(Clockwise from the top) Sarah, Patti, Nona & Cindy

 

Listen/Download – Pattie LaBelle and the Bluebelles – Always Something There To Remind Me

Greetings all.

I had something else lined up to go today, but over the weekend I heard of the passing of lyricist Hal David.

David, who collaborated on countless amazing songs/records with Burt Bacharach in the 60s and early 70s passed away at the age of 91.

I was going to repost Isaac Haye’s epic reworking of ‘Walk On By’, but decided to dip back into the archives (this record was first posted almost exactly a year ago) for this gem.

Here you get classic early LaBelle, and one of Bacharach/David’s finest songs presented in a great arrangement.

I hope you dig it, and I’ll be back with something new on Wednesday.

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It’s been a few years since the mighty voice of Patti LaBelle graced this page.

LaBelle has always been an exceptionally powerful singer, but with the exception of some of the funky LaBelle (group) stuff, it is this writer’s opinion that her superior instrument was never put to better use than the time she and the Bluebelles were recording for Atlantic (1965-1970).

Today’s selection is an epic reading of the Bacharach/David classic, ‘There’s Always Something There To Remind Me’.
Famous in disparate versions, my personal fave was always the original recording by Lou Johnson, but as a fan of the UK Beat era, I always dug Sandie Shaw’s as well.

I think once you’ve heard the LaBelle version (recorded in 1966) all others will fade into the background.

Produced by Bob Finiz and Richie Rome (two names that show up on a lot of Philly records) the cut is a study in dynamics, opening quietly and then literally exploding in the chorus, eventually downshifting (but not quite all the way) in the following verses.

While I think it’s safe to say that nobody (sane) is going to try to dance to this one (I really dig the rhythmic change-up at the ‘Always be a part of me’ section at the end of the chorus), it’s fantastic to listen to.

Finiz and Rome (the arrangement isn’t credited) have built themselves their very own section of the Wall of Sound, except they managed to leave just enough space between the layers (Cake of Sound?) so that individual elements – lead vocal, backing voices, drums, strings, horns – all get to be heard properly.

I hope you dig it, and I’ll be back on Monday.

Keep the faith

Larry

 

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Also, the brand new Funky16Corners ‘Keep Calm and Stay Funky’ stickers have arrived!

The stickers are 4″ x 3″ and printed on high quality, glossy stock.

They are $2.00 each, with free shipping in the US ($2.00 per order shipping outside of the US).

Click here to go to the ordering page.

 

Also, make sure that you check out the links below to the Be The Match Foundation and POAC (click on the logos for more info).

 

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.