Ronny Douglas & Bobby Lonero [1971] - Baby, Take My Hand [Columbia #4-45504]

A marvelous piece of crossover soul 'Baby, Take My Hand' flipped with another crossover tune 'Mary's Party' from Douglas & Lonero is being reissued by Global Soul on 26 Mar 2021. 

It may seem a long way off yet but these limited edition vinyl presses often sell out via pre-order so if you want one the I'd advise pre-ordering at Global Soul, otherwise play the lottery to buy a re-sale one on Discogs!

Ronny Douglas and Bobby (Robert Joseph) Lonero got together in 1971 and released 2 singles on Columbia in 1971 & 1972 and their last on RCA in 1975. They also released a live album in 1973 'Live At Charlie Brown's' on Haji (an independent Hollywood label) which was predominantly cover versions.

Ronny Douglas released a few of solo singles in the 60s/70s on various labels.

Bobby Lonero also released a handful of singles in the late 50s/early 60s and was a member of The Prime Ministers who released  'I Don’t Know No More' / 'Make Up' on RCA Victor in 1967 - A side is a skippy' Chicago style Impressions sound-a-like tune and B side is sort of mid-tempo soul harmony / crossover. 

The Prime Ministers were: Ronnie Barron (lead vocal, piano),  Fred Staehle (drums), Jerry Jumonville (saxophone), Wayne DeVilliere (organ), Bobby Lonero (guitar) and Eddie Zip (bass, saxophone).

Discography

Singles

1971 - Mary's Party / Baby, Take My Hand [Columbia #4-45504]

1972 - Jubilation (Excitation) / This World [Columbia #4-45594]

1975 - Don't Let Yourself Get Carried Away / This Time [RCA #PB-10347]

Two good crossover tunes

Albums

1973 - Live At Charley Brown's (featuring Chico Hernandez) [Haji Sound Recorders]

A1 - Sing A Song

A2 - Right Place, Wrong Time (Dr. John)

A3 - Georgia

A4 - Caravan

A5 - Oldies But Goodies (Little Caesar And The Romans)

A6 - Earth Angel (The Penguins)

A7 - Darling You Send Me (Sam Cooke)

A8 - Sixteen Candles (The Crests)

A9 - Tears On My Pillow (Little Anthony & The Imperials)

A10 - Baby Talk (Jan & Dean)

A11 - Bo Diddley (Bo Diddley)

A12 - Lordy Lord (Fats Domino)

A13 - Long Tall Sally (Little Richard)

B1 - Deeper and Deeper (Barry White)

B2 - Papa Was A Rolling Stone (Temptations)

B3 - What's Going On (Marvin Gaye)

B4 - Mercy Mercy Me (Marvin Gaye)

B5 - Love Train (The O'Jays)