Carla Thomas “Don’t Let The Lovelight Leave” (Atlantic 2258-B, 1964)

Carla Thomas “Don’t Let The Lovelight Leave” (Atlantic 2258-B, 1964) We end our SagittariYES spellbinding with one of the most royal of soulful centaurs. It’s Carla Thomas’s Birthday this longest day of the year, and our Full Moon born soul legend turns 73 today. Daughter of Memphis Soul Royalty Rufus Thomas, Carla spent a healthy…

Kim Weston “A Little More Love” (Tamla 54106, 1964)

Kim Weston “A Little More Love” (Tamla 54106, 1964) It’s rare that I say I have a favorite anything. Fickle Gemini and all. But I do, about 75% of the time say I do have a favorite singer, and that’s none other than Kim Weston. Born 76 years ago today as Agatha Nathalia Weston in…

Anna King “The Big Change” (Ludix 103, 1963)

Anna King “The Big Change” (Ludix 103, 1963) Sometimes all it takes is one LP and a connection to a Soul Legend to solidify your place in R&B History. However, Anna King was much more than her year + affiliation with James Brown and his review. Today we celebrate what would have been the Philly…

Ike and Tina Turner “(Somewhere) Somebody Needs You” (Loma 2015, 1965)

Ike and Tina Turner “(Somewhere) Somebody Needs You” (Loma 2015, 1965) We’re also thankful that the Siren Survivor born Anna Mae Bullock 76 years ago today is still with us as a Swiss Citizen. Tina Turner has been marveling audiences for nearly 60 years, through plenty of tragedy and triumph, she’s one of our favorite…

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…

Jeanette “Baby” Washington “Medicine Man” (Neptune 120, 1960)

Jeanette “Baby” Washington “Medicine Man” (Neptune 120, 1960) It doesn’t seem to be too spooky of a Friday the 13th, but in the depths of Scorpio Season, we do have a birthday wish to give to an unheralded soul legend. Born 75 years ago as Justine Washington, for 60 years, Baby Washington has been delighting…

Ruby And The Romantics “Think” (Kapp 773, 1966)

Ruby And The Romantics “Think” (Kapp 773, 1966) In terms of 1960’s R&B, there’s fewer voices more pure than Ruby Nash Garnett. The Chart Topping voice of fortune telling circa 1963 celebrates her 76th Birthday this November 12th. Sadly, as the last surviving member of her group, she carries on the flame alone these days….

LaVern Baker “Fly Me To The Moon” (Atlantic 2267, R&B#31 Pop#84, 1965)

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…