Laurence Jones

Juanita Williams “Baby Boy” (Golden World 18, 1964)

Juanita Williams “Baby Boy” (Golden World 18, 1964) Okay, another one of my favorites, really a crowning jewel in perhaps my favorite sub-genre of Soul Music. Like with Kim’s offering a few days ago, I won’t tell you what position Juanita Williams’s debut single on Golden World occupies, but trust me my eyes light up,…

The Royalettes “When Summer’s Gone” (MGM 13588, 1966)

The Royalettes “When Summer’s Gone” (MGM 13588, 1966) Here we find ourselves at the “end” of Summer in the United States. Technically on the calendar we have about 2 weeks to go before Summer Solstice gives way to the Autumnal Equinox, but as we busy ourselves with year end closings, shouldn’t it be high time…

Kim Weston “Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)” (Gordy 7046, R&B#4, Pop #50, 1965)

Kim Weston “Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)” (Gordy 7046, R&B#4, Pop #50, 1965) DJ Larsupreme has favorite songs, and one that often bats for the #1 slot was introduced to the Public 50 years ago today. You take the magic that is Kim Weston’s voice, able to leap scales like…

Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles “Try To Remember (The Kind Of September)” (From the LP Over The Rainbow, 1966)

Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles “Try To Remember (The Kind Of September)” (From the LP Over The Rainbow, 1966) It should come as no surprise that Atlantic Records believed, not so foolishly, to keep Patti, Nona, Sarah and Cindy in the vein of updating standards and chestnuts with their soaring harmonies and Patti’s powerful leads. This formula…

Dinah Washington “Relax Max” (Mercury 70968, 1956)

Dinah Washington “Relax Max” (Mercury 70968, 1956) She’s the most sited influence among soul singers of the 1960’s. Functioning as the bridge between Jazz, Gospel and the birth of Soul in a way that Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan don’t, I always worship at the altar of Dinah Washington. On her 91st Birthday,…

Valerie & Nick “Lonely Town” (Grover 3000-B, 1964)

Valerie & Nick “Lonely Town” (Grover 3000-B, 1964) A Virgo’s work is never done. Valerie Simpson should know, as we celebrate her 69th Birthday, we also celebrate her 52+ years as one of the premiere Singer/Songwriters of the Post War Era. Though we haven’t started looking at the compositions she did with late husband Nick…

Ray Pollard “The Drifter” (United Artists 916, 1965)

Ray Pollard “The Drifter” (United Artists 916, 1965) Welcome Virgo Season. We keep the Soul Birthday parties going in the harvest season with an R&B Giant you may not know. Ray Pollard would have turned 85 years old this August 25th. Getting his start more than 60 years ago, he was one of the most…

Barbara English “Tell Me Like It Is” (Reprise 349-B, 1965)

Barbara English “Tell Me Like It Is” (Reprise 349-B, 1965) We bring Leo Ladies to a close with perhaps the most obscure that we’ve featured. From influential Girl Group Member, to Brill Building Demo Queen to One-Off Soul LP of the 70’s, Barbara Jean English did a little bit of everything in the realm of…

The Toys “My Love Sonata” (Philips 40456, 1967)

The Toys “My Love Sonata” (Philips 40456, 1967) It’s one more day of double the Leo Lady, as the main lead singer of The Toys, Barbara Harris, celebrates her 70th Birthday this August 18th. Their “A Lover’s Concerto” caught the ears of the pop buying world by storm (and The Supremes off guard, totally recognizing…

Maxine Brown “Seems You’ve Forsaken My Love” (Epic 5-10334, 1968)

Maxine Brown “Seems You’ve Forsaken My Love” (Epic 5-10334, 1968) We’re starting to wind down on the number of Lionesses of Sixties Soul with our Lady Leos. Today we sit down with my absolute favorite under the radiant sign, Maxine Brown. For nearly 60 years, Maxine Brown has blazed an under-appreciated path through soul music…