ain't no way

I have tears coming out of my eyes right now.

barbara george - i know

I really love New Orleans soul and I really LOVE ladies from New Orleans singing soul. Check out Barbara George. She's rocking a cross necklace and some bling bling on her ring fing. This lady WROTE and sang her hit in 1961, "I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)," which was covered by many people later. All of these are slightly different than Barb's version, but all super tight. Also, CHER.

Gloria Jones cover

Cher cover

Yvonne Fair cover

wendy rene tuesday

Get down to some Wendy Rene.

Wendy was a singer working on the Stax label. Interesting: Wendy was scheduled to fly with Otis Redding on his tragic plane ride, but backed out at the last minute.







"After Laugter" is especially deep.

ruby andrews - you made a believer (out of me)

This song will always remind me of Rio Rita, 45 night, and my friend Carla.

tight people of the day: the velvelettes

Now y'all know how much I love the ladies of Motown. SO MUCH. These ladies can really kill it, but I feel they are somewhat unknown. The Velvelettes (tight name) were hanging around Motown in the sixties along with my sisters Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and the Supremes. At times, they have been a quartet, a quintet, and a trio. Problem was, they never seemed to match the success of their labelmates.

In 1964, the group recorded "Needle in a Haystack." It became a chart success, and brought attention to the group at last. Sadly, most of the ladies wanted to do their thangs with families and babies and hubbies, so the group broke up. They never even put out an album until 1984! How crazy! Some of the original members are back together and tour to this day. If they come through your town, hit it up because I bet it would be boot scootin'.

The Velvelettes - Needle in a Haystack

happy valentine's day 2k10!

A new year, a new chance to be miserable on Valentine's Day. Kidding! Today is just another day but if you have a sweetie pie make sure you load tons of mediocre chocolate and giant balloons on him/her. FOR ME. I would settle for eating those pancakes.

I hope everyone has a great day and I'm going to leave you to your fancy dinner eating and cuddle time with this great song performed by the always lovely Dusty Springfield. Dusty was a little ol' British girl who wanted to sing soul! She knew she had the voice for it, so she made an album in America to show her cred. It paid off, because guess what? That's the album featuring "Son of a Preacher Man." Everyone knows the words to that one! Also, she has great hair.

Dusty was essential in the "white soul" movement, as they say. She was often the only white person on all black soul bills in the sixties. Her voice is distinctive and absolutely soulful and I really like listening to some of Dusty's stuff. Enjoy some Dusty today, on this day of love, and just remember that your love has lifted me higher, blog friends. Love u. xx

Dusty Springfield - (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher

tight person of the day: betty harris

When it comes to soul music, there is an unspoken rule. If your name is Betty, then you are primed to be the tightest person around. I mean, really! Betty Harris is a goddess. She looks eight feet tall and ready to dominate in that photo. Luv her.

I first learned of Betty through her cover of Solomon Burke's hit "Cry to Me." Dirty Dancing, anyone? She slowed it wayyyy down and it made things get real sexy. Which is hard to do, considering Solomon's was also sexing things up.

Here's the Solomon song:



And Betty's version:



So, you can see (or hear) that Betty is an amazing vocal talent. In the sixties, Betty was being produced by Allen Toussaint. She released several singles during this time, but never really had the breakout success of some other ladies we know today, like Miz Aretha. I really enjoy Betty's ballads. The song I'm sharing today is from 1968 and is a more upbeat Betty (even though she's singing about a mean man - just go with it).

Betty Harris - Mean Man