Aretha Franklin “Runnin’ Out Of Fools” (Columbia 4-43113, R&B#30, Pop#57, 1964) I’ve always prized Aretha’s Columbia output moreso than her Atlantic output. I think a compilation that was released some 13-14 years ago really stated it accurately: Queen in Waiting. Beloved by Dinah Washington herself, Queen of the Blues, it should be by no surprise…
Tag: Soulful Birthday
Erma Franklin “Don’t Wait Too Long” (Epic 9559-B, 1963)
Erma Franklin “Don’t Wait Too Long” (Epic 9559-B, 1963) *Happy Birthday Erma Franklin* The oft overlooked older sister of The Queen of Soul would have celebrated Birthday 78 this March 13th. Although scoped out for secular music ahead of her sisters, Erma was actually a year behind Aretha for signing with a record label. She…
Laura Lee “If You Can Beat Me Rockin’ (You Can Have My Chair)” (Hot Wax 7027, R&B #31 Pop#65, 1972)
Laura Lee “If You Can Beat Me Rockin’ (You Can Have My Chair)” (Hot Wax 7027, R&B #31 Pop#65, 1972) As we come off the waves of International Women’s Day and plunge further into Women’s History Month, we find yet another powerful Pisces woman of soul celebrating their birthday. We wish Laura Lee a fulfilling…
Barbara McNair “Forget You Ever Met Me, Baby” (From the LP The Real Barbara McNair, 1969)
Barbara McNair “Forget You Ever Met Me, Baby” (From the LP The Real Barbara McNair, 1969) It’s not like Barbara McNair needed her tenure at Motown from 1965 through 1969. Nevertheless, some of her finest output came from her brief stints in Studio A on West Grand Boulevard in Detroit between her nightclub appearances, Film…
Nancy Wilson “Don’t Talk, Just Sing” (From the LP “The Nancy Wilson Show!” 1965)
Nancy Wilson “Don’t Talk, Just Sing” (From the LP “The Nancy Wilson Show!” 1965) I have to say the parade of performers I grew up with was remarkably prominent. A number of them I learned about from Delco Tape Decks (8 track! or Cassette) on road trips with relatives. When calm was called for, the Fancy…
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles “Can You Love A Poor Boy?” (From the LP Away We Go-Go, 1966)
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles “Can You Love A Poor Boy?” (From the LP Away We Go-Go, 1966) There’s no other way to address Smokey Robinson other than as the first gem in the Motown Crown. The Pisces Poet and Prophet of the Motown sound turns a rather youthful 76 years old today. In 60+…
Irma Thomas “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand) (Imperial 66041, Pop #52, 1964)
Irma Thomas “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand) (Imperial 66041, Pop #52, 1964) There’s no mystery, yet still a mystery in Irma Thomas’s voice. The Soul Queen of New Orleans has been delighting audiences for 57 years, and today we applaud the fact that this soul survivor still sells out and serenades us…
Barbara Lewis “I’ll Make Him Love Me” (Atlantic 2400, Pop #72, 1967)
Barbara Lewis “I’ll Make Him Love Me” (Atlantic 2400, Pop #72, 1967) Her otherworldly sweet singing and songwriting brought her one of the most legendary R&B classics from 1963. We celebrate the seductive powers of one Barbara Lewis, who still sweetens things up as she strolls into her 73rd Birthday this Tuesday Evening. Although a…
Jackie Ross “Be Sure You Know” (From the LP Full Bloom, 1964)
Jackie Ross “Be Sure You Know” (From the LP Full Bloom, 1964) Chicago gives us a bulk of our early Aquarians. Also, Jackie Ross got her big jump towards stardom with the boost of Sam Cook and his SAR label. Although she’s best known for her Fall of ’64 triumph “Selfish One,” she’s one of…
Bettye LaVette “Let Me Down Easy” (Calla 102, R&B#20, 1965)
Bettye LaVette “Let Me Down Easy” (Calla 102, R&B#20, 1965) Like one of her singles, for the majority of her career, Bettye LaVette had a series of “almosts.” Today she’s regarded as one of the finest soul survivors, seeing her career finally take orbit and gain respect at the turn of the Century. Today we…
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