Jim Gilstrap celebrates his 76th birthday today. He rose
to fame with his 1975 UK #4 hit "Swing Your Daddy". His second single on Bell in 1974 "Run Run Run", which he co-wrote with Jerry Fuller, is pretty scarce (it's not
listed on Discogs and there are no originals listed on Popsike only UK
reissues) and has been an in-demand item on the Northern Soul scene. It
was reissued on 7" vinyl by Soul Brother in 2001, billed as Side Effect Feat. Jim
Gilstrap, but this is a different version. It featured on their debut
album "Effective" which was a Canadian issue only and produced by Gilstrap who was also
a member of the group. The album was reissued by Soul Brother on CD and
vinyl in 2001.
Gilstrap was a member of an easy listening group
The Doodletown Pipers from 1968 who appeared on many TV shows where,
presumably, he met Augie Johnson who was also a member and went on to
form Side Effect.
He became a member of Stevie Wonder's backing group
Wonderlove and appeared on "Music Of My Mind", "Talking Book" (his is the first voice you hear on "You Are the Sunshine of My Life"), "Innervisions" "Fulfillingness' First Finale" and is credited for one song on "Songs In The Key Of Life".
Due to the success of "Swing Your Daddy" he released an album with the same title which spawned another two
singles, "House Of Strangers" and a cover on 5000 Volts' "I'm On Fire" followed by his second and final album "Love Talk" which wasn't a commercial success (and consisted of only four tracks but is a good album included below).
He then focused on session work and
is one of the most prolific session singers in the business with over
500 credits on Discogs having sung with dozens of big soul artists
including Aaron Neville, Al Jarreau, Angela Bofil, Anita Baker,
Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Bill Withers, Brothers Johnson, Candi Staton (incl. Young Hearts Run Free), Dionne Warwick, Donald Byrd, George Benson, George Duke, Gladys Knight, Jean Carn, Leon Haywood,
Luther Vandross, Martha Reeves, Michael Jackson (incl Off The Wall), Minnie Riperton, Nancy
Wilson, Norman Connors, Patrice Rushen, Patti Austin, Peabo
Bryson, Martha Reeves, Nancy Wilson, Phyllis Hyman, Quincy Jones, Ray
Charles, Roy Ayers, Stevie Wonder, Syreeta, Teddy Pendergrass, The
Jacksons, Thelma Houston as well as pop artists Whitney Houston, Barbara
Streisand, Celine Dion, Elkie Brooks, Elton John, Neil Diamond and many
more.
I came across an excellent interview which gives a lot of background information on his career which is well worth a listen if you can afford the time as it spans 2 videos and almost 2 hours but he talks about the incredible number of people he has worked with. Part 1 Part 2.
Album Discography
1975 - Swing Your Daddy
1976 - Love Talk
Singles Discography
1974 - Airport
1975 - When You Come Back Down / Run, Run, Run
1975 - Swing Your Daddy/ Swing Your Daddy Part II
1975 - House Of Strangers / Take Your Daddy For A Ride
1975 - I'm On Fire / I'm On Fire, Pt.II
1976 - Move Me / Move Me, Pt.2
1976 - Never Stop Your Loving Me (Never Stop)
1976 - Love Talk
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2 comments:
Excellent singer not very prolific but involved behind a large number of stars. Very interesting chronicle. Note that his second LP is under his real name James Gilstrap.
Yves
Here is just for fans and everybody else.. https://youtu.be/bnkW2CqhdG4
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