"Slow 'n' Moody Black & Bluesy" (Modern/Kent 1965-1971)

Kent Records’ history with deep, southern and bluesy ballads dates back to 1983 when we issued our third vinyl LP “Slow’n’Moody, Black & Bluesy” on Kent 003. That fine collection of US Kent and Modern label 45s was re-vamped for CD in 1994, but that was deleted four years ago due to legal wrangles over one of the tracks, so there’s been an even longer wait for this CD update......Every cloud does seem to have a silver disc lining. We have jumped at this opportunity to enhance the sound while expanding the repertoire. Sound reproduction techniques have come on appreciably in the last 15 years and we have found some new tapes that weren’t available before, occasionally with a few extra bars, usually on the fade-outs. We are also now able to give the great Kent public a previously unheard version of Van McCoy’s ‘Sweet Bitter Love’ by the little-known but exceptionally talented Millie Foster, Ruth Davis’ churchy take on the Jim Webb ballad ‘The Smartest Fool’, a big band blues number from master of that genre Ernie Andrews, a weeping blues ballad from the inspired Larry Davis and even a plain and simple love song from Larry Sanders.

That’s to add to goodies like the previously unissued gems which have only ever appeared on the first incarnation of the now deleted CD: Jimmy Holiday’s ‘Everybody Needs Somebody’, Joe Houston’s Crescent City-recorded ‘The Last One To Know’ and Kent favourite Willie Gauff & the Love Brothers with their oh so bleak ‘Farewell’. 

Further research has revealed some interesting facts about Mary Love’s ‘Baby I’ll Come’ single and the differences between Jimmy Holiday’s Diplomacy and Kent 45s. Favourite down-tempo Kent/Modern staples like Tami Young’s ‘I Don’t Want To Lose You’, Tommy Youngblood’s ‘Why Should I Be The One’ and Jackie Day’s tour de force ‘If I’d Lose You’ still sound fresh and more than worthy of a turntable revival, while songs like Terry & the Tyrants’ ‘Weep No More’, Jimmy Robins’ ‘It’s Real’ and Willie Gauff’s issued Kent 45 ‘Whenever I Can’t Sleep’ will satisfy the most tortured soul. 

trax:

1. Nothing Can Change This Love - Z.Z. Hill 2. You Messed Up My Mind - Clay Hammond 3. Directly From My Heart - Little Richard 4. I Can't Stand It - Jimmy Holliday 5. Weep No More - Terry & The Tyrants 6. It's Real (Part 1) - Jimmy Robbins 7. Darling I'm Standing By You - Jeanette Jones 8. If I'd Lose You - Jackie Day 9. Let's Get Together - Arthur & Mary 10. Can't Count The Days - Jeb Stuart 11. Whenever I Can't Sleep - Willie Gauff & The Love Brothers 12. The Last One To Know - Joe Haywood 13. Mr President - Angels Of Joy 14. A Woman Needs A Man - Yvonne Baker 15. I Don't Wanna Lose You - Tami Young 16. Baby I'll Come - Mary Love 17. Everybody Needs Somebody - Jimmy Holliday 18. Baby Come To Me - Little Henry & The Shamsocks 19. Farewell - Willie Gauff & The Love Brothers 20. Why Should I Be The One - Timmy Youngblood 21. Every Dog's Got His Day - Johnny Copeland 22. I'll Come Back To You - The Mighty Hannibal 23. Consider Yourself - Stacy Johnson 24. Ain't Nobody's Business - B.B. King

…served by Gyro1966...