Lillias White [2021] - A Brand New Me / You've Made Me So Very Happy (Get Yourself Some Happy! LP) [Joshua Sherman Productions]

I came across this album on Friday and gave it a cursory skim through attracted mainly by covers of Aretha's "Brand New Me" and Brenda Holloway's "You've Made Me So Very Happy".  The album is titled "Get Yourself Some Happy!" which is the theme of the tracks with a lot of show style tunes such as "Happy Together", "Accentuate The Positive", "Make Someone Happy", "Get Happy", "It's Not Where You Start" etc. ... you get the drift. 

Lillias White is a 70 year old Broadway show singer which becomes evident from her voice and the song choices. So, I gave it a swerve, but then considered that some may like to hear at least the two soul related tracks. Mr. Merry featured both tracks on his latest Soul Sermon show on Sunday, so some obviously like them!

"A Brand New Me" was co-written by Jerry Butler with Gamble & Huff and he recorded it first in 1969. It has been covered by many others including Dusty Springfield, Nancy Wilson, Tamiko Jones and The Intruders before Aretha recorded it in 1971. 

"You've Made Me So Very Happy" was written by Brenda Holloway and her sister Patrice along with Frank Wilson and Berry Gordy and released in 1967. However, it was Blood Sweat & Tears who covered it first and had the hit with it in 1968. Many have since covered it including Edwin Starr & Binky, Chris Clark, The Whispers, Lou Rawls, Nancy Wilson and Smokey & The Miracles.

Details

Rating:	7.2
Genre/Style:	MOR Soul
Format:	Album Tracks
Media:	Digital
Label:	Joshua Sherman Productions
Cat No:	None
Year:	23/07/2021
Value:	£7.99