Freddy North's finest hour? Beat ballad heaven from 1968, a cover of Big Maybelle's 1964 release on Scepter. Penned by Luther Dixon and Burt Keyes.
I know of 5 other versions, one previously unreleased until this year (2020) by Jerry Williams (believed to have been recorded in 1967), Big Maybelle (the original? from 1964), Dionne Warwick (also 1964 album only), Brenda & The Tabulations (1967 album only) an Leslie Uggams (1972 album only)
A previously unreleased version (on vinyl - I believe it did come out on Telling It Like It Is compilation CD) by Jerry (Swamp Dogg) Williams Jr was issued by Soul 4 Real in Sep 2020. According to Soul 4 Real notes by Tony Rounce it was originally recorded in 1967 as a follow up to Baby You're My Everything but never released. However, 'Baby' was released in 1965 - so I wonder if it was actually recorded in 1965?
Big Maybelle [1964] - Oh Lord, What Are You Doing To Me [Scepter #1779]
Dionne Warwick [1964] - Oh Lord, What Are You Doing To Me [Scepter #SRM-517]
So, who did it first Big Maybelle or Dionne Warwick? Both released on Scepter in 1964. Given that Dionne's is album only (Anyone Who Had A Heart), I'd plump for Big Maybelle being first.
Released on Dry Your Eyes album (only) in 1967.
Leslie Uggams [1972] - Oh Lord, What Are You Doing To Me [Sonday #SL 8000]
A slightly MOR version by Leslie Uggams (who was essentially a show type singer) from her 1972 album 'Try To See It My Way' on Sonday - the same label that she had her Northern Soul biggie Love Is A Good Foundation which is also on the album (side 1 track 1).
NOTE: The link to 'Love Is' has some great rare live footage of her singing this track on a US TV show (Is has 'Reeling' In The Years' emblazoned across the screen, so I guess that must be the name of the show?) ... and an added bonus I found a clip of Dionne Warwick singing it live which i never knew existed!
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