Willie West

Listen/Download – Willie West – Keep You Mine MP3

Greetings all.

The beginning of another week is here, and as is my occasional custom, I bring you something guaranteed to ease you into things.

Willie West is one of the finest singers to come out of New Orleans, having recorded several amazing 45s back in the day, and then making a comeback in the last ten years.

His sides for Rustone, Frisco, Deesu, Josie and Warner Brothers, covering ground from deep ballads to spot-on funk are to the last, stellar examples of the greatness of the Crescent City.

Unlike many of his NOLA contemporaries, West had seen some success outside of the city, having had a hit with his first Deesu 45, ‘Greatest Love’ earlier in 1967 in a number of markets.

Today’s selection is the B-side of his second outing for Deesu (from 1967). ‘Keep You Mine’ (written by West) was paired with a rerecording of his first local hit, 1960’s ‘Did You Have Fun’, and it is not only one of my favorite NOLA ballads, but yet another incredible example of the sublime arranging and producing talents of the mighty Allen Toussaint.

‘Keep You Mine’ moves at a deliberate pace, with the instrumental backing just unobtrusive enough to allow West’s voice to shine, yet still filled with interesting touches that grab your attention with every listen.

The lead guitar accents, well-placed horns, and especially Toussaint weaving in and out with what sounds like a combo organ (really the co-star of the record) make this one for the ages.

Interestingly enough, the flipside of this record ‘Did You Have Fun’ (which deserves its own post) charted briefly in Detroit and New Orleans.

Willie West is another one of those brilliant, Toussaint-associated New Orleans singers, along with Eldridge Holmes, Diamond Joe, Willie Harper and Wallace Johnson, who really is deserving of having his work compiled and reissued by a quality outfit, capable of presenting it with the care it deserves.

I hope you dig this one as much as I do, and I’ll see you on Wednesday.

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.

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.