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| Ace/Kent's new Happy Times compiltation – out October 30 – offers a second helping of Penn/Oldham song interpretations. |
Here's the scoop...
Another two-dozen stellar collaborations by these magnificent songwriters performed by artists from the worlds of soul, pop and country music, including numerous overlooked gems making their CD debut.
The success of Sweet Inspiration (CDCHD 1284) collection has warranted a second dip into the songwriting catalogue of Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham. Happy Times delivers another two-dozen stellar collaborations and goes even deeper into their sheaf of copyrights than the previous volume.
Happy Times features tracks from Penn and Oldham's time working together in Muscle Shoals and Memphis, with a broad spread of repertoire that embraces deep soul, southern pop, sweet soul and country. Star names include Dan’s pet project the Box Tops in addition to Wilson Pickett, Ronnie Milsap, Bobby Womack, B.J. Thomas, Dee Dee Sharp, Bobby Bare, Percy Sledge, and many others whose careers intersected in the 60s with those of Dan and Spooner.
The collection is capped with a real rarity – a quiet, reflective instrumental in waltz time featuring Spooner on piano. Recorded at FAME in 1966 and leased to Chess as the flipside to the groovy ‘Two In The Morning,’ the tape box for both tunes credits the artist as the Len Spoon Trio, although that had become Spooner’s Crowd by the time the record was issued. Every soul fan worth their salt will know ‘Two In The Morning’ but ‘I’ll Be Your Baby’ has never been reissued in 54 years. It provides an unusual and delightful closer.
Most of the recordings featured here haven't been on any previous Ace CD. Many have never been on CD at all. With a booklet chock-full of information and illustrations, and the usual Ace attention to detail in the annotation, “Happy Times” is another salute to the words and music of these magnificent songwriters.
Get a CD copy of Happy Times directly from Ace/Kent right here. Listen to "Happy Times" by The Box Tops, "Cheaters Never Win" by Tony Borders, "You Really Know How To Hurt A Guy" by Arthur Conley and "Destroyed" by The Yo-Yo's below.
Happy Times – The Songs of Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham, Volume 2
01 I Do - June Conquest
02 Cheaters Never Win - Tony Borders
03 Happy Times - The Box Tops
04 Up Tight Good Woman - Wilson Pickett
05 Hey Mister - Sandy Posey
06 Strangest Feeling - Bill Brandon
07 Destroyed - The Yo Yo's
08 You Really Know How To Hurt A Guy - Arthur Conley
09 Big Louie - Guy Darrell
10 The Power Of Love - Don Varner
11 I Need A Lot Of Loving - The Ovations
12 In The Same Old Way - Bobby Bare
13 Handy - Merrilee Rush
14 Broadway Walk - Bobby Womack
15 My Man (My Sweet Man) - June Edwards
16 Hello There - James & Bobby Purify
17 Help Me Find My Groove - Dee Dee Sharp
18 I Love Everything About You - Percy Sledge
19 Goodies - The Goodees
20 Everybody's Got To Cry Sometime - Art Freeman
21 I''ll Take Care Of You - Jeanie Greene
22 I Pray For Rain - B.J. Thomas
23 Blue Skies Of Montana - Ronnie Milsap
24 I'll Be Your Baby - Spooner's Crowd
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