Wednesday, 5 July 2023

R.I.P. - Vicki Anderson (21 Nov 1939 - 4 Jul 2023)


Vicki Anderson (aka Momie-O), who is probably best remembered and synonymous for her work as one of James Brown's soul sisters, has died aged 83. The sad news was announced by her Goddaughter Margie Randle on her facebook yesterday morning.
Anderson replaced Anna King in James Brown's group in 1965, herself being replaced by Marva Whitney in 1968 only to return in 1969 on Whitney's departure. She left again in 1972 to be replaced by Lyn Collins.

She was born Myra Barnes in Houston, TX, on 21 Nov 1939 and made her first recording in 1964. She married Bobby Byrd who she had a daughter with, Carleen Anderson, who is also a singer who moved to the UK in the 90s and was a member of acid jazz groups such as Young Disciples and The Brand New Heavies.

In her career she recorded just under 30 singles but no albums with none of her singles even charting on the R&B chart which is rather surprising. After 1972 her recording career began to wane but was revived by the UK rare groove scene and she made a few further recordings in the 80s and 90s.

As she recorded no albums there is scant material available on Spotify but we have been through her complete discography and linked to what's available on YouTube (you're welcome!) and include a few live clips of her performing below.

There are three compilations of her music (that we can find):
Hot Pants - I'm Coming, Coming, I'm Coming (1989)
Mother Popcorn (Vicki Anderson Anthology) (2004)
Wide Awake In A Dream (James Brown Productions From The Pre-Funk Years) (2010)

Singles Discography

1964-08 - My Man / I Won't Be Back [Fontana #S-1922]
1965-06 - Nobody Cares / I Love You [Smash #S-1985]
1965-10 - Never, Never Let You Go (Part 1) / Never, Never Let You Go (Part 2) [Fontana #F-1527]
1966-03 - I Can't Let You Go (Part I) / I Can't Let You Go (Part II) [New Breed (James Brown) #NB-1102]
1966-06 - Wide Awake In A Dream / Nobody Cares [DeLuxe #45-6201]
1966-12 - You Send Me / Unchain My Heart [King #45-6066]
1967-?? - I Can't Stop Loving You / I Got A Good Man (And I Know It) [Tuff #420]

Vicki Anderson and James Brown / Vicki Anderson
1967-02 - Think / Nobody Cares [King #45-6091]

1967-11 - Baby, Don't You Know / The Feeling Is Real [King #45-6138]

Vicki Anderson and James Brown / Vicki Anderson

Bobby Byrd And Vicki Anderson
1968-09 - Here Is My Everything / Loving You [ABC #45-11134]

1968-03 - What The World Needs Now Is Love / I'll Work It Out [King #45-6221]
Myra Barnes

Vicki Anderson and James Brown / Vicki Anderson
1970-06 - Let It Be Me / Baby, Don't You Know [King #45-6293]


Myra Barnes

1971-05 - Message From The Soul Sisters Part 1 / Yesterday [King #45-6377]
1971-09 - I'm Too Tough For Mr. Big Stuff (Hot Pants) / Sound Funky [Brownstone #45-4202]
1971-12 - I'll Work It Out / In The Land Of Milk And Honey [Brownstone #45-4204]

Momie-O
1975-?? - You're Welcome, Stop On By / Once You Get Started [I Dentity #ID-8004]

1975-?? - You're Welcome, Stop On By / Baby, Don't You Know [Polydor #PD-14683] Promo Only


Vicki (Anderson) Byrd & The Voices Of Twelve Robes
1985-?? - I've Been Blessed / Walk With Me Lord [Disciple #D-100]

Bossa Nostra Feat. Vicki Anderson
1996-?? - Home Is Where The Hatred Is / The Message From The Soul Sisters (The Remixes E.P.) [Irma CasaDiPrimordine #ICP 063]


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1 comment:

  1. USMAN4711 July 2023 at 15:48

    I'm back from vacation and I still have bad news. Here is an underestimated artist who would have deserved a better career with in particular an LP which would have certainly launched her.

    Yves

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