Lesley Gore “Look The Other Way”(Mercury 72867-B, 1968) There’s a hole in our collective hearts where America’s Sweetheart meets Queer Icon Lesley Gore doesn’t exist anymore. Since she passed away last year, not much has been done to cover the scope of her art or activism. It’s to be remembered that within 9 months time,…
Tag: Mercury Records
Sarah Vaughan “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most” (From the LP Snowbound, 1963)
Sarah Vaughan “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most” (From the LP Snowbound, 1963) *Happy Birthday Sarah Vaughan* The Divine, Sassy, Sailor was born 92 years ago today. Through a career that spanned every acre of popular music, Sarah Vaughan is yet another timeless voice that shaped the concept of Popular music for ages. From Jazz…
Dee Dee Warwick “Don’t Pay Them No Mind” (From the LP Foolish Fool, 1969)
Dee Dee Warwick “Don’t Pay Them No Mind” (From the LP Foolish Fool, 1969) It stands, the last day of 2015. Personally and collectively its one for the history books. If anyone tells you that this year hasn’t profoundly shaken them in any way, either they’re a profoundly privileged asshole or they’re straight up lying…
Jerry Butler “Some Kinda Magic” (Mercury 72648-B, 1966)
Jerry Butler “Some Kinda Magic” (Mercury 72648-B, 1966) There’s two soul legends that would get me to throw my drawls at the stage. One is Chuck Jackson, and the other is #SagittariYes providing Chicago-bred crooner Jerry Butler. Butler celebrates his 76th Birthday today alongside nearly 60 years of recording, and also, quite a few years…
Dee Dee Warwick “We’ve Got Everything Going For Us” (Mercury 72738-B, 1967)
Dee Dee Warwick “We’ve Got Everything Going For Us” (Mercury 72738-B, 1967) Let’s just say me and “Lil Sis” have connections. A year ago today, a little after 10:30 pm, DJ Brown Amy (also of Queen Crescent) sent me a Facebook Message asking if I wanted to DJ a 45 minute set at Hard French….
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,…
Timi Yuro “Get Out Of My Life” (Mercury 72431, 1965)
Timi Yuro “Get Out Of My Life” (Mercury 72431, 1965) One of the fiercest blue eyed soul singers would be of course a Lady Leo. The pint sized powerhouse born Rosemary Timothea Yuro 75 years ago today blurred many an expectation of what it meant to be a female pop singer in the early 1960’s….
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…
Lesley Gore “Happiness Is Just Around The Corner” (1966, Unreleased. From Lesley Gore – The Mercury Anthology, 1995)
Lesley Gore “Happiness Is Just Around The Corner” (1966, Unreleased. From Lesley Gore – The Mercury Anthology, 1995) It’s been one of the more devastating deaths this year when it comes to Queer Icons, but the sparkle and light of Lesley Gore still shines on. Starting with her understandable petulant #1 debut and continuing for…
