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

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

Greetings all.

The end of the week is here, and I have dipped into the archive to pull out a supreme bit of soul singing for you all to savor.

But first, I should remind you that the Funky16Corners Radio Show takes to the airwaves of the interwebs this (and every) Friday night at 9PM on Viva Radio. You can also pick it up as an MP3 right here at the blog over the weekend.

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.

And don’t forget…

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Don’t forget that I’ll be spinning some tunes during the annual Point Pleasant Lions Seafood 5K and 1 Mile FUN Run/Walk on this Saturday, September 17th in Pt Pleasant Beach, NJ. The run benefits the JT Foundation for Autism Awareness and runs right before the Seafood Fest (which starts at 10AM). I’ll be spinning all of the funk soul and disco you’d expect, so if you’re in the area, come on down and run, sit and watch people run while listening to music, or get your groove on before hunting down some delicious seafood. It’s a great cause and there’ll be good music, good people and good food, so what else do you need to know?

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Peace

Larry

 

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, 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 too.

 

2 Responses to “Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles – Always Something There To Remind Me”

1. Ted says:

   September 15, 2011 at 8:55 pm

   I had this crazy thing happen this year. I saw a box (over 100 singles) listed on ebay of all Patti LaBelle & the Bluebells that listed at $24.99. It did not sell but thankfully the seller relisted it. I bid the $24.99 and won. No one else bid!

   It was a great box that included a heavily damaged 1st recording of Junkman on Peak and a lot of other stuff on Nicetown & Newtown, Parkway, Atlantic, Warner Brothers and a bunch of the 70s stuff. There was also a bunch of crappy reissues and such but this one you list was there and what a great recording. I also really liked Morning Much Better on Warner – you can really hear where Lady Marmalade came from.

   Thanks a lot for posting.

2. Larry Grogan says:

   September 18, 2011 at 4:00 pm

   Great story Ted. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a single artist lot like that before.