The tracks are primarily 70s recordings from the mid-southern cities of Atlanta, Birmingham and Nashville. Ten of the twenty-three songs are previously unissued and as is often the case, the absence of vinyl on those recordings was not reflective of their quality. The labels also produced plenty of their own revenue with hits from Loleatta Holloway, Jimmy Lewis, John Edwards and Dorothy Norwood. The publishing arm of the business was equally blessed, with writers of the caliber of Sam Dees, Frederick Knight and Floyd Smith.
Sam Dees’ name is all over this CD, starting the whole thing off with another tender sparsely-recorded ballad Anything Is Fair In Love And War. Though originally intended as a demo, Sam sang it too well for his own good-.-the notion of improving on this version must have been quite daunting. Sam was also heavily involved in the Alpaca Phase III recording that follows it, in fact he was probably a member of the mainly studio group though not the lead singer. Sam’s trademark intimate song style goes right through to track 3 where Bill Brandon gives us Let’s Get It Back Together Again a more mid-paced Dees offering.
All of these songs were found in the studios, as were the two Frederick Knight contributions. Fred was also a fine singer/songwriter and, like Sam Dees, had his songs covered by many artists. You Need A Friend Like Mine was cut on Annette Thomas and Rance Allen for Stax subsidiary labels Truth and Gospel Truth, this original demo is another fine take on an inspiring song. Fred’s other recording featured here is Time, co-written with Dees-.-a more broody, haunting song than the gospel-influenced Friend.
The real bonus with this CD and the ‘Good Guys’ compilation is the inclusion of Moonsong and Clintone recordings. Rozetta Johnson and Bill Brandon were at the pinnacle of their careers when they cut these great ballads and it’s an honor to be allowed to include them here.
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Anything Is Fair In Love and War
1 -
Someone To Run To
2 -
Let's Get It Back Together Again
3 -
I'll Be Around
4 -
You Need A Friend Like Mine
5 -
Messing Up A Good Thing
6 -
How Can You Lose Something You Never Had
7 -
It's All Wrong But It's Alright
8 -
Shouldn't I Be Given The Right To Be Wrong
9 -
Three Into Two Won't Go
10 -
Let Me Be Your Full Time Groover
11 -
Here We Go, Loving Again
12 -
Beggars Can't Be Choosey
13 -
Something About the Way I Feel
14 -
I Count The Minutes
15 -
It's Been So Nice
16 -
How Could You Run Away
17 -
What A Beautiful World This Would Be
18 -
Time
19 -
Husband In Law
20 -
Same Ole Fool Again
21 -
Take My Hand in Your Hand
22 -
Tag Tag
23 -
(I Like Making That) Early Morning Love
24 -
Hanna's Love
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