Saturday Funk comin' up. Once again from GWP. Two songs, one true gritty sister funk, the other more »poppy and bobby« but still »catchy« (as Ady Croasdell put it).
What you see is the cover of GWP's first volume of Soul, Black & Beautiful, released in 1971 (GWP LP # ST 2037). I posted some stuff from the second volume a short while ago (see here), and in another post you could hear Betty Barney. Twice I already mentioned her monster funk tune »Momma, Momma«. So I thought it past time to post it here. »Momma, Momma« (together with »You Want My Lovin'«) was Betty's only release for GWP, recorded in NYC in April 1969. It then found its way on this LP. I presume most of you know the song. You should, anyhow, and those unfortunate who haven't heard the song before be prepared: from the first chicken-scratchy guitar licks this songs tears down a wall and Betty hollers her heart out.
Betty Barney: »Momma, Momma« from the GWP LP # ST-2037 (1971):
The second song, Debbie Taylor's »Stop«, comes from the second volume. Recorded in 1970, it was her last release for GWP (originally on GWP's Grapevine # 202), uptempo and eminently danceable. Ady Croasdell in his notes to Ace/Kent CD # 326 said that the tune »probably under-utilises Debbie's husky vocals.« I think he is right in that and Debbie could do better. And she would soon after, on Today. You'll hear that soon. And there'll be more about Debbie. For tonight, we gotta STOP!
Debbie Taylor: »Stop« from the GWP LP # ST-2041 (1971):
... days are passing by me right now, with me barely noticing. Got so many things on my mind and more to do. I'm also movin' around fairly much and it's no fun, really. So best I can do today is posting two more songs from the 1971 GWP LP »Soul, Black & Beautiful, Vol. II«. You could already hear two instrumentals from this album on this blog, both by the Pazant Bro- thers. Now, today's songs belong to two funk sistas, Little Rose Little and Betty Barney; Betty recorded most of her stuff (and perform- ed in NYC together) with the Pazant Brothers, notably »Momma, Momma«.
Little Rose Little's tune »Family Tree« is much loved by rare-&-early-funk aficiona- dos. And, yes, I agree, it could have been a nice song, and Little Rose certainly had the voice for it. Unfortunately, the bass line in the song is completely fucked up, the piano doesn't fare much better and it's about one of the worst funk recordings I know of. Sorry to say this. Feel free to think otherwise. You can also listen to the song on Ace # CDBGPD 170. The second song is Betty Barney's »You Want My Lovin'«, first released in 1969 on GWP # 502, then on the 1971 LP. It's been included on another Ace/Kent CD, CDKEND 249. Well, it's a nice song, just so you know.
Little Rose Little: »Family Tree« / Betty Barney: »You Want My Lovin'« from the GWP LP # ST 2041 (1971):
I am interested in the music, not in the relative rarity of discs. I also listen with great pleasure to Aretha Franklin, because she has the voice of the century. Music is no Faith and therefore has no heretics.
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No music downloads on this site. All mp3s (with very few exceptions where noted) are ripped from original vinyl discs. If something on this blog is objectionable to anyone or should, for valid reasons, be re- moved from the net please let me know; it will be removed. And to reiterate: This is a non-profit blog.
