The Velvelettes – A Bird In the Hand (Is Worth Two In the Bush)
The Velvelettes
Listen/Download -The Velvelettes – A Bird In the Hand (Is Worth Two In the Bush)
Greetings all,, and welcome to the working week.
Before I get started I want to remind you that I’ll be spinning 45s at Spindletop @ Botanic in NYC Monday night (3/21) starting at 10PM. If you’re within driving distance, try to fall by and say hello. It’s a very groovy scene that Perry Lane has going there, and you could spend your Monday night doing a lot less interesting things than getting down to rare soul with a delicious cocktail in your hand.
The tune I bring you today is one of my favorite 45s by my all-time favorite Motown group, the mighty Velvelettes.
Interestingly, though this is the very first thing I ever heard by the group (on a late 80s Motown Rarities comp) it’s the last 45 of theirs I found, picking it up on the cheap at one of the Asbury Lanes record shows.
Formed in the early 60s as the Barbees, then changing their name and releasing their first VIP 45 ‘Needle In a Haystack’ in 1964, the Velvelettes – working almost exclusively with the legendary Norman Whitfield – recorded only five 45s during their existence. That these are uniformly excellent, representing the best that the Motown girl groups had to offer explains why I dig them so much.
Though most civilians have probably heard a Velvelettes song or two (possibly via the wan Bananarama cover of ‘He Was Really Sayin’ Something’), their 45s are coveted by soul fans, who recognize a great record when they hear one.
Their material was written by a Who’s Who of Motown greats, including Whitfield, Eddie Holland, Mickey Stevenson, Sylvia Moy, Johnny Bristol and Harvey Fuqua, and though the group only managed minor hits, as I said, the few records they made are unbeatable.
The tune I bring you today, 1965s ‘A Bird In the Hand (Is Worth Two In the Bush)’ is a storming dancer with a typically fantastic vocal by Cal Gill. It’s worth checking out for the bass line alone, which pretty much drives the record. I really dig the way the intro builds its power as well.
It’s always worth mentioning how good a singer Gill was, especially since when you ask most people, the female singer on Motown they remember is Diana Ross, probably the weakest vocalist in their stable, behind powerhouses like Martha Reeves, Brenda Holloway, the alternating leads of the Marvelettes, and ultimately the mighty Gladys Knight.
I hope you dig the tune, and I’ll see you on Wednesday.
Peace
Larry
Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo), in regard to the April 2nd walk. The whole Funky16Corners gang will be walking in support of autism services, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.
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 for some Laurel Canyon cool from Mama Cass.
Digging, Funky16Corners, Norman Whitfield, Northern Soul, Soul, Soul 45
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Funky16Corners, Northern Soul, Soul
Themocracy
Hi Larry – excellent posting! Another great group of voices lost behind Ms Ross.
Don’t know if you’ve heard their Let Love Live – never released on vinyl which is unbelievable – here’s the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLR30zCPYRk
Good luck with the walk and once again thanks for F16C:)
Gail
Yo larry, thanks for the post, it’s a fine piece of soul. The title of this track caught my eye instantly. The reason why is because that phrase is repeated throughout the song “birdie” on the brides of funkensteins first album, funk or walk. I was always confused by the phrase, and I still don’t understand it(mainly because they switch it up once or twice as “a bird in the bush is worth two in the hand”. Anyway if you don’t have the album, it’s a must get, one of george clintons finest works IMHO. Here’s a link to the song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKWz0PJ7-Yk
Keep it real brother
peace,
Cosmo murphy