Jo Armstead [1990] - Won't You Join The Band (On My Caravan) [Preacher Rose]

Soul Strutter's Rating: 9.5

As an artist 'Joshie' Jo Armstead started her career as a member of The Ikettes. She went on to release around 20 solo 45s and (not including compilations) a solitary album 'Red Hot' in 2005.  The majority of her 45s were on her own Chicago labels Giant and latterly Preacher Rose.  A couple came out on Stax subsidiary The Gospel Truth in the early 70s and some earlier releases on De-Luxe 1962, Infinity 1963 and Tay-ster 1969.

Between 1964/65, after leaving the Ikettes, she also recorded 4 45s as Deena Johnson (apparently to avoid being found by Ike Turner) on Swa Ray, Wild Deuce and 2 on Simpson.

In 1977 she featured as lead vocalist on 4 tracks on Burt Bacharach's - Futures LP, 2 of which were released on a 45.

There is the transcript of a great interview with her HERE from 2012.

As a composer she has been prolific especially in collaboration with Nick Ashford & Valerie Simpson.  Her songs have been recorded by Carl Carlton, Garland Green, The Crystals, The Apollas, Candy & The Kisses, Maxine Brown, The Shirelles, Ruby Andrews among many others.

The track featured here is from the flip side of her last 45 release on her own Preacher Rose label.  Apparently a limited edition release (but no idea how many copies).

If you've not heard it before, be prepared to be 'blown away'!  This track is 7 minutes of pure deep soul heaven and even though it is 7 minutes long I just want to keep playing it again and again (as fortunate enough to have a copy on the 45 .. and the value is creeping up as more and more get turned on to it!).

Jo Armstead [1990] - Got My Taste (Of The Honey) [Preacher Rose ROSE 1A]

Soul Strutter's Rating: 8.5

On the official A side this modern dancer got plays on the scene.