Listen/Download James Spencer – Take This Woman Off the Corner

Greetings all.

The end of the week is here, and so it’s time for me to remind you to check out the Funky16Corners Radio Show. Join us at 9PM this and every Friday night on Viva Radio or fall by the blog over the weekend to pick yourself up an MP3 of the broadcast.

The tune I bring you this fine day is one of those things where I “knew of” a record, whether by reputation, or another collectors finds list or some such. A few years back, when I was down in DC spinning and digging, I had a very good day at the DC Record Show where I managed to bag several long time want list items, as well as a couple of other gems, one of which you see before you now.

When I got the record home, I discovered not only a very groovy, very funky tune, but also a nice, fat drumbreak opening up the whole thing.

James Spencer had a nice, raspy voice, and the arrangement – with production by Roosevelt Jamison – is very cool.
Though I don’t know anything about James Spencer (Sir Shambling lists two 45s at Deep Soul Heaven, but acknowledges that there is some controversy as to whether or not they are by the same James Spencer) but the Memphis label has an interesting story.

My first experience with the imprint was via a non-soul group, that being the New Zealand Trading Company.

On the soul tip, Memphis released sides by Ollie Nightingale, the Girls, and most importantly (at least to this story) Billy Butler and Infinity.

As it turns out, Memphis – despite the name, and the fact that some of it’s sides were in fact recorded in that city – was co-owned by Chitown giants (and brothers) Jerry Butler and Billy Butler.

In fact, Jerry Butler would team up with Gene Chandler (as Gene and Jerry) to record their own version of this song as “Ten and Two (Take This Woman Off the Corner)” for Mercury in 1971.

I hope you dig the tune, and I’ll see you all on Monday.

Keep the faith

Larry

 

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