Kim Weston “Fancy Meeting You Here” (1966, Unreleased. From The Motown Anthology, 2005) The complications of the Motown release and promotional schedule putting The Supremes first, and just about everyone else second-to-never really did a disservice in getting audiences some rather wonderful performances by a host of Motown artists. The most wonky in stories would…
Author: Laurence Jones
Chuck Jackson & Maxine Brown “Let’s Go Get Stoned” (From the LP Hold On, We’re Comin’, 1967)
Chuck Jackson & Maxine Brown “Let’s Go Get Stoned” (From the LP Hold On, We’re Comin’, 1967) I guess sometimes it’s a bit too easy to come up with posts of the day. There’s a certain “holiday” of sorts being celebrated by a number of folks today, so I thought of some particular “relaxation” classics and…
Della Reese “Ninety Nine and a Half Won’t Do” (RCA 47-7996, 1962)
Della Reese “Ninety Nine and a Half Won’t Do” (RCA 47-7996, 1962) Della Reese didn’t need Roma Downey to get in touch with the angels. Cutting her teeth in Gospel before she crossed over to pop and jazz, she quite often found herself having to get her sanctified on in song. This wonderful take on…
Events Page April – June 2015
More happenings as the daylight hours get longer! Spring to action with me! First up, next Tuesday (4/21), is Girl Groups Night with DJ Paul Costuros and Amy Azzolina at Valencia Street mainstay The Elbo Room. The fun starts at 9:30 pm and goes from there. Yes, I know it’s a Tuesday but come on,…
Dusty Springfield “I Can’t Wait Until I See My Baby’s Face” (From the LP Where Am I Going? 1967)
Dusty Springfield “I Can’t Wait Until I See My Baby’s Face” (From the LP Where Am I Going? 1967) I wouldn’t be the well rounded nearly 33 year old Queerling without the monumental vinyl coaching on life, love, regret and happiness that one Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O’Brien gave me starting in my Pre-Teen years….
The Temptations “You’re The One I Need” (From The LP The Temptin’ Temptations, 1965)
The Temptations “You’re The One I Need” (From The LP The Temptin’ Temptations, 1965) 50 years on, it can’t be under-estimated the vast impact that the glut of Motown acts flooding the nations airwaves and television screens made in 1965. Representing a new, suave and sophisticated Black Masculinity were Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops and…
Walter Jackson “Suddenly, I’m All Alone” (Okeh 7215, R&B #13, Pop #96, 1965)
Walter Jackson “Suddenly, I’m All Alone” (Okeh 7215, R&B #13, Pop #96, 1965) Although Berry Gordy has reservations about launching him as the solo spotlight singer on crutches, the innate power and nuance of Walter Jackson’s vocal stylings. Although not very well known outside of soul circles, his run of singles for Okeh Records in…
Carmen McRae “I’m Always Drunk In San Francisco” (Atlantic 2485-B, 1968)
Carmen McRae “I’m Always Drunk In San Francisco” (Atlantic 2485-B, 1968) Always glamorous with a slightly gutsy glide to her voice, Carmen McRae blurred the lines of what it meant to be a Jazz vocalist in a very Queer way. Today would have been her 95th Birthday, but she left behind a rather epic catalog…
A Spring Fling Easy and Breezy Playlist Courtesy of Forever Hamilton
Being a music geek means you make everlasting friendships based on joint music appreciation. One of the greatest sonic soul bounds that I have is with John Hamilton, who has been a tune tale teller for Chart Rigger and Instinct Magazine. If there’s anyone that gets the emotion behind the soul/pop hunt, he, alongside with DJ Action Slacks (Shannon…
Marvin Gaye “For The Both Of Us I’ll Be Concerned” (1971, Unreleased. From Love Starved Heart: Rare And Unreleased, 1994)
Marvin Gaye “For The Both Of Us I’ll Be Concerned” (1971, Unreleased. From Love Starved Heart: Rare And Unreleased, 1994) It’s perhaps the more bittersweet soulful moments of Spring. Perhaps the most everlastingly cruel April Fools Joke. A Day before his 45th Birthday, the complex relationship between Marvin Gaye Jr. and Sr. was cemented forever…