I Can't Stand The Rain (Extended Edited Version)

Hortense again giving a Reggae flavour to a song composed and made famous by Ann Peebles.

Hortense Ellis - Where The Boys Are

Jamaica's Hortense Ellis with a song originally done and a big hit for Connie Francis in 1961. Beautiful clear voice.

Piece Of My Heart

Hortense Ellis was born in 1941 in Trenchtown Jamaica. At 18 she won a singing talent contest and by 23 was voted Jamaica's best female artist. She repeated this 5 years late. She often sang with her older brother Alton and the two toured Canada in 1970. After marrying and having 5 children in quick succession, she became very popular on the British scene ( Lover's Rock) as well as in Jamaica still. She also lived in New York and Miami during the 80s but returned to her belov… See more

Piece of My Heart

I've recently featured this song done by Hortense Ellis and a while back I put Erma Franklin's version up. But this is Susan Cadogan from Jamaica. Very nice clear voice and the backing is not overpowering her.

Carla Thomas / Let It Be Me

I received a very significant piece of Soul music history in the post today. This is Carla Thomas' 4 disc boxed set Let Me Be Good To You, her 1960 to 1968 work with Stax and Atlantic. This is one of the 95 tracks, Written by Pierre Delanoe in 1955 in French and interpreted by Gilbert Becaud with English lyrics. It was also a big hit for The Everly Brothers. Carla's father Rufus and Otis Redding also appear with Carla in duets.

ANNETTE SNELL - MAKE YOU FEEL LOVE AGAIN (SOUL4REAL)

This is some sad nostalgia I've just come across. I mentioned Annette Snell a week or so back . At the age of 32 she was sadly killed when Southern Airways flight 242 flew into a severe thunderstorm stalling both engines. the pilots were making for a small airport but were just a few miles short. Annette was on her way home after a recording session in Muscle shoals. The last three of her songs have been in the vaults for 40 years but thanks to the efforts of a Spanish fan have emerged and been published.Here is one of them. Even Annette herself did not get to hear the finished product.

Teresa Graves -- Speak Your Mind

Teresa Graves or some would recognise her as her TV series name Christie Love, tough but statuesquely beautiful cop! Gone way too soon at 54 in a tragic house fire. Rest in Peace Teresa.

Teresa Graves - A Time For Us '45 rpm'

Teresa Graves was born in1948 in Houston Tx After graduating from high school in 1966 she started off singing with the Doodletown Pipers but cut a solo album in 1970. She also had an extensive acting career and her own TV show . She toured Southeast Asia with Bob Hope in 1967. She had a role as detective Christie Love in one series. Jet magazine called her the epitome of a tough lady cop but more beautiful than Venus! She retired from show biz in 1983 to devote all her time to her faith, being a Jehovah's Witness. She championed the rights of J.W.s in Malawi, persecuted by Hastings Banda. She lived in the same house in LA caring for her aged mother but in 2002 it caught fire due to a space heater. She was found unconscious and taken to hospital but died a short while later. RIP Teresa.

Teresa Graves - Hey Jude

Teresa with a Beatles cover. A very versatile lady. Another artist who had a tragic death at only 54. RIP Teresa.

Teresa Graves (Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine) - Spinning Wheel (1...

Teresa Graves with some dance and some basketball action with the Harlem Globetrotters! She's tall but those guys are taller!

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) with Darlene Love

One of the most powerful voices in Rock! A one woman Wall of Sound! A great favourite of mine! She was past 70 when she did this. Stunning!