Gloria Jones – When He Touches Me
Gloria Jones
Greetings all.
We are in the grips of the winter’s cold, so I thought I’d whip out some nice, warm soul balladry for you.
Gloria Jones is – of course – well known to soulies as the singer that made ‘Tainted Love’ a classic, but she has a deep discography.
I grab her 45s whenever I find them, and today’s selection was a very nice surprise indeed.
As soon as I dropped the needle on ‘When He Touches Me’ I knew it sounded familiar, and about halfway into the song I realized that I already knew the song via a version by the great Rodge Martin.
As it turns out, the song – written by Carolyn Varga – was recorded a number of times by several great singers, including Percy Sledge, Jackie Edwards, Lulu, Mighty Sam and Peaches and Herb.
I haven’t been able to track down any info on Varga (aside from a few, more obscure songs) but I think it’s likely the original recording was by Percy Sledge (though Martin’s version came out the same year).
The Gloria Jones version of ‘When He Touches Me’ is a revelation.
Recorded in 1968, produced by Dallas Smith and arranged by Artie Butler, ‘When He Touches Me’ has a Southern soul feel, and an epic vocal performance by Jones. She really stretches out, moving from soft, sultry depth into stratospheric soul shouting, backed by some very nice guitar and backing vocals (the Blossoms??).
The end result is one of the finest female soul vocals I’ve ever heard, from a singer who should have had the opportunity to record more than she did.
Great stuff.
I hope you dig it, and I’ll see you on Wednesday.
Keep the faith
Larry
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Rodge Martin did the original, other side was Lovin’ Machine
I have the Rodge Martin 45. Just wasn’t sure who did the original. I couldn’t find any info on Carolyn Varga.
Fantastic track. Hope to see you’re back in “real time” soon.
Whoops! Apologies…should have written “Glad to see you’re back in real time.” Brain goes on before fingers start typing. 🙂
Real nice. Solomon Burke’s version is regal.