Jeannie Reynolds - Discography

A discography of a tragic artist who took her own, and her 2 children's lives in 1980. Shirley Jean Reynolds was the younger sister of L.J. (Larry James) Reynolds (The Dramatics). She recorded her first 45 in 1969/70 on Mainstream in a recording session with her brother. 

Jeannie Reynolds is probably best known for her album 'Cherries, Bananas & Other Fine Things' which was released on Casablanca in 1976 which spawned 'The Fruit Song'.  One of her finest recordings 'I Don't Want To Be Second Best' came from her follow-up album 'One Wish' in 1977 from which there were no 45 releases.

She released only 9/10 45s, 6/7 as Jeannie Reynolds (Chess, Cadet Concept and 4 on Casablanca) and 3 earlier ones under the names Jeany Reynolds (Mainstream), Jeannie Reynolds & The Re-Letts (Washington), and Shirley Jean & The Relations (People).   Two of the Casablanca 45s were released before she recorded her first album and none of the 4 tracks appear on either Casablanca album.

Discography

Jeany Reynolds

1970 -  Please Don't Set Me Free / Down On Me [Mainstream 718]

Jeannie Reynolds & The Re-Leets

1971 -  Don't Mess Around / People Make The World [Washington 1001]

Shirley Jean & The Relations 

1971 - People Make The World A Better Place /If I Had A Man Like You [People PE 601A]

Jeanie Reynolds

1974 - I Know He'll Be Back Someday / You Ain't The Only Man (God Created) [Chess CH 2150]

1974 - Without Your Love (I'm Nothing But A Drop Of Water In The Ocean) /Same [Cadet Concept]

1975 - The Phones Been Jumping All Day / Unwanted Company [Casablanca NB 834]

1975 - Lay Some Lovin' On Me / Love Don't Come Easy For Me Now [Casablanca NB 846]

1976 - Hit And Run / I've Still Got My Pride [Casablanca NB 866]

1976 - Hit And Run / The Fruit Song [Casablanca NB 876]

1978 - I'm Hooked On You / ? [Casablanca NB 911]

NB Soulfulkindamusic lists I'm Hooked On You as being released in 1978 on Casablanca 911 but I have not found it listed or for sale anywhere - could it have been withdrawn?

Jeannie Reynolds & The Re-Leets [1971] -  Don't Mess Around [Washington 1001]

A double helping of deep soul. Jeanie Reynolds was only 16  (born 1954) when she cut this single and the Re-Leets were two young girls 10 and 12. This track was written by her and is the only release on Washington records from Detroit.  Arranged by Fiery Bursey and produced by Ben Washington, presumably the label owner.

Recorded at Gold Soul studio (formerly Terra Firma) with John Glover (piano), two of The Funk Brothers (Bob Babbitt (bass) Johnny Griffith (hammond)), George McGregor (drums), Bill Smith (guitar), Horns (?).  Chuck Overton was Ben Washington's producer.  Master was cut at Danny Dallas' Sound Patterns studio.  Credit to Ron Murphy (who was the sound engineer on 45) from Soulful Detroit forum.

Jeannie Reynolds & The Re-Leets [1971] -  People Make The World [Washington 1001]

Jeany Reynolds [1970] -  Please Don't Set Me Free [Mainstream 718]

Flip side is a funky number Down On Me

Jeany Reynolds [1970] -  Down On Me [Mainstream 718]

Funky Northern Soul

This is a cover of a traditional freedom song from 1920s recorded by Big Brother & The The Holding Company featuring Janis Joplin in 1967 also on Mainstream. Janis Joplin got arranger credits on BB&THC 45 and curiously and incorrectly Janis Joplin was given writer credit on JR version. The flip side of BB&THC is 'Call On Me' which was also released on Mainstream 717 by L.J. Reynolds at the same session when Jeannie cut Down On Me and they have consecutive Cat. No.s.

Shirley Jean & The Relations [1971] - People Make The World A Better Place [People PE 601A]

I'm a little confused with this one as the group is called Shirley Jean & The Relations and I'm not entirely sure whether Jean refers to Jeannie Reynolds or it is Shirley (Jean) Womack (wife of Friendly Womack - Bobby's brother) credited as Shirley Jean? This side was written by Jeannie Reynolds credited as Jean Reynolds and, to make things even more confusing, this is the same song as was recorded on Washington where it was credited to R. Jackson.

I believe that L.J. Reynolds was one of the Relations.

Also recorded by Lyn Collins on People PE 626 in 1973.

Shirley Jean & The Relations [1971] - If I Had A Man Like You [People PE 601B]

A funky / bluesy track

Jeanie Reynolds [1974] - I Know He'll Be Back Someday [Chess CH 2150]

A southern soul style mid-tempo tune

Jeanie Reynolds [1974] - You Ain't The Only Man (God Created) [Chess CH 2150]

Mid-paced southern style Northern Soul / Crossover beater.

Jeannie Reynolds [1974] - Without Your Love (I'm Nothing But A Drop Of Water In The Ocean) [Cadet Concept]

Here's an obscure one that I don't think ever got a release and is only available on same-sided (Mono/Stereo) promo.  It's not even listed on Discogs only 45Cat. A nice deep soul cut.

It wasn't on YouTube so I've uploaded it to my channel (SoulStrutter)

Jeannie Reynolds [1975] - The Phones Been Jumping All Day [Casablanca NB 834]

This was her biggest hit reaching #10 US R&B, which is a sad reflection on her work as there were many other much better tracks she released, as for me, as this is a fairly average.  In fact the flip is far superior.

Jeannie Reynolds [1975] - Unwanted Company [Casablanca NB 834]

Modern Soul stepper
Should have been the A side as far superior track that stands the test of time.

Jeannie Reynolds [1975] - Lay Some Lovin' On Me [Casablanca NB 846]

Southern Soul - this track 'annoyingly' reminds me of someone else which I can't place. Ann Peebles / Betty Swann perhaps?  Got it ...  Margie Joseph recorded a track called Come Lay Some Loving On Me in 1973 ... but a different song!

Jeannie Reynolds [1975] - Love Don't Come Easy For Me Now [Casablanca NB 846]

Southern Soul style ballad.

Jeannie Reynolds [1976] - Hit And Run [Casablanca NB 866]

70s Modern Soul

Jeannie Reynolds [1976] - I've Still Got My Pride [Casablanca NB 866]

Funky dancer

Jeannie Reynolds [1976] - Hit And Run [Casablanca NB 870]

As above

Jeannie Reynolds [1976] - The Fruit Song [Casablanca NB 870]

Casablanca realised their error and released an edit (4:14) of The Fruit Song ... but only as the flip side!

Written by Fred Bridges and Lawrence Payton (Four Tops).

I'm not able to find the 45 version so have posted the full length 7:07 album version.

Jeannie Reynolds [1978] - I'm Hooked On You [Casablanca NB 911]

This is alleged to have been released on Casablanca 911 in 1978 but as yet I have found no trace of the 45.

Album ONLY Tracks

1976 - Cherries, Bananas & Other Fine Things [Casablanca NBLP 7029]

Track List (with links)

The Fruit Song (see above)

Hit And Run (see above)

Unyielding - funky modern soul

The Feelin' Ain't There - mellow modern soul ballad/stepper

I've Still Got My Pride (see above)

You Want To Get Your Hands On A Woman - southern soul style ballad

Look What Love Has Done To Me Ma - quality deep soul ballad

I'm Lonely - another quality deep soul ballad

I Come Here To Party - funky soul dancer

1977 - I Wish [Casablanca NBLP 7075]

Three tracks co-written with her brother Larry (L.J.), and L.J. wrote another 4 of the tracks.

Track List (with links)

Come My Way - mid-tempo funky soul dancer

Be Someone - very funky / soul sister style tune

I Know I'll Always Be In Love With You - reminds me of Natalie Cole on this track.

I'm Hooked On You - superb mellow deep soul stepper written by L.J. Reynolds.

Sexy Man - funky, southern soul style dancer in the Betty Wright mould.

I Don't Want To Be Second Best - superb 70s Modern Soul stepper

Don't Make A Fool Of Me - nice 70s modern soul dancer

Guide Me Well - deep soul with a gospel feel

I Don't Want To Be Second Best

Standout track from I Wish well known in Modern Soul circles.