LaVern Baker “Fly Me To The Moon” (Atlantic 2267, R&B#31 Pop#84, 1965) Among the women whose solid work built Atlantic Records, LaVern Baker gave Atlantic enough crossover appeal before Ray Charles stormed into the Pop Top 40 at the end of the 1950’s. Starting out as Little Miss Sharecropper (a parody of Little Mrs. Cornshucks/Mildred…
Tag: Happy Birthday
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…
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,…
Laura Lee “Wedlock Is A Padlock” (Hot Wax 7007, R&B #37, 1970)
Laura Lee “Wedlock Is A Padlock” (Hot Wax 7007, R&B #37, 1970) Always a women’s rights activist on vinyl in my household, gospel protege turned soul siren Laura Lee celebrates her 70th Birthday today. Starting out with her adopted mother Ernestine Rundless in The Meditation Singers, she always brought a sanguine knowledge to her soulful…
The Supremes “Come And Get These Memories” (From The LP The Supremes A-Go-Go, 1966)
The Supremes “Come And Get These Memories” (From The LP The Supremes A-Go-Go, 1966) The keeper of The Supremes flame, Mary Wilson, agelessly celebrates her 71st Birthday this Friday. Over 56 years of Performing and showing no signs of slowing down, she is pretty much a living icon. Given that icon status, it’s a bit…
Barbara McNair “Here I Am, Baby” (Motown 1106, 1966)
Barbara McNair “Here I Am Baby” (Motown 1106, 1966) This is the absolute best single Motown released for Barbara McNair. I can even say it’s the best record she ever recorded with confidence. Because in a lot of ways it summed up what kind of woman Barbara McNair was: Independent, Powerful, Successful, Pioneering and (though…
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