Although my recent vacation took me through Baltimore and New York City, the sounds of Chicago’s soul music has been on my mind for a few weeks now. I’m a big fan of how once our R&B music was so regional, influenced by the cultures established in cities plus the migrant populations that made each…
Tag: Chicago Soul
Mamie Galore “Special Agent (34-24-38)” (St. Lawrence 1004, 1965)
Mamie Galore “Special Agent (34-24-38)” (St. Lawrence 1004, 1965) If any soul singer won the stage name sweepstakes, the once Mamie Louise Davis renaming herself Mamie Galore sure wins. Not only did Mamie pick a name to be reckoned with, she made her recording debut in 1965 with the most action hero of singles. Why…
Patti Drew “Mirror, Mirror” (Quill 107-B, 1966)
Patti Drew “Mirror, Mirror” (Quill 107-B, 1966) On the penultimate day of the year, we continue to intention set. Maybe a bewitching spell to cast? Had I been more on top of things this week, I’d be on the birthday game a bit better. Yesterday, the 29th, was the 71st Birthday of Chicago Cult Soul…
The Demures “He’s Got Your Number” (Brunswick 55284-B, 1965)
The Demures “He’s Got Your Number” (Brunswick 55284-B, 1965) Of course, now that I’ve done that “Bye Bye ’65” Girl Sounds of ’65 Mix, I’m kicking my ass about all of the other songs I should have included. I really should have given myself permission to do a Top 50. I wouldn’t have left off…
Major Lance “Delilah” (Okeh 7168, 1962)
Major Lance “Delilah” (Okeh 7168, 1962) It’s a short 3 or so days before I’m back at Sugar Town. This time, not only am I bringing a few boxes of 45s, I’m debating if I should bring an LP or two. Seems that I’ve gotten some of my favorite rarities in cheaper form via LP,…
The Meditation Singers “Stand Up And Be Counted” (Checker 5046, 1968)
The Meditation Singers “Stand Up And Be Counted” (Checker 5046, 1968) It’s a year after Darren Wilson was absolved of all charges in his murder of Michael Brown. It’s been a year filled with numerous murders of people on our own soil. The level of rage a conscious individual has to sustain these days isn’t…
Betty Everett “Take Me” (Uni 55100-B, 1968)
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…
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…
Jo Ann Garrett “One Woman” (Duo 7450, 1968)
Jo Ann Garrett “One Woman” (Duo 7450, 1968) We’re halfway through Record A Day week, so let’s fly to Chicago in the late Fall of ’68. We meet at O’Hare and ride the El with Jo Ann Garrett, who now 19 years old, is a seasoned veteran of the Chicago recording scene. Although she hasn’t scored a…
Billy Stewart “Strange Feeling” (Chess 1868, R&B #25, Pop #70, 1963)
Billy Stewart “Strange Feeling” (Chess 1868, R&B #25, Pop #70, 1963) As the veil gets thinner between Libra and Scorpio, the days draw down more rapidly and the night expands, things get a little strange indeed. So it seems the perfect time to track down some more magical, mystical soul songs to feature these next…
DJ Larsupreme 