Chicago gospel & session singer Elsa Harris tells her amazing story

Along with her work with the Jessy Dixon Singers, Elsa Harris also sang backing vocals on Chess/Cadet sessions for Charles Stepney!   

Here's the scoop from Steven Krakow...

The new Secret History of Chicago Music has gone live! (This installment is not in the monthly/new format print issue.) I was blessed to speak with Gospel diva Elsa Harris (thanks to gentleman/scholar Bob Marovich) about her early days doing session work for Chess/Cadet--thus completing my mission to cover the backing vocalists on Minnie Riperton's stone-cold classic Come Into My Garden LP (listen to the magnificent "Les Fleurs" from that album below).

Harris was MUCH more than a session singer though, she also played phenomenal keys, and was part of the foundation of the famed Jessy Dixon Singers (who you've all heard featured on 70s tracks by Paul Simon).

Harris shared unheard tales of sessions with Phil Upchurch (and his python!) and Charles Stepney, and performing at hairy prison events (and blood puddles).

Get the whole divine scoop in the Chicago Reader right here. 

Rare Terry Callier, Laura Lee & Bobby Womack recordings due from Soul4Real

Soul4Real Records is digging into the vaults of Chess and Sam Cooke's SAR labels for a new series of 7" EPs.

Here's the scoop from Spain's Soul4Real HQ...

We're launching the 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢 𝘌𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 series with two EPs dedicated to Sam Cooke’s SAR Records and the Chess label (including its subsidiary, Cadet).

The SAR EP shines a spotlight on the Womack family, initially known as the Womack Brothers before transitioning into R&B as The Valentinos. Three of the four tracks are originally unreleased, while the fourth is the Womack Brothers’ version of “Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray” (SAR 123)—a virtually impossible-to-find gem that predates “Looking For A Love” by a year. Thanks to Friendly Womack for his help on this project.

The Chess/Cadet EP features songs by Laura Lee and Irma Thomas, recorded in the late ’60s at FAME Studios, along with some of the most sophisticated productions from Cadet, represented by Terry Callier. All tracks are originally unreleased and are making their debut on 7” vinyl.

𝗣𝗥𝗘-𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗢𝗪 for June 20th release: https://soul4real.es/shop/

RESERVA ESPECIAL 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗦 / 𝗖𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗧 (S4R47)

Terry Callier - Baby Take Your Time 

Irma Thomas - Let´s Do It Over

Laura Lee - Sure As Sin 

Terry Callier - Lover (Where Have You Gone)

RESERVA ESPECIAL 𝗦𝗔𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗦 (S4R51)

Womack Brothers - Couldn´t Hear Nobody Pray

The Valentinos - Put Me Down Easy

The Valentinos - Rock In The Cradle Of Love 

The Valentinos - Don´t Go Away

B-Side Wins Again: Larry Liggett

In 1954, even the Chess brothers were trying to cash in on the mambo craze as this swinger from Indiana's Larry Liggett shows. 

R.I.P. saxophonist/producer Gene Barge, 1926-2025

Sadly, saxophonist/composer Gene "Daddy G" Barge has passed away at the age of 98. He'll be greatly missed. 

LINKS
Chicago Reader Gene Barge helped shape the sound of Chicago

B-Side Wins Again: Mitty Collier

Mitty Collier's classic "Pain" – penned by Canuck clarinetist Carmen Lombardo (Guy's brother) – was issued by Chess on the flipside of "Let Them Talk" in 1964.  

LINKS

Chicago Reader Pastor Mitty Collier spent the 1960s as one of the great voices in soul music

B-Side Wins Again: Larry Liggett

Indianapolis public school music teacher Larry Liggett cut the cookin' "Junior's Mambo" for Chess back in 1954. Have a listen.