Robbie Montgomery [2021] - Ain’t My Stuff Good Enough [MRM]

Robbie Montgomery is possibly a name not well known, but she was a backing singer for Ike & Tina Turner in the early 60s, having sung with several groups beforehand (Chordettes, Rhythmettes, Artettes). 

She became one of the original Ikettes, who then became The Mirettes (named after their label Mirwood) who also recorded the song (a popular Northern Soul tune) on Zea in 1970. This is an alternate, slower version, written by her and Shirley (Sherlie) Matthews (The Belles, The Blackberries and writer for many Mirwood artists) who also wrote the Mirettes song.

The song was also recorded by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas but was unreleased until a 2005 Martha Reeves & The Vandellas compilation "Spellbound Motown Lost & Found 1962-1972" on Hip-O-Select on which writing credits are 'curiously' attributed to 'The Corporation' rather than Shirley Matthews!

Montgomery left The Mirettes to become a member of Dr. John's backing group the Nightrippers. She has sung background vocals on records for several superstars including The Rolling Stones, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Barbara Streisand, Van Morrison, Joe Cocker, Bryan Ferry and Burt Bacharach and many more on tours such as Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Quincy Jones, Patti LaBelle, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Pink Floyd and many others.

The only release credited to her on Discogs is "Crazy In Love" billed as Robbie Montgomery & The Ike-ettes from 1962 (on Teena) which is very similar to "Fool In Love" recorded two years earlier by Ike & Tina Turner on Sue, which was their first recording (a #2 R&B and Top 30 (#27) hit) on which The Arlettes (which included Robbie Montgomery) were the backing singers. 

She contracted sarcoidosis in the 70s and required lung surgery which curtailed her singing career. 

In 1996 she created a soul food franchise "Sweetie Pies" in St. Louis and starred in an award winning reality TV series "Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s" aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network which ran for 9 series between 2011-18.

At the age of 78 in 2018, 40 years since last recording, she recorded her debut album "Miss Robbie's What They Call Me".

I can't find "Ain’t My Stuff Good Enough" available on any of the DSP's as yet but the video was posted on 7 Jun 2021.

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Details

Rating:	7.2
Genre/Style:	Classic Soul / Cover Version
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released (MRM)
Cat No:	None
Year:	2021
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£1