Laurence Jones

Nancy Wilson “Don’t Talk, Just Sing” (From the LP “The Nancy Wilson Show!” 1965)

Nancy Wilson “Don’t Talk, Just Sing” (From the LP “The Nancy Wilson Show!” 1965) I have to say the parade of performers I grew up with was remarkably prominent. A number of them I learned about from Delco Tape Decks (8 track! or Cassette) on road trips with relatives. When calm was called for, the Fancy…

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles “Can You Love A Poor Boy?” (From the LP Away We Go-Go, 1966)

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles “Can You Love A Poor Boy?” (From the LP Away We Go-Go, 1966) There’s no other way to address Smokey Robinson other than as the first gem in the Motown Crown. The Pisces Poet and Prophet of the Motown sound turns a rather youthful 76 years old today. In 60+…

Irma Thomas “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand) (Imperial 66041, Pop #52, 1964)

Irma Thomas “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand) (Imperial 66041, Pop #52, 1964) There’s no mystery, yet still a mystery in Irma Thomas’s voice. The Soul Queen of New Orleans has been delighting audiences for 57 years, and today we applaud the fact that this soul survivor still sells out and serenades us…

Black Magic: Girl Group Solidarity, Queer Love and Black Lives Remembered – A Mixtape

I’ve said quite often, for little Black Queer Boys 20 something years ago like myself, Girl Group Songs saved a life quite often. Well, mine. I should really speak for myself. In the weird role play between gender expression and having even in the 1990’s so few cultural placeholders to identify with, I grasped full-hearted…

Barbara Lewis “I’ll Make Him Love Me” (Atlantic 2400, Pop #72, 1967)

Barbara Lewis “I’ll Make Him Love Me” (Atlantic 2400, Pop #72, 1967) Her otherworldly sweet singing and songwriting brought her one of the most legendary R&B classics from 1963. We celebrate the seductive powers of one Barbara Lewis, who still sweetens things up as she strolls into her 73rd Birthday this Tuesday Evening. Although a…

Marva Josie “Birthday Fella” (United Artists 786, 1964)

Marva Josie “Birthday Fella” (United Artists 786, 1964) It strikes me that a year ago, and about 5 months into spinning Vinyl, first at Hard French, then at Sugar Town, I decided, in these days to give myself a legit web presence. It’s the first birthday of the DJ Larsupreme website page and the DJ…

Love Covered: Cover Songs For Your Heart

It’s that season in retailers and in our consciousness. February culminates mid month with festivities of Pop Culture telling us the importance of love. Well, the importance of love and affection through consumption. One of the less treacly manifestations of this cultural crockpot is a soup of love songs, dontcha think? I’ve always had an…

Jackie Ross “Be Sure You Know” (From the LP Full Bloom, 1964)

Jackie Ross “Be Sure You Know” (From the LP Full Bloom, 1964) Chicago gives us a bulk of our early Aquarians. Also, Jackie Ross got her big jump towards stardom with the boost of Sam Cook and his SAR label. Although she’s best known for her Fall of ’64 triumph “Selfish One,” she’s one of…

Bettye LaVette “Let Me Down Easy” (Calla 102, R&B#20, 1965)

Bettye LaVette “Let Me Down Easy” (Calla 102, R&B#20, 1965) Like one of her singles, for the majority of her career, Bettye LaVette had a series of “almosts.” Today she’s regarded as one of the finest soul survivors, seeing her career finally take orbit and gain respect at the turn of the Century. Today we…

Bobby Bland “Poverty” (Duke 407, R&B#9, Pop #65, 1966)

Bobby Bland “Poverty” (Duke 407, R&B#9, Pop #65, 1966) I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise that some of the most prominent voices I grew up hearing on roadtrips have birthdays right new to each other. As music informed family stories told to me as a child, hours smothered in pillow top velour seats, voices…