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Wednesday 3 May 2023

Delores Hall [2023] - Hall-Mark!! [RCA] (Full Album)


Appearing on digital platforms on Friday was a reissue of possibly a little known 1973 debut album "Hall-Mark!!" by Delores Hall. It's not a rare record and you may be able to pick up an original vinyl copy for less than a digital copy.

What makes it significant is that one Luther Vandross (spelt Van Dross on the credits) featured on backing vocals on "Who´s Gonna Make It Easier For Me" which is believed to be his first recording.

Most of the songs were written by Billy Jackson who wrote for The Tymes and she recorded the original version of The Tymes "Sha-La Bandit" (Trustmaker" 1974) which was also recorded by Sandra Wright ("Wounded Woman" 1974) and Aretha Franklin ("You" 1975). She also does a nice, more uptempo, take on the Bacharach & David classic "A House Is Not A Home

Hall made her name on stage in the musical Hair and progressed to TV and film. She recorded one further album, a self-titled one in 1979. Prior to her debt album she recorded a couple of singles on L.A. labels revered by Northern Soul aficionados, Mirwood (with Jackie Lee) and Keymen in the mid 60s.

Whilst it borders MOR territory in places, it's a very good album and Ms Hall certainly had a great voice. A few of our choice cuts / recommendations would include the dramatic 'ender' "The Sound Of The Drums" (which builds and builds with an incredible vocal performance), her rendition of "A House Is Not A Home" and "Where Do We Go From Here".

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Details
Rating: 8.6
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: 70s Soul
Format: Album
Media: Digital Reiussue
Label: RCA
Cat No: APL1-0204
Date: 28/04/2023 / 1973
Price: £7.99
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1 comment:

USMAN47 said...

This is an interesting but little known singer. Small discography but his 2 LPs are good, as well as his first 2 singles on Mirwood and Keymen. Thanks for the little story about Luther Vandross.

Yves