The C.O.D.'s – I'm A Good Guy / Pretty Baby

 

The C.O.D.'s – I'm A Good Guy / Pretty Baby (Rare Soul Vinyl Review & History)

Kellmac Records 1965 ‎– 1005

notes:

The rare soul single I'm A Good Guy / Pretty Baby by 

The C.O.D.'s is a hidden gem among collectors of 1960s

 Chicago soul. Known for its smooth harmonies and 

emotional delivery, this 45 rpm vinyl has become a 

favorite in Northern Soul circles and among rare record enthusiasts.

Crédits

    Backing Band – Paul Bascomb And Orch.*

    Producer – Cody*, Singleton*

    Written-By – Larry Brownlee, The C.O.D.'s

 Tracklist

A I'm A Good Guy 2:45

B Pretty Baby 2:47

link

Lee "Shot" Williams – You're Welcome To The Club

 

Lee "Shot" Williams – You're Welcome To The Club / Hold Me, Hold Me, Hold Me (Rare Soul Gospel Classic)

Federal Records 1964‎– 45-12522

notes:

If you’re a fan of classic gospel soul and vintage vinyl, this 

powerful release from Lee "Shot" Williams is a must-hear.

Best known for his work with The Spiritual QC's, Lee “Shot” Williams 

delivers raw emotion and deep spiritual intensity in both tracks.

 You're Welcome To The Club

This song blends traditional gospel themes with Southern soul 

energy, creating a heartfelt invitation into faith and community.

 The gritty vocals and expressive delivery make it stand out

 among classic gospel recordings.

credits:

Lee "Shot" Williams vocal

Often backed by The Spiritual QC's

Written-By – S. Thompson

Based on how recordings by Lee "Shot" Williams were typically made:

Backing band was likely:

Touring members of The Spiritual QC’s

Local studio/session musicians (often uncredited)

Typical instrumentation included:

Hammond organ

Electric guitar (Southern soul style)

Bass guitar

Live drums

Background vocalists (church-style harmonies)

tracklist:

A You're Welcome To The Club 2:59

B Hold Me, Hold Me, Hold Me 2:40

link

The Impressions (1963 Album)

The Impressions (1963 Album) – Tracklist, History & Curtis Mayfield’s Soul Classic

ABC-Paramount Records 1963 ‎– ABC-450

notes:

The group was founded as The Roosters by Chattanooga, Tennessee natives

 Sam Gooden,Richard Brooks, and Arthur Brooks, who moved to Chicago 

and added Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield to their line-up to become

 Jerry Butler & the Impressions. By 1962, Butler and the Brookses had departed,

 and after switching to ABC-Paramount Records, Mayfield, Gooden, and new 

Impression Fred Cash collectively became a top-selling soul act. 

The original pressing of the album did not include "It's Alright" 

and instead included "Can't You See" as track 6.

credits:

    Curtis Mayfield - tenor vocals, guitar

    Fred Cash - tenor vocals

    Sam Gooden - baritone and bass vocals

    Arthur Brooks - tenor vocals

    Richard Brooks - tenor vocals

Recorded July 1961–March 1962

Producer Curtis Mayfield, Rory Glover, Jr.

Written-By – Curtis Mayfield (tracks: A1 to A5, B1, B3 to B6)

tracks list:

A1 It's All Right 2:48

A2 Gypsy Woman 2:20

A3 Grow Closer Together 2:12

A4 Little Young Lover 2:14

A5 You've Come Home 2:45 Impressions, The ‎– The Impressions

A6 Never Let Me Go

Written-By – Joe Scott*2:30

B1 Minstrel And Queen 2:22

B2 I Need Your Love

Written-By – Richard Brooks 2:25

B3 I'm The One Who Loves You 2:28

B4 Sad, Sad Girl And Boy 2:40

B5 As Long As You Love Me 2:27

B6 Twist And Limbo 2:29

link

 

Etta James – Call My Name 1966

 

Etta James – Call My Name LP (Cadet Records): Soul Classic Vinyl Review

Cadet Records 1966 ‎– LP 4055

notes:

Released in 1967, Call My Name captures Etta James at 

a turning point in her career, blending deep soul, gospel 

influences, and emotional storytelling. This album stands 

as a powerful example of late-60s rhythm and blues evolution.

Released January 27, 1967

Recorded December 1966

Studio Ter Mar Studios, Chicago

credits:

Producer Monk Higgins & Ralph Bass

Engineer – Doug Brand

While exact session credits for every track may vary or 

be partially undocumented, recordings from this period 

at Cadet/Chess studios commonly featured:

 Piano and Hammond organ players from Chicago’s soul scene

 Electric guitar session musicians specializing in blues-R&B fusion

 String orchestras arranged for emotional depth

Horn sections (trumpet, saxophone, trombone)

 Professional rhythm section drummers and bassists from studio pools

These musicians were not always credited individually, 

but they were essential to shaping the rich soul sound of the album.

tracklist:

A1 Happiness 2:48

written by Smith, Dollison

A2 That's All I Want From You 2:45

written by Rotha

A3 Have A Little Faith In Me 2:40

written by Higgins, Wrencher

A4 I'm So Glad (I Found Love In You) 3:12

written by Smith, Dollison

A5 You Are My Sunshine 2:37

written by Davis, Mitchell

A6 It Must Be Your Love 2:52

written by Bernard, Higgins, Dollison, Foster

B1 842-3089 (Call My Name) 2:57

written by Higgins, Dollison, Foster

B2 Don't Pick Me For Your Fool 2:31

written by Higgins, Dollison, Foster

B3 I Prefer You 2:50

written by Higgins, Dollison

B4 Nobody Loves Me 2:45

written by Higgins, Wrencher

B5 It's All Right 2:37

written by C. Mayfield

B6 Nobody Likes You 2:53

written by Higgins, Dollison

link

Etta James – At Last! 1960

 

Etta James – At Last! Album Review, Songs, Meaning & Legacy

Argo Records ‎1961 – LPS 4003

notes:

At Last! is the debut studio album by American blues 

and soul artist Etta James. Released on Argo Records

 in November 1960, the album was

 produced by Phil and Leonard Chess

Released in 1960, At Last! is one of the most 

influential soul and blues albums ever recorded. Performed 

by legendary artist Etta James, the album blends R&B, jazz, 

blues, and soul into a timeless masterpiece.

The album is best known for its iconic title track “At Last”, 

which has become a cultural symbol of romance and emotional depth.

credits:

    Etta James – vocals

    Harvey Fuqua – vocals

    Riley Hampton – arranger, conductor

    Arranged By, Conductor – Riley Hampton

    Orchestra – Riley Hampton Orchestra

    Producer – Leonard Chess, Phil Chess

All tracks recorded in Chicago. Recording dates:

1960 - January, Chicago: A5. B3, B5.

May, Chicago: A2, B1.

September, Chicago: A1.

October, Chicago: A3, A4, B2, B4.

tracklist:

A1 Anything To Say You're Mine

Written-By – S. Thompson*

A2 My Dearest Darling

Written-By – E. Bocage*, P. Gayten*

A3 Trust In Me

Written-By – Schwartz*, Ager*, Wever*

A4 Sunday Kind Of Love

Written-By – Leonard*, Belle*, Prima*, Rhodes*

A5 Tough Mary

Written-By – C. Uto

B1 I Just Want To Make Love To You

Written-By – W. Dixon*

B2 At Last

Written-By – Warren*, Gordon*

B3 All I Could Do Was Cry

Written-By – B. Davis*

B4 Stormy Weather

Written-By – Arlen*, Koehler*

B5 Girl Of My Dreams (Rendered As Boy Of My Dreams)

Written-By – Charles Clapp

link

Etta & Harvey – Spoonful / It’s a Crying Shame 1960

 

Etta & Harvey – Spoonful / It’s a Crying Shame 1960s Soul Classic Review & History

Chess ‎Records 1960 – single 1771

notes:

“Spoonful” by Etta James and Harvey Fuqua stands as a 

powerful fusion of blues and soul, showcasing the raw 

vocal chemistry between two legendary performers. 

Originally rooted in blues traditions popularized by 

Willie Dixon, this version transforms the track into a 

deeply emotional duet. On the flip side, “It’s a Crying Shame” 

delivers a heartfelt performance that highlights 

the expressive depth of classic 1960s R&B.

credits:

Etta James, duet with Harvey Fuqua.

Arranged By, Conductor – Riley Hampton

Session Musicians (Probable Lineup)

Phil Upchurch – guitar

Louis Satterfield – bass

Morris Jennings – drums

Isaac 'Redd' Holt – drums (alternate sessions)

Sonny Thompson – piano / musical direction

Recorded in Chicago around September 1960, “Spoonful” 

and its B-side “It’s a Crying Shame” were issued on 

Chess Records (catalog number 1771).

Chess Studios, Chicago

tracklist:

A Spoonful

Written-By – W. Dixon*

B It's A Crying Shame

Written-By – James*, Fuqua*

link

Etta James , Songs & Legacy

Etta James Biography, Songs & Legacy (At Last Singer Guide)

Argo Records ‎1960/62 – LPS-4013

notes:

Etta James is the self-titled third studio album by American blues artist, 

Etta James. The album was released on Argo Records in 1962

 and was produced by Ralph Bass. 

The legendary Etta James remains one of the most powerful voices 

in blues, soul, and R&B history. Among her early releases, 

Argo Records ‎– LPS-4013 stands out as a highly collectible vinyl 

that captures her raw, emotional depth.

Released under Argo Records, this album showcases the signature 

blend of gospel, blues, and jazz that defined her early career.

This pressing reflects the golden era of analog recording, 

where Etta’s vocals were front and center—unfiltered and deeply 

expressive. Collectors and audiophiles value this record for both 

its sound quality and historical significance.

credits:

    Etta James - lead vocals

    The Riley Hampton Orchestra

    Riley Hampton - arranger, conductor

    Harvey Fuqua - duet vocals on "If I Can't Have You" and "Spoonful"

Phil Upchurch – guitar 

   Louis Satterfield – bass 

   Gene Barge – saxophone and arrangements

Released May 5, 1962

Recorded 1960-62

Studio Chess Studios, Chicago, Illinois

Ron Malo - engineer

Producer

Leonard Chess

Phil Chess

tracklist:

A1 Waiting For Charlie To Come Home

Written-By – Hilliard*, Bacharach*

A2 Guess Again

Written-By – Schroeder*, Glazer*, Gold*

A3 A Lover's Mourn

Written By – Reese

A4 You Can Count On Me

Written By – Singleton

A5 If I Can't Have You

Written-By – James*, Fuqua*

B1 Something's Got A Hold On Me

Written-By – James*, Kirkland*, Woods*

B2 My Dear

Written By – Reese

B3 Nobody But You

Written-By – W. Dixon*

B4 Let Me Know

Written-By – Gordy*, Davis*

B5 Spoonful

Written-By – W. Dixon*

link

 

 

Johnny Guitar Watson – Baby Don't Leave Ain't Gonna Move 1966

Johnny Guitar Watson – Baby Don’t Leave / Ain’t Gonna Move (Blues Classic Review & Audio)

Jowat Records 1966 ‎– 118

notes:

“Baby Don't Leave” by Johnny Guitar Watson is a standout 

track that blends blues, soul, and early funk. Known for his

 smooth guitar style and expressive vocals, Watson delivers

 a timeless performance that still resonates today.

If you’re a fan of raw blues energy mixed with early 

rhythm and blues, this track from Johnny Guitar 

Watson is essential listening.

“Baby Don’t Leave” backed with “Ain’t Gonna Move” 

captures Watson’s signature guitar style—sharp, expressive, 

and ahead of its time. Long before funk and soul fully emerged,

 Watson was already shaping the sound.

Jowat is 1960s soul label from Los Angeles, California, 

owned by Johnny Guitar Watson.

tracklist:

A Baby Don't Leave 2:35

Watson, Walker

B Ain't Gonna Move 2:15

Johnny Watson

link