You Can’T Do That (Doris Willingham) (Bonus Track)
Lost Again (Doris Willingham) (Bonus Track)
Doris Duke's "i'm a Loser" is Considered by Many - Including the Late Dave Godin, to Be the Greatest Deep Soul Album of all Time. To Satisfy the Demand from Those who Missed Its Previous (And Very Brief) Japanese CD Reissu... more »e in the Early 1990s, Kent is Honoured to Restore "i'm a Loser" to Catalogue, as Part of this Retrospective of Doris' Two Year Collaboration with Another R&B Legend, Jerry Williams Jr AKA Swamp Dogg. As Well as Doris' Two Swamp-produced Albums, the CD also features the First Reissue, in 36 Years!, of Both Sides of Doris' Rare Us Jay Boy Single (Originally Released as Doris Willingham). The Sleeve Notes Include Swamp Dogg's Own Reminiscences of the Sessions that Produced this Monumentally Soulful Music.« less
Doris Duke's "i'm a Loser" is Considered by Many - Including the Late Dave Godin, to Be the Greatest Deep Soul Album of all Time. To Satisfy the Demand from Those who Missed Its Previous (And Very Brief) Japanese CD Reissue in the Early 1990s, Kent is Honoured to Restore "i'm a Loser" to Catalogue, as Part of this Retrospective of Doris' Two Year Collaboration with Another R&B Legend, Jerry Williams Jr AKA Swamp Dogg. As Well as Doris' Two Swamp-produced Albums, the CD also features the First Reissue, in 36 Years!, of Both Sides of Doris' Rare Us Jay Boy Single (Originally Released as Doris Willingham). The Sleeve Notes Include Swamp Dogg's Own Reminiscences of the Sessions that Produced this Monumentally Soulful Music.
CD Reviews
All Killer, Some Filler
Arch Stanton | Bondurant, WY USA | 05/14/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I am avid listener of Southern music and have to say that I would stack the first dozen tracks of this CD up against anything ever recorded at Stax or Muscle Shoals or Philly International. Duke borrowed her stage name from the tobacco heiress, figuring it might help her career, and went into the studio with Swamp Dogg to create some serious alchemy. The covers towards the end of the CD are victimized by poor arrangements (ex "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" is tough on the ears) but the stuff from her first album and side 1 of her second effort are top-shelf.
Hopefully someone will reissue Swamp Dogg's "Total Destruction to Your Mind" for another blast of Deep Soul."
Lost Treasure: Doris Duke
Truth | DC | 03/01/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Lost Treasure: Doris Duke
Doris Curry was a session singer in New York before releasing several singles in 1967 under her married name, Doris Wellingham. After her divorce and second marriage she was privately Doris Logan, but professionally became Doris Duke, as in the "Black Doris Duke" to the Anglo-American tobacco-fortune heiress of the same name; a stage name much like that of rapper Jackie-O or DJ Coco Channel.
I'M A LOSER: THE COMPLETE SWAMP DOGG SESSIONS... AND MORE consists of 26 songs, comprised of the 1969 Canyon LP "I'm a Loser" (tracks 1-12), the 1971 Mankind LP "A Legend in Her Own Time" (tracks 13-23), and three Jay Boy recordings from 1967 (tracks 24-26). Disc packaged in black jewel case; total running time: 79:07. Booklet includes an extensive essay (in small font) by Tony Rounce, several photographs, original album covers, images of several 45 record singles, and songwriter credits (some chart position information is provided in the essay; producer credits and musician personnel are not included). Sound quality is good.
The disc concludes with three songs from 1967; track 24 was previously unissued (another song, "Make It on Out" was not included due to time restraints). The other tracks are taken from Doris's two albums produced by Jerry "Swamp Dogg" Williams Jr. Among the gems from these classic Soul albums are "Feet Start Walking", the up-tempo "Congratulations Baby", the bluesy "Ghost of Myself", "I Don't Care Anymore", the ballad "I Wish I Could Sleep", and "If She's Your Wife (Who Am I)". Familiar songs include "I'd Do It All Over You" (also recorded by Irma Thomas), "Since I Fell for You", and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix".
The song "I Don't Care Anymore" includes these lyrics: "Then I met a guy as smooth as silk, in a midtown bar / He said with my good looks, I'd go very far // I didn't know what he meant / I thought he was heaven-sent // Until I found out his sweet talkin' / Added up to street walking". There are other great lyrics as well as great melodies, music, and vocals.
Doris's voice is very similar to that of contemporary Blues singer Shemekia Copeland.
This UK import is not widely available, and often expensive, but is a great addition to any collection of late 60s and 70s Soul music.
"
The Real Deal
Karl Siever | Richmond, Virginia United States | 02/27/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Can't add a lot to the previous reviews, just want to confirm everything said. This is true Southern Soul music. Doris doesn't impress you so much with the range of her voice, just her conviction. You feel every word she sings, and this to me makes for the best vocals. Want to also praise the Swamp Dogg production. Lots of nice touches and embellishments that makes this not only a great soul album, but a pop gem as well.
If you love classic Memphis soul of the 60s-70s (Bettye Swann, Candi Staton, Ann Peeples, Syl Johnson, Al Green), you'll love this disc."
Deep, Deep Soul
Anthony S. Prowse | Melbourne, Australia | 03/10/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yep, the "I'm a Loser" album is the best deep soul affair ever waxed. The other album and extra tracks are just a bonus to let us know that "I'm a Loser" is far and away the best. Swamp Dogg Williams' production is spot on and the songs are full of pain and angst. Whenever I play this to friends and/or party-goers it stops all coversation; not a bad recommendation. I had the "I'm a Loser" album on vinyl and was presently suprised to find it on CD; I bought it without a second thought and play it when I need a dose of deep, heartbreaking soul. Go out and get it now; I'll wait!"
Track Listings (25) - Disc #1