The Blossoms – Soul and Inspiration
The Blossoms, Darlene Love, bottom left
Listen/Download The Blossoms – Soul and Inspiration
Greetings all
The end of another week is at hand, and that means that the Funky16Corners Radio Show is as well. We come to you each and every Friday night at 9PM on Viva Radio with the finest in funk, soul, jazz and rare groove, all on original vinyl.
If you can’t be there at airtime, you can subscribe to the show as a podcast in iTunes, or grab and MP3 download here at the blog.
The tune I bring you today is another one of those great 45s where an artist relegated to a supporting role gets their chance to move to the front of the stage.
If you are a music fan or record collector, the name of the Blossoms will surely be a familiar one, especially in relation to the oeuvre of Phil Spector.
As an important part of his studio “machine”, the Blossoms lent their backing (and sometimes lead) vocals to any number of Spector-related projects.
The trio, which included Darlene (Wright) Love, Jean King, Fanita James (and for a time Gloria Jones) were a crucial part of groups like Bobb B Soxx and the Blue Jeans, and the Crystals, as well as backing just about everyone else that Spector recorded, as well as touring with both Elvis Presley and Tom Jones.
They also recorded a number of 45s under their own name for labels like Challenge, Reprise, Ode, MGM, Bell, Lion and Epic during the 60s and 70s.
I found today’s selection last year, and was intrigued by the fact that it had the Blossoms covering a Righteous Brothers hit (‘Soul and Inspiration’) produced by Righteous Brother #1, Bill Medley.
What I didn’t know at the time, was that during the late 60s, Darlene Love and Bill Medley were a couple.
The Blossoms 1969 version of the song divests it of some of the bombast of the 1966 original (also produced by Medley), replacing it with a more relaxed, soulful approach (though, oddly, both arrangements are credited to Bill Baker).
Love’s lead vocal is – predictably – excellent, and the group harmonies are spot on.
Despite its obvious high quality, ‘Soul and Inspiration’, like the rest of the Blossoms discography (save 1967s ‘Good Good Lovin’ which made it to #45 R&B) failed to make a dent in the charts. It did see a UK issue on the Pama label in 1970.
The flipside, ‘Stand By’ has a much earlier feel to it.
I hope you dig the sounds, and that you all have a great weekend.
See you on Monday
Keep the faith
Larry
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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).
Themocracy
Wow! Darlene is one of my favorites, and to be served a single I did not know existed! Thanks, Larry.
A great tune… and today 7-26 is Darlene Love’s 72nd birthday.
I did not know that! Thanks, Tony!