Miss Bettye Swann

 

Greetings all.

The end of the week is here, and so is the Funky16Corners Radio Show. We come to you each and every Friday night at 9PM on Viva Radio with the best in funk, soul, jazz and rare groove, all on original vinyl. If you cannot be there at airtime, you can always subscribe to the show as a podcast in iTunes, listen on your mobile device through the TuneIn app, or grab an MP3 here at the blog.

The tune I bring you today is another fine example of how no matter how much you dig, and listen and learn, there is always something new to dig.

While I knew the name Bettye Swann, I had never heard any of her music, until I was fortunate enough to find the 45 you see before you today.

Swann was a native of Louisiana who relocated to Los Angeles in the 1950s.

She started recording for the Money label in 1964 and had her first hit the following year with ‘Don’t Wait Too Long’.

She recorded ‘Make Me Yours’ in 1967, and had an R&B #1 hit with it (making it into the Pop Top 20 as well).

‘Make Me Yours’ is a great mid-tempo number with a punchy bass, some sweet vibes and a stellar vocal by Bettye.

The flipside, ‘I Will Not Cry’ takes a similar tempo in a ballad direction, and despite the chart success of the A-side, is my fave of the two songs (both penned by Swann).

Following a run with Money that ended in 1967, Swann resurfaced with Capitol in 1968, and then Atlantic in 1971, having R&B hits with both labels.

The really groovy thing is, if you are not inclined to dig for OG vinyl, there are comps available of Swann’s Money and Capitol sides available on CD and iTunes.

I hope you dig the sounds, and I’ll see you all 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).

 

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

2 Responses to “Bettye Swann – Make Me Yours b/w I Will Not Cry”

1. darcy says:

   February 19, 2015 at 3:24 pm

   Hi Larry,
   If you haven’t acquianted yourself already, make sure to listen to my personal fav Bettye Swann track: “My Heart Is Closed For The Season”. Great title, great lyrics (written by Bettye), great great record.

2. Larry says:

   February 20, 2015 at 8:13 pm

   I will check that out!