Judy Mowatt

Listen/Download – Gaylettes – Son of a Preacher Man MP3

Greetings all.

Welcome to another week here at Funky16Corners as we all join together in the waning days of the summer to regret complaining about the heat one last time (before we start complaining about the cold, or at least that’s how it is for those of us here in New Jersey).

We’re going to get the week started with one of of my all-time favorite Jamaican covers of US soul, and another one of those 45s that I couldn’t believe that I already hadn’t written about.

The 45 in question is the Gaylettes 1969 version of ‘Son of a Preacher Man’.

Though Dusty Springfield had the biggest/best known hit with the song in 1968, in the next couple of years Aretha Franklin, the Carnival and even the Gaylettes made some inroads into the US charts with versions of the tune.

The Gaylettes were a Jamaican trio (recording in the UK) featuring Judy Mowatt (later a solo star and member of Bob Marley’s backing singers the I-Threes) Beryl Lawson and Merle Clemenson. The group recorded a bunch of singles in the late 60s, including one of my favorite rock steady 45s, their reworking of Brenda Lee’s ‘Here’s Comes That Feeling’.

The Gaylettes version of ‘Son of a Preacher Man’ features some very groovy organ and guitar and breaks from the laid back funk of Springfield’s hit, opting instead for a brisk, dance floor-friendly pace.

Their version was a minor hit in the Northeast (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts) in the end of the summer of 1969, which goes a long way to explaining why the single got two US pressings, on Hourglass and Steady.

The US was getting its first real taste for reggae sounds in 1969*, with substantial hits by Jimmy Cliff (Wonderful World,Beautiful People) and Desmond Dekker and the Aces (Israelites) that year, which may have primed the pump as it were for the sound of the Gaylettes.

It is a groovy record indeed, and I hope you dig it.

Keep the faith

Larry

 
*Though both Millie Small and Prince Buster had gotten US airplay in 1964 and 1967 respectively
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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.

One Response to “Gaylettes – Son of a Preacher Man”

1. Chad says:

   August 16, 2015 at 3:12 pm

   Great song…their “Silent River Runs Deep” is also not to be missed. Perfect for a summer day.