Margie Hendrix - Women's History Month

I guess I have a soft spot for lady singers who were pushed to the background in spite of their undeniable talent.  Today's featured lady is Margie Hendrix, who is best remembered as a featured member of Ray Charles back-up singers the Raelettes.  

But Margie Hendrix's voice was far too powerful to be contained or hidden in the shadows. She belonged front and center and in this blog entry I hope to demonstrate why.

Unfortunately her tumultuous personal life would never allow Margie to see experience the glory she deserved.   So today please take some time to listen someone who SHOULD be considered a legend.

She started as a member of the original Cookies.


The harmonies of the Cookies were well regarded and they were soon sought out to add a "churchy" feel to this landmark recording by Chuck Willis.


It's Too Late" was one of the first r&b recordings to incorporate this essential ingredient for "a recipe for soul"- A recipe that Ray Charles would soon imitate.

He approached the Cookies about being his back up group. They agreed and were rechristened the Raelettes. Margie's voice was utilized by Ray to full effect. It can definitely be argued that his best records were made with Margie as singing partner.

And now for some examples.  First I want to focus on a few tracks from the Ray-Margie partnership (one which included a romantic relationship as well as a child shared) and then I want you to listen to some of Margie's solo records. SOLID GOLD!


Here's the first of three videos of live footage of Margie in action with Brother Ray.







And now some solo records. They are some of the best records ever made and a powerful example of FEMINIST soul!









- Post by Portland's DJ Action Slacks of Sugar Town

Women's History Month Day 4 - Justine "Baby" Washington

Today we turn our ears to Justine "Baby" Washington.  She's long been in my top ten favorite soul singers.  

You know how it is when you find that one singer who seems to be singing your story?  It feels as if they're plugged into you heart and are singing it all just for you?  I think the best modern comparison I can think of would be the way people are generally affected by Adele.  It's like she jumps through the speakers and plucks the tears right out of your eyes.  That's how I feel about Baby Washington. And I'm not the only one.  In fact, Dusty Springfield once named Baby Washington as her all-time favorite singer. It seems that Washington managed to capture and perfectly express the feeling of being misunderstood and alone (a feeling all too common for LGBTQ folks).  As the songwriter for many of her own recordings, loneliness is the theme Justine Washington crafted for herself.  Her vocals have been described as "haunting" and otherworldly, but like so many truly exquisite artists, it's really difficult to find words to describe exactly what it is she does that wrenches your heart and nearly brings you to tears.

She was born in South Carolina but most of her best known recordings were made as part of the "uptown" New York soul scene of the early 60s.  The scene is characterized by intricate lush arrangements and artful productions.  She started in the mid-50s as the youngest member of the girl group The Hearts, which is how she earned the nickname "Baby".  After leaving the group, she launched her solo career with a couple of labels before she landed on Sue Records, where she scored her biggest hits and recorded her most celebrated songs.

Please take a few moments to listen to just what makes her so great.

This is an early solo record. HAND CLAPS!


She also recorded as "Jeanette"


This was her biggest hit.






Dusty covered a couple of Baby Washington records and this is one of them.


This is a nice version of a song that was a hit for Little Anthony and the Imperials.


I would like to close with what I consider to be an incredible video of Baby Washington in a sparkling top performing to the Knights of Columbus in Maryland in 2009. Skip to about 3 minutes. She performs her song "Nobody Cares" followed by "Leave me Alone". At a couple of points she hands over the mic to a few audience members who sing parts of the song. It's very touching. I sure would love to have her come visit us in the PNW.


- Post by Portland's DJ Action Slacks of Sugar Town

Women's History Month - The Bobbettes

Today I'm featuring one of the original "girl groups," the Bobbettes.

Check out this short interview to hear a couple of the Bobbettes talk about the groups' beginnings in Spanish Harlem.  Also some interesting facts about Mr. Lee.  Skip to about 1:20.





They were the first girl group to have a # 1 R&B hit that also reached the top 10 on the pop charts.  Of course I'm talking about "Mr. Lee".  If you're from my generation you were most likely introduced to "Mr. Lee" through the film "Stand By Me."  However, even if it hadn't been one of the many jewels on that soundtrack, you most likely would have encountered the song because it is one of the best records EVER.  The internet tells me that the song was originally written as a slam on the girls' teacher, Mr. Lee.  Atlantic Records reportedly made them change the lyrics to make the song less controversial.

"Mr. Lee" was their biggest hit and though the group stayed together until the mid-70s, they failed to reach that kind of chart success again.  But who cares?!  Too much of 20th century music history writing is focused on hits and chart success.  The simple fact is that these girls were a group of ATOMIC FIREBALLS - sweet, explosive and they set the listener on FIRE!

Why do I love the Bobbettes? Let me count the ways:

1. They wrote at least half of their songs. 

2. They were far more gritty than most of their fellow girl group counterparts at the time (see the Chantels). 

3. Incredible harmonies with really interesting, unique, multi-layered parts that made their records ultra energetic.

4. Sass.  Pure and simple.  I love me some sassy ladies!


So, today I ask you to celebrate Women's History Month by listening to these choice Bobbettes selections.





THIS ONE!




There are so many good ones. It's really hard to restrict myself here. Check this one out!



This is an answer to Chris Kenner's "I Like it Like That". 
It's superior to the original as far as I'm concerned.


They are rumored to have done backing vocals on this classic.



Here we have a fine mid-60s effort.



This super feminist message song has become a northern soul favorite. 
Take a listen and you'll see why.




And we'll close out our Bobbettes listening session with this cover of a pop classic.


- Post by Portland's DJ Action Slacks of Sugar Town

Women's History Month - Shirley Goodman

I will be celebrating some of my favorite ladies from the golden age of R&B and soul all though March. This is not so much a history lesson as it is simply a chance to share my appreciation for some really incredible ladies!

 I'm starting with the late Shirley Goodman, originally from New Orleans. She is probably best remembered as half of the R&B duo of Shirley & Lee, who recorded two of the best records of the 1950s, "Feels So Good" and "Let the Good Times Roll" as well as many other fabulous examples of traditional New Orleans R&B.  Also she was cute as a button!

 Shirley isn't really celebrated very much. I suppose that's because most of her work was as half of various duos- Shirley & Lee, Shirley and Jessie (Hill), Shirley & Company, etc. And yet, she possessed one of the most charming and unique voices in the history of American music. Also Shirley will surprise you. Her voice pops up where you least expect it, as it did as a backing vocalist on the Rolling Stones "Exile on Main Street" lp.

 I adore Shirley, so today I ask you to take a few minutes and listen to her magic on the cuts I've posted below.

"Feel So Good" was the first 50s R&B song I completely fell in love with, sparking a life-long obsession with the best music ever laid on wax.

After Shirley split with Lee she teamed up with another New Orleans legend. Jessie Hill is best known for his iconic R&B anthem "Ooh Poo Pah Doo." My favorite record by Shirley & Jessie is not available on youtube, however this one is also is a Northern Soul classic. Here we have Shirley with "and Company". I've never bothered to learn more about "& Company" but I do find him to be pretty awesome. Prior to recording this MAJOR hit, Shirley was resigned to a life outside of the music biz. It was Sylvia Robinson who coaxed her back into the spotlight to record for her All Platinum Records. THANK YOU SYLVIA, because this is by far one of my favorite disco songs! Finally, this is a special reunion between Shirley & Lee on the show Midnight Special during Shirley's "Shame Shame Shame" era. Note Lee's outfit.

- Post by Portland's DJ Action Slacks of Sugar Town