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…
Tag: Chicago Soul
Jackie Ross “You Really Know How To Hurt A Girl” (Chess 1929, 1965)
Jackie Ross “You Really Know How To Hurt A Girl” (Chess 1929, 1965) Jackie Ross is in some weird way, is a tangent in the Mary Wells story. Her big debut record for Chess Records, “Selfish One” sounded more like a sequel to “My Guy” than Wells did herself at 20th Century Fox in the…
Deneice Chandler “Mama, I Wish I Stayed At Home” (Lock 600, 1968)
Deneice Chandler “Mama, I Wish I Stayed At Home” (Lock 600, 1968) Part two of our Gemini Roll Call Chicago trip brings us to the 65th Birthday of Niecey. Born today as June Deniece Chandler in Gary, Indiana; post dropping out of Nursing school found the 18 year old working as a Chicago Hospital Clerk…
The Impressions “I’m The One Who Loves You” (ABC Paramount 10386, Pop #73, 1963)
The Impressions “I’m The One Who Loves You” (ABC Paramount 10386, Pop #73, 1963) At the center of Gemini Roll Call, I’m hitting up Chicago twice today. Two soul legends that appropriately sprang forth from the Windy City are Geminis that we get to celebrate today! First up is the poet laureate of 1960’s Soul,…
Little Miss Cornshucks “So Long (1961 Version)” (From the LP The Loneliest Girl In Town, 1961)
Little Miss Cornshucks “So Long (1961 Version)” (From the LP The Loneliest Girl In Town, 1961) Gemini Roll Call heralds today one of the most forgotten influences in the transition years from Blues to Soul that happened between the 1940s and the 1960s. Born 92 years ago today, the persona Mildred Cummings crafted as Little Miss…
Lorraine Ellison “Don’t Let It Go To Your Head” (Mercury 72472-B, 1965)
Lorraine Ellison “Don’t Let It Go To Your Head” (Mercury 72472-B, 1965) One of the more forgotten, if not prolific voices from the sweeter side of soul is Lorraine Ellison. Starting in Gospel as many do, she moved to R&B in 1964, and was picked up by Mercury. As a singer-songwriter, although she had some…
Mitty Collier “Got To Get Away From It All” (Chess 2050, 1968)
Mitty Collier “Got To Get Away From It All” (Chess 2050, 1968) One of the points of me even writing about soul music is to expand the narrative beyond what is already known and cherished. Today’s post is brought to you by the weird fetish around Nina Simone, which tends to be something of the…
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…
The Gems “I Can’t Help Myself” (Chess 1908, 1964)
The Gems “I Can’t Help Myself” (Chess 1908, 1964) I mentioned yesterday that there was a plethora of girl groups that served behind your favorite regional hits of the 1960s. 20 Feet From Stardom went a long way to ignore those who worked in a primarily African American milieu, however. What you might have…
DJ Larsupreme 