No love times two...

Just in case ya'll needed more proof that I'm a sick woman....

Two copies of the same record with different versions of the same song. Both are tough to find for a reasonable price, however the version without strings usually sells for a premium.

Hope ya'll enjoy.....

No Love [with strings]

No Love [without strings]

Who don't smoke, who don't drink, who don't fool with no woman but me...

Those who've been hanging around here awhile will know that I'm absolutely nuts about Mable John. So guess what? I finally found a [reasonably priced] copy of her second 45. Thing is two different versions of the a-side were released on two different records each with different matrix numbers, one with strings, the other without.....and of course I want both of them both. Make a nice post wouldn't it, both versions?

Anyway, the b-side is the same on both 45's, and luckily it's a great one too. Word is that the Supremes are on back up vocals on some of these early Tamla/Motown cuts. I'm wondering if this isn't one of them.

Hope ya'll enjoy....

I may be wrong but for him I'm right.....

In a previous post about Mable John, I said something about how her records are cheap. Well, that's not always true, and even her 45's on Stax [which are what I was referring to at the time] seem to be going for a little bit more than they used to.

This record can sell for a lot of cash, that's why I own a beat up copy. Cost me all of $4, it did. And ya know, it will probably do me just fine until I find another cheap copy in better shape. As much as I love Mable John, I'm simply not going to pay $50-$100 a pop for nice copies of her output on Tamla.

If you'd like a better copy than what I'm offering, I suggest you check out "My Name Is Mable: The Complete Collection". It only covers the Tamla recordings but includes a wealth of fantastic unreleased tracks. Highly recommended.

For the Stax recordings, the comp to buy is "Stay Out Of The Kitchen". It too has loads of unreleased tracks, but for some reason does not include any of the a-sides of her released singles. Bummer, but it's still, in my opinion, a must-have collection. The world is truly a better place because it exists.

[Update: now that I think about it, these comps are likely the only albums of her recordings ever released]

Anyway, hope ya'll like this one.....

They say that he don't love you...

I have a problem with Raeletts 45's. The mix almost always pushes 'the girls' into the background, even as they're supposedly being featured. This occurs time and again.

I wouldn't necessarily complain about this under normal circumstances, but holy cow, some major major talent passed through the Raeletts.....and I think 'the girls' deserved better.

In this case, that talent is Mable John. Sister of Little Willie John. The first female Berry Gordy signed to his then brand new label Tamla. Singer on some of the best records Stax ever issued.

Let's put it this way, I didn't buy this 45 because it's a Raeletts record, I bought it because it's a Mable John single.

Hope ya enjoy.

My work is never done...

Speaking of cool songs..

One of the small blessings of life is that Mable John 45's go for cheap.

I've never heard a one which didn't crank me.

Enjoy