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.
| 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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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.
ReplyDeleteYves