James Phelps is best known in rare soul circles for his
original recording of "The Look On Your Face" covered by Nate Evans (The
Impressions) and John Edwards (The Spinners) in 1972. It was also released
by Satin (Lenny Satin) in 1971 as "Your Loves Got Me", same tune but
different title and lyrics, so I'm not sure which came first Satin
or James Phelps . All versions were
posted here.
Phelps is from the deep south but moved to Chicago aged 17 to escape the
racial hatred in the south. He began his career as a gospel singer with
various gospel groups (which included Lou Rawls) before forming The Clefs Of
Cavalry in the early 60s. In 1964 he joined The Soul Stirrers
which boasts Johnnie Taylor, Lou Rawls and Sam Cooke as one time members. He
was signed by Chess in 1965 and released two singles on the fore-runner to
Cadet, Argos, and then this typical mid 60s Chicago skip-a-long single "Oh, What A Feeling" on Cadet in 1966.
Here's a tune that has been recorded several times, three versions of the
same song and another which is the same tune but different title by
Satin.
It's 'interesting' that on each recording the writer credits are
different even though according to
BMI
the writer is Floyd Smith, who is credited on all but the second release by
Nate Evans.
Writer credits: Lennie Satin, Floyd Smith, Gene Smith
Satin is Lennie Satin who recorded the only other release on Fip
(Festival International Productions), the same label as Mel Britt's
Northern soul gem 'She'll Come Running Back'.
This is the same song with a different title.
James Phelps [1971] - The Look On Your Face [Apache #AP 2007]
Writer credits: Floyd Smith, D. Chapman, Rich Tufo
James Phelps started out as a gospel singer with Gospel Songbirds, Holy
Wonders (who included Lou Rawls as a member), Clefs of Cavalry and then
The Soul Stirrers which included Sam Cooke and Johnnie Taylor, who
replaced Cooke when he left for a secular solo career.
In 1965 Phelps released his first solo single
'Love Is A 5-Letter Word'
on Argos which reached #12 Hot 100 and he left The Soul Stirrers. He
released a total of 7 singles between 1965-72, 'The Look On Your Face'
being his penultimate release before he left the music business. He died
in 2010 aged 78.
John Edwards [1972] - The Look On Your Face [Bell #45-205]
The official A side to this record, a Phillip Mitchell song,
'It's Those Little Things That Count'
has also been a popular crossover/modern soul tune over the years, making
this a very sought after 45. It was also recorded the same year by
The Artistics
on Brunswick and by
Mel & Tim
on Stax in 1973 at a more ballad pace.
John Edwards released around a dozen 45s between 1969-76 on Weis, Twin
Stacks, Aware, Cotillion and this one on Bell before joining The Detroit
Spinners full-time in 1977 replacing Phillipe Wynne. He was lead singer on
their biggest hit 'Working My Way Back To You' in 1980. He suffered a
stroke in 2000 and retired being replaced by G.C. Cameron who returned to
the group after leaving them when they left Motown in 1971.
Nate Evans & Buss [1972] - The Look On Your Face [DPR #003]
Nate Evans released it twice in 1972 with Buss and then with Mean Green. I can't really tell if there is any difference between the two
recordings but for some reason the writer credits differ.
The A side 'This Time With Feeling' was quite a big tune on NS circuit in
1975/76 and has been reactivated more recently.
Evans also recorded another wonderful crossover tune
'Main Squeeze'
on Twinight in 1973.
In 1976 Evans replaced Ralph Graham in The Impressions. He left in 1979
but rejoined briefly in 1981 to record 'Fan The Fire' album.
Nate Evans & Mean Green [1972] - The Look On Your Face [DPR
#003]
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