Brian's Weekly Sleevenotes - 22 November 14

Don't Make Me (Fall In Love With You) - Babbity Blue

Otis Redding

Born and raised in North London, Babbity Blue whose real name is Barbara Chalk, entered a talent contest at the age of seventeen that led to a contract with Decca Records. After a name change her first release, 'Don’t Make Me (Fall In Love With You)' looked all set to become a major hit after radio and television exposure but the disc stalled at the disappointing chart position of number forty-eight. Her follow up, 'Don’t Hurt Me' failed to register at all after which Babbity disappeared from the music scene.

I'm A Little Mixed Up - Betty James

Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, nightclub singer Betty James wrote 'I’m A Little Mixed Up' and under her own steam recorded it in 1961 with her husband on guitar and her son on bass gaining a release on the small New York based label, Cee-Jay who scored a local R&B hit which gained interest from the mighty Chess organisation who took over the record for national distribution. She released two further singles on the label and then disappeared.

Mr Pitiful - Otis Redding

Released in America as a double ‘A’ side with 'That’s How Strong My Love Is', 'Mr Pitiful' was written by Otis Redding with Steve Cropper and was Otis’s first collaboration with Cropper who wrote the song in response to disc-jockey Moolah Williams, the first black employee of Radio WDIA in Memphis, Tennessee, who nick-named Otis, 'Mr Pitiful' after playing one of his records and stating that he sounded so pitiful when singing ballads.

Read Bob Stanley's profile of the King of Southern Soul, here.

Lover's Chant - Dee Dee Warwick

The Walker Brothers

This song 'Lover’s Chant' was written by Samuel Bell and soul singer, Lorraine Ellison who recorded the classic version of 'Stay With Me' and appeared on the ‘B’ side of Dee Dee’s Mercury single, 'I Want To Be With You'. Lorraine was present at the recording session and is believed to have helped out on the backing vocals. Dee Dee once admitted it was one of the few songs she had been given during this period of her career that she actually liked. Dee Dee Warwick struggled with narcotics addiction for many years and was in failing health for some time. Her sister Dionne was with her when she died on October 18, 2008 aged 63.

Rag Doll - The Four Seasons

Bob Gaudio came up with the idea for the song when he was stopped at a red light on his way to the studios and a young poorly dressed girl appeared in front of his car a washed his windscreen. He fished around for some coins to give her but could only find a five dollar bill to give her. The astonished look on her face led him to remember her when he came to writing the song.

The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore - The Walker Brothers

Composed by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, the song was originally released as a solo single by Frankie Valli in 1965.

Bob Stanley has compiled a fitting tribute to the late, great Bob Crewe, here.

Silhouettes - Herman’s Hermits

James Booker

Written by Bob Crewe and Frank Slay, the song was originally an American hit for both The Rays and The Diamonds in 1957. The idea of the song came to Crewe when he was looking out of the window of a train and spotted the shadow of a couple embracing in the shade of a passing building. He quickly set about turning the image into a hit song.

Lovin' Things - Marmalade

Having released several unsuccessful singles for EMI as Dean Ford & The Gaylords, the group were signed to CBS and changed their name to Marmalade, recording under the supervision of producer, Mike Smith at the same time they landed a residency at London’s Marquee club supporting Pink Floyd and touring with The Who and The Tremeloes. Still in search of that illusive hit, they rejected the song 'Everlasting Love' that became a number one for The Love Affair thus making their label increasingly concerned about their lack of chart success. CBS threatened to cancel their contract and pressure was put on them to record the Artie Ashroeck song, 'Lovin’ Things' against their wishes, but despite their complaints it gave them their first hit single.

Gonzo - James Booker

James Carroll Booker III was born in New Orleans, Louisiana where he mastered the art of playing classical piano at an early age helping him develop his unique style of combining R&B with jazz. The Flamboyant Booker made his recording debut in 1954 when he was signed to the Imperial label that led to some session work with Fats Domino and Lloyd Price and in 1960 his recording of 'Gonzo' reached number forty-three in America, ten years later he received a prison sentence for drug possession and it was this that finally contributed to his death in 1983 aged just forty-three.