Vivian Copeland was a young singer who was introduced to Richard & Robert Poindexter (The Poindexter Brothers) by her husband. Six of the 10 songs (5 45s) she recorded were Poindexter compositions. Her first 45 (2 Poindexter songs) was issued on Mala in 1967, followed by 3 45s on Jeff Moore's D'Oro label in 1969. Her final 45 was release on Tri-Spi in 1974.
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| Richard & Robert Poindexter |
The Poindexters were involved with The Internationals who had only 2 45 releases, Give A Damn / Push Button Love and Too Sweet To Be Lonely / Beautiful Philosophy, both on another Jeff Moore label D'Ar. Too Sweet To Be Lonely was also released by Ray Lewis on both D'Oro and D'Ar in 1969. Ray Lewis recorded a song he co-wrote with the Poindexters (on Fairmount label) also done by the great Linda Jones (Loma) - Give My Love A Try. 45Cat lists Lewis's version as Sep 1966 and Linda Jones' as Dec 1967 so it would appear that Lewis's was the original version.
Another 'version' of Give My Love Try (which may well be the original) was recorded by George Scott as Let The Past Be The Past on his rare 'Find Someone To Love' album in 1966 on Maple credited to Eddie Lewis, Marion Farmer & James Lewis (writers of Sam Williams/Ohio Players - Love Slipped Through My Fingers). Jimi Hendrix played on the album. Lonnie Youngblood also played with Hendrix. Some more info on album on Colin Dinot's InDangerousRhythms.
The Internationals later merged with The Majestics and became The Persuaders who had a hit with the Poindexter written (with Robert's wife Jackie Members) 'Thin Line Between Love & Hate' on Atco.
The Poindexters also wrote the hits for Linda Jones - Hypnotized and The O'Jays' - I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow.
I can find no further info on Vivian Copeland but wonder if this Detroit obituary is for her, although no mention of singing and she would appear to have been a spinster as no mention of husband or children so perhaps not?
Another 'version' of Give My Love Try (which may well be the original) was recorded by George Scott as Let The Past Be The Past on his rare 'Find Someone To Love' album in 1966 on Maple credited to Eddie Lewis, Marion Farmer & James Lewis (writers of Sam Williams/Ohio Players - Love Slipped Through My Fingers). Jimi Hendrix played on the album. Lonnie Youngblood also played with Hendrix. Some more info on album on Colin Dinot's InDangerousRhythms.
The Internationals later merged with The Majestics and became The Persuaders who had a hit with the Poindexter written (with Robert's wife Jackie Members) 'Thin Line Between Love & Hate' on Atco.
The Poindexters also wrote the hits for Linda Jones - Hypnotized and The O'Jays' - I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow.
I can find no further info on Vivian Copeland but wonder if this Detroit obituary is for her, although no mention of singing and she would appear to have been a spinster as no mention of husband or children so perhaps not?
Discography
1967 - So Nice, I Had To Kiss You Twice / I Don't Care What He's Done (In The Past) [Mala 577]
1969 - Chaos (In My Heart) / Cushion The Blow [D'Oro D-1002]
1969 - Oh No Not My Baby / I Don't Care [D'Oro 1006/1007] (NB Cat. No. not on label from runout)
1969 - He Knows My Key (Is Always In The Mailbox) / So Nice, I Had To Kiss You Twice [D'Oro 3500]
1974 - Don't Worry Baby / Too Far Gone To Turn Around [Tri-Spin TS 1007/1008]
Vivian Copeland [1967] - So Nice, I Had To Kiss You Twice (In The Past) [Mala 577]
Deep Soul Ballad
Vivian Copeland [1967] - I Don't Care What He's Done (In The Past) [Mala 577]
Deep soul / crossover
Vivian Copeland [1969] - Chaos (In My Heart) [D'Oro D-1002]
Crossover
Recently (Feb 2020) reissued on UK's Soul Junction
Vivian Copeland [1969] - Cushion The Blow [D'Oro D-1002]
Northern Soul / Crossover
Vivian Copeland [1969] - Oh No Not My Baby [D'Oro 1006]
Upbeat, crossover, version of Maxine Brown's, (Gerald Goffin & Carole King) classic.
Vivian Copeland [1969] - I Don't Care [D'Oro 1007]
Deep Soul / Crossover
Same song as Mala 577 above
Vivian Copeland [1969] - He Knows My Key (Is Always In The Mailbox) [D'Oro 3500]
Crossover track recorded by a couple of others e.g Susan Philips on All Platinum in 1971 and Barbara Jean English on 1973 self-titled Alithia album only but got a 1975 UK release to her NS track Living A Lie on Contempo.
Vivian Copeland [1969] - So Nice, I Had To Kiss You Twice [D'Oro 3500]
Deep Soul Ballad
Same song as Mala 577 above.
Vivian Copeland [1974] - Don't Worry Baby [Tri-Spin TS 1007]
No sound file available but going by the writer, Jerry Coombs', releases I can find, I'd guess it's an early 70s sister funk tune. e.g. Chorley Mae - I Can't Go Through No Changes Anymore and Jerry Coombs Band - I've Been There.
Jerry Coombs featured on many of the Tri-Spin releases as writer, arranger and/ or producer, (most that I've listened to are R&B/funky tunes) so I would guess that perhaps he owned the label?
Vivian Copeland [1974] - Too Far Gone To Turn Around [Tri-Spin TS 1008]
No sound clip available but I'm guessing it might be the same song (both written by Hendricks) as recorded on Blue Horizon by Christine Perfect (maiden name of Christine McVie Fleetwood Mac) in 1970. It came out as 45 and on self-titled debut album.
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