Betty Everett “Take Me” (Uni 55100-B, 1968) Although she didn’t have more than a handful of huge hits, Betty Everett spent most of her adult life serving up Soul to listeners. We celebrate what would have been her 76th Birthday today with some of her oft-overlooked output from Uni Records. It had been nearly 5…
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
Jimmy Scott “If I Ever Lost You” (From the LP “The Fabulous Songs of Jimmy Scott,” 1960)
Jimmy Scott “If I Ever Lost You” (From the LP “The Fabulous Songs of Jimmy Scott,” 1960) He never garnered the consistent crossover success that his peers did in those transition years between Jazz and Blues birthing soul. Nevertheless, Jimmy Scott’s passionate and peculiar vocal stylings decidedly had an influence on the way male vocalists…
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas “Bless You” (Gordy 7110, R&B#29, Pop#53, 1971)
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas “Bless You” (Gordy 7110, R&B#29, Pop#53, 1971) It’s been a remarkably dark past 72 hours if you’ve opened your eyes to anything going on in the world. Not only Paris, but Beirut, Baghdad, bitterness and yet another unjustified Black Death that makes one question whether Black Lives Matter or not….
Jeanette “Baby” Washington “Medicine Man” (Neptune 120, 1960)
Jeanette “Baby” Washington “Medicine Man” (Neptune 120, 1960) It doesn’t seem to be too spooky of a Friday the 13th, but in the depths of Scorpio Season, we do have a birthday wish to give to an unheralded soul legend. Born 75 years ago as Justine Washington, for 60 years, Baby Washington has been delighting…
Ruby And The Romantics “Think” (Kapp 773, 1966)
Ruby And The Romantics “Think” (Kapp 773, 1966) In terms of 1960’s R&B, there’s fewer voices more pure than Ruby Nash Garnett. The Chart Topping voice of fortune telling circa 1963 celebrates her 76th Birthday this November 12th. Sadly, as the last surviving member of her group, she carries on the flame alone these days….
LaVern Baker “Fly Me To The Moon” (Atlantic 2267, R&B#31 Pop#84, 1965)
LaVern Baker “Fly Me To The Moon” (Atlantic 2267, R&B#31 Pop#84, 1965) Among the women whose solid work built Atlantic Records, LaVern Baker gave Atlantic enough crossover appeal before Ray Charles stormed into the Pop Top 40 at the end of the 1950’s. Starting out as Little Miss Sharecropper (a parody of Little Mrs. Cornshucks/Mildred…
Pat Lundy “It’s Raining Outside” (Leopard 5009, 1963)
Pat Lundy “It’s Raining Outside” (Leopard 5009, 1963) We here in the drought stricken San Francisco Bay Area get far too excited at the sight of rain these days. Our Facebook/Twitter feeds erupt in rain dances with Youtube links and shares of songs that hopefully will keep the sky watering us for more and more…
Minnie Riperton “Only When I’m Dreaming” (From the LP “Come Into My Garden,” 1970)
Minnie Riperton “Only When I’m Dreaming” (From the LP “Come Into My Garden,” 1970) Beneath that #1 hit from 1975, and her tragic death in 1979, Minnie Riperton is who I’d love to call The Prodigy of Soul. Studying Opera from childhood, and possessing a four octave range with a searing whistle register, it was almost…
Barbara Lewis “Come Home” (Atlantic 2255-B, 1964)
Barbara Lewis “Come Home” (Atlantic 2255-B, 1964) It took a while for Barbara Lewis to move away from her steady perch of organ driven cuddly early 60’s R&B. Like any a number of her peer Soul Chanteuses, she had a streak of fondness for soft Jazz-Pop ladies of a generation before her. Those women last named…
Schedule Of Events – Fall 2015
It’s rapidly approaching the end of the year. Can you believe 2015 is on the way out? As the year entered I was celebrating turns at some of my favorite happenings and venues, and ending this year shall be no different. I’ll first see you on the dance floor as one of the Juggalicious Dance…
DJ Larsupreme 