Todays offering is a lesser known cut from soul diva Betty Everett. I first heard this played by Dale, early doors at The Riley Smith Hall, Tadcaster. Jo Wallace and I had spun some tunes at the earlier warm up and were sitting on the balcony having a listen when this one made us sit up and applaud. Dale told us later what it was and despite Jo telling him we’d both got it – Oh no we hadn’t!
Betty’s backing singers tell us “She can work a miracle, she can do the impossible” and then Betty tells us in no uncertain terms that she cares so much there’s nothing she wouldn’t do for her man.
Click here to listen
Lyrically, this is really good; the first break comes with “I’ll work 8 days a week, work 99 years and still be yours; draw my old age pension at 21!” – she certainly is serious! Later the lyrics highlight the obsession of the time with the space race; “I’ll make the sun shine every night, fill your days with moonlight, we can take a ride to the stars, spend our vacation on Jupiter and Mars!“
A nice mid tempo dancer with tinge of R&B this one is definitely worth seeking out. To me it sounds like a late 50′s to early 60′s sound when R&B merged with Doo-Wop before going to Soul but it was actually released in 1966. Perhaps it was recorded earlier as it is the b-side to the more commercial and typical of the mid-sixties “In Your Arms”.
If your looking for it “In Your Arms” is the side to search for as that is what it gets listed under in the States. Pricewise; JM books it at £75; that seems a tad high though unfortunately US dealers who have bought his guide believe it. I paid $45 for my Ex demo (in company sleeve for those that appreciate them) and they come up regularly on eBay.
Hope you like it and best of luck finding one.
Betty Everett on eBay:
BETTY EVERETT – YOUR LOVING ARMS..U.S C & J
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US $15.80 End Date: Tuesday Feb-28-2012 3:32:41 PST Buy It Now for only: US $15.80 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Betty Everett 45 “Happy I Long To Be /Your Loving Arms”
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US $6.74 End Date: Thursday Mar-01-2012 5:24:48 PST Buy It Now for only: US $6.74 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Oh yes I did have a copy….but you didn’t
I’d had a copy for about 2 years and Dale was a bit surprised that I knew it. I have Alan Handscombe to thank for putting me onto this one. Like Paul says ‘good luck’ if you’re trying to track one down. It’s creeping up in price and grab one while you can. I’m off to play my lovely issue – toodle pip. Jo x
Oops! I’m wrong again! I thought we’d got it confused with another but that was just me. Cheers Jo, good to hear from you.
Paul