Sheila Ferguson “Heartbroken Memories” (Swan 4234, 1965) Sheila Ferguson is one of the most heavenly voices of the girl group era. It is to a lot of surprises that she didn’t find her greatest success as a soloist or for the majority of the Classic Girl Group era, but in the 1970’s. However, she had…
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
In An Alternate Universe: Potential Hit Singles From Hitsville U.S.A. from 1965 (Ladies Edition)
If you know your Motown as I know The Sound Of Young America, You’ll know, beyond the bevy of hit records, at the peak of the label the studios cranked out potential hits 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some records have release dates on Holidays: The Supremes “My World Is Empty Without You” and…
Sissie Houston “World Of Broken Hearts” (Congress 268-B, 1966)
Sissie Houston “World Of Broken Hearts” (Congress 268-B, 1966) If there’s ever someone that’s been more “20 Feet From Stardom” than Darlene Love, It has to be Cissy Houston. Mother to Whitney Houston, Aunt to Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, this Matriarch of Soul celebrates her 82nd Birthday this September 30th. She’s been performing in…
Rufus Thomas “Sophisticated Sissy” (Stax 221, R&B#43, 1967)
Rufus Thomas “Sophisticated Sissy” (Stax 221, R&B#43, 1967) It seems appropriate for Folsom Street Sunday to revisit this Rufus Thomas R&B hit. We go back and look back at a Mid Sixties dance trend inspired by the exuberant celebration of sexuality on the dance floor brought by the sway of the hips of less than…
Dee Dee Warwick “We’ve Got Everything Going For Us” (Mercury 72738-B, 1967)
Dee Dee Warwick “We’ve Got Everything Going For Us” (Mercury 72738-B, 1967) Let’s just say me and “Lil Sis” have connections. A year ago today, a little after 10:30 pm, DJ Brown Amy (also of Queen Crescent) sent me a Facebook Message asking if I wanted to DJ a 45 minute set at Hard French….
Irene Reid “My Heart Said (Bossa Nova) (Verve 10286, 1963)
Irene Reid “My Heart Said (Bossa Nova) (Verve 10286, 1963) Back to Back Birthday celebrations of genre blurring babes happens this week as we move from Solstice to Equinox. Next up we have the delightful Irene Reid. Equally hitless and loved on stage as Marlena Shaw, she would have celebrated her 85th Birthday this September…
Marlena Shaw “Looking Thru The Eyes Of Love” (Cadet 5618, 1968)
Marlena Shaw “Looking Thru The Eyes Of Love” (Cadet 5618, 1968) You know her for extolling all of the virtues of the Soulfulness of California in so many commercials (now for Ram Trucks), but Marlena Shaw was so much more than that. This evening, we pour a strong cocktail and celebrate Shaw’s 73rd Birthday through…
Judy Clay “My Arms Aren’t Strong Enough” (Scepter 1273, 1964)
Judy Clay “My Arms Aren’t Strong Enough” (Scepter 1273, 1964) There’s such a strong legacy of women that came out of the “Drinkard Dynasty.” Not only do/should we know Dionne Warwick, her sister Dee Dee, her aunt Cissy and her little cousin Whitney. We should also know of many other supporting or shining stars that…
Classic Soul Moment: Diana Ross and Ethel Waters on “The Hollywood Palace” (March 8, 1969)
Classic Soul Moment: Diana Ross and Ethel Waters on “The Hollywood Palace” (March 8, 1969) These are the moments that I’m thankful for the internet. Also thankful for the fact that we have such rich history at our fingertips. There’s a heavy bittersweet beauty of watching “Sweet Mama String Bean” and “Miss Ross” radiate such…
Dee Dee Sharp “I Really Love You” (Cameo 375, R&B#37, Pop#78, 1965)
Dee Dee Sharp “I Really Love You” (Cameo 375, R&B#37, Pop#78, 1965) Like Little Eva, the talents of Dione La Rue, better known as Dee Dee Sharp, got chained to a parade of zippy dance records. Although her run of success ended up being greater in terms of hit records in comparison to Little Eva,…
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