Phyllis Dillon

Born in Jamaica in 1948, Phyllis Dillon started singing for Duke Reid (Treasure Isle records) when she was 19. A lot of her recordings were covers of obscure american releases but she did write a few things including Alton Ellis' release 'Rocksteady'. Another one of the artists around the time that worked constantly but received no financial recompense, at 24 she quit the music business not to return for 20 years. 

Alberto Dominguez Borras wrote 'Perfidia' (spanish for 'perfidy') about betrayal of love in 1939 with the Engligh lyrics by Milton Reed. In 1960 it was first released on audio single by The Ventures. It had been performed many times before that and covered many times since and I love the Ventures.. but this is my favourite. 

(sock it to me baby)

www.zshare.net/audio/58425309e2ca43ee

Brenda Lee/Pet Shop Boys

Brenda Lee was big in 1958 with 'I'm Sorry' - at just 14 years old. If you don't know it, you'll know her 'Rockin Around the Christmas Tree'. She was her family breadwinner at age 10 by singing in events and for tv & radio. She had more chart hits in the States in the early-mid 60's than everyone but Elvis, The Beatles and Ray Charles. She left music for a while, remerging in the 70's a country singer. In June 1972 she released a song written by John Christopher, Mark James and Wayne Thompson - 'Always On My Mind'

Elvis released his version in November 1972, Willie Nelson 1982. But its not them I'm interested in.

Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, Pet Shop Boys, are fantastic. They just...are. Rent, Its A Sin, Heart, West End Girls and here they are in 1988 making this country song their own.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSaV7fP107c

www.zshare.net/audio/583756224bf0cca8

Brenda Lee, in case you haven't heard it

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHKNk2He7vc

www.zshare.net/audio/58376559fd31c7da

Al

Albert Greene started performing age 10 and used to mimic the voices of his heroes - Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke until he dropped the 'e' and started developing his own voice in 1969, signed to Hi Records. His first album, released that year, was a moderate success (Green In Blues) but his next (Al Green Gets Next To You) earned 4 gold singles in 1970. His next album was 'Lets Stay Together' in 1972.

In 1974 a girlfriend of his threw a pan boiling grits at him before shooting herself with her gun at his home. After that, Al turned to religion became an ordained pastor in 1976 and concentrated on gospel music. 

Back to 1970 though and Robin & Barry Gibb wrote 'How Can You Mend A Broken Heart' for Andy Williams but when he rejected it, they recorded it themselves and released it in 1971...Al Green covered it in his 1972 album 'Lets Stay Together'

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udn05aPzAHQ

www.zshare.net/audio/583753996fc36d72

Marvin

To describe Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. as 'troubled' doesn't really cover it. With a raging cocaine addiction, he sang ballads about love while beating the women he professed to care about. A depressed, complicated man who died by the hand of his father- who shot him in 1984.

I Heard It Through The Grapevine was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1966 and first recorded by the Miracles. The version sung by Gladys Knight and the Pips was released in 1967 but it was Marvin's version of 1968 that went straight to no.1 became the biggest selling Motown single at that point.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oya_DNw2vyg

www.zshare.net/audio/5837480269b174dc

Nina

I've got to thank Abi for this one.  She introduced me to it just over a year ago and it blew my mind.

Eunice Waymon played the piano at 4 and trained to become a classical pianist. To support her family she got a job in a bar where she was told she had to sing as well as play piano. In 1954 she became Nina Simone. In the late '50s she recorded some tracks for the Bethlehem label and one song 'I Love You' from Porgy & Bess became a hit and the rest, as they say, is history. I love so many of her songs, compositions and arrangements...

'You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To' was written by Cole Porter in 1943 for a film and Nina arranged and sang this at Newport Jazz Festival in 1960 which is where this recording is taken from. I recommend listening to it loud with no interruptions.

Under stars chilled by the winter

Under an August moon shining above

www.zshare.net/download/583702556baf2378

Gram

I'm not going to insult you by telling you all about this one time International Submarine, Byrd and Burrito brother; Ingram Cecil Connor III.

Last Thing On My Mind was a song written by Tom Paxton which he recorded himself in 1964 but was covered by about 50 artists - Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Marianne Faithful, Willie Nelson, Harry Belafonte, Chris de Burgh.......

My favourite version from my favourite alternative cowboy... 1966 - from the album Lost Recordings...oh Gram.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCh_Z8L1F_s

www.zshare.net/download/58366730bfac1dac

(I also love Flying Burrito Bros 'Wild Horses' 1971 cover)