connection to Marvin Gaye, immediately I question your humanity. Chances are I’ll never like you. He left this earthly plane with a gunshot shortly before I turned 2 years old 32 years ago today, right before he turned 45. In just over 25 years, he evolved from being one…
Sarah Vaughan “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most” (From the LP Snowbound, 1963)
Sarah Vaughan “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most” (From the LP Snowbound, 1963) *Happy Birthday Sarah Vaughan* The Divine, Sassy, Sailor was born 92 years ago today. Through a career that spanned every acre of popular music, Sarah Vaughan is yet another timeless voice that shaped the concept of Popular music for ages. From Jazz…
The Supremes “Too Hurt To Cry, Too Much In Love To Say Goodbye” (1965, Unreleased. From Never-Released-Before Masters, 1987)
The Supremes “Too Hurt To Cry, Too Much In Love To Say Goodbye” (1965, Unreleased. From Never-Released-Before Masters, 1987) I’m like a number of people. When we look back on Diana Ross’s success as a performer for the past 57 years, I’m prone to put the metric of that squarely on her charisma and unstoppable…
Aretha Franklin “Runnin’ Out Of Fools” (Columbia 4-43113, R&B#30, Pop#57, 1964)
Aretha Franklin “Runnin’ Out Of Fools” (Columbia 4-43113, R&B#30, Pop#57, 1964) I’ve always prized Aretha’s Columbia output moreso than her Atlantic output. I think a compilation that was released some 13-14 years ago really stated it accurately: Queen in Waiting. Beloved by Dinah Washington herself, Queen of the Blues, it should be by no surprise…
Just Like The Ditty From The Motor City: Motown Femme Soul Soundalikes 1963-1969
Another way to measure the scope of influence accountable to the music produced by Motown Records in the 1960’s is to pay attention to how often its various forms were imitated. Motown itself feed on itself, developing so many styles to craft different personae for different artists. Realistically, there’s no singular “Motown Sound.” Decidedly diverse…
The Orlons “Envy (In My Eyes)” Cameo 346-B (later issued as Cameo 384-B), 1965.
The Orlons “Envy (In My Eyes)” Cameo 346-B (later issued as Cameo 384-B), 1965. The Orlons career, like a number of Cameo-Parkway stars, had a huge impact in a rather short period of time. Also, like all Cameo-Parkway stars, they found themselves in the trap of dance-hall hits being the key to their initial success. Although “Don’t…
DJ Larsupreme 