Lynn Varnado [1973] - Wash And Wear Love [Gatur G1202]

Pretty well know in Northern Soul circles as this was a big record around 1976. Originally a Blackpool Mecca spin which took off all over the country but was bootlegged (very easy to spot as bootleg label is yellow/black not colour) which I guess instantly killed it.  It has always stuck in my mind and you never hear it played these days, probably because it is a very rare record on original, but not as rare as her earlier (first?) 45 Second Hand Love / Goodbye And God Speed on Yumie which was also bootlegged.  She did cut one side of another 45 in 1979 'What Is This Life' (a bluesy number) with Margie Evans on the flip and there have been 2 issues of previously unreleased tracks from Hayley (2005) and BGP (2016).

'Wash And Wear Love' sits very firmly in 'crossover' territory and quite surprising that it was such as big a sound as it was at all-nighters, not because of its quality, but it is simply not a typical Northern Soul record of the time.  Quality always rises to the top!

Lynn (Alleane) Varnado is now known as Dr. Alleane Varnado Lang and turned to gospel music. Some more info at SirShambling.

Alleane Varnado Facebook

An anecdote I came across is that Lynn Varnado is Snoop Dogg's aunt and Daz Dillinger's (of Dogg Pound) mother.

Lynn Varnado [1973] - Wash And Wear Love [Gatur G1202]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 9

Lynn Varnado [1973] - Tell Me What's Wrong With The Men  [Gatur G1202]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.8

Sista funk A side.

Lynn Vernado [1971] - Second Hand Love (Is Not For Me) [Yumie 1000]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.2

70s Modern Northern Soul that got spins mid 70s and was bootlegged. Extremely rare on original as dealer John Manship states that he has only held 3 copies in 50 years.
Note the (mis)spelling of her name.

Lynn Vernado [1971] - Goodby And God Speed [Yumie 1000]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.8

A deep soulful mid-tempo floater.

Alleann Varnado [1979] - What Is This Life [ICA ICA-025-1]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.1

A southern soul bluesy number.

Margie Evans [1979] - You Are To Me [ICA ICA-025-1]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.2

Nothing to do with Lynn Varnado, but for completeness have included the flip side to What Is This Life.  A pleasant enough 70s modern soul dancer.

Lynn Vernado [2005] - Ain't That Something [Hayley HR010]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.2

Previously unreleased version of the Ashford & Simpson song released by Hayley (UK) in 2005 with 'Wash And Wear Love' on the other side.

Lynn Varnado [2016] - Staying At Home Like A Woman [BGP 052]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.2

A previously unreleased slice of sistah funk with 'Tell Me What's Wrong With Men' on the other side.

NS555 Lynn Varnado [1973] - Wash & Wear Love [Gatur 1202 B]

555 Lynn Varnado [1973] - Wash & Wear Love [Gatur 1202 B]

b/w:	Tell Me What's Worng With The Men (official A side)
Format:	45
Label:	Label
Cat No:	Cat No
Year:	1966
Value:	£2,000 Original £25 Reissue

First heard this at St. Ives in 1976 played by Tony Dellar and have loved it ever since.  It has just got so much 'crossover' appeal.  Northern, Modern, crossover, southern soul.  It's a classic to my ears and still sounds as fresh today as when I first heard it and bought it nearly 35 years ago!

Lynn Vernado's real name is Allean Vernado.

This was taken from 'Wanted Records' in Aug 2010 where a copy sold for approx. $2,500:

Wash And Wear Love by Lynn Varnado. Mega Rare Northern Soul 45 on Gator #1202. A Miles Grayson production. Not only one of the rarest Los Angeles records but one of the rarest Northern Soul records out there. According to Miles Grayson he said that he handed out a few copies and ended up throwing the rest in the garbage. Even the ones he handed out he remembers some kids tossing them like frisbees. In other words, good luck finding an original copy of this LA rarity.

Lynn Varnado [1973] - Tell Me What's Wrong With Men [Gatur 1202 A]

Lynn Vernado [1971] - Second Hand Love (Is Not For Me) [Yumie #1000-B]

Lynn Vernado [1971] - Goodbye And God Speed [Yumie #1000-A]

Lyn Varnado [2005] - Ain't That Something [Hayley HR010]

Stunning previously unreleased dancer produced by Clay McMurray. Written by Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson and released on Hayley.

Lynn Varnado [2016] - Staying Home Like A Woman {BGP #BGPS 052]

Allean Vernado [1979] - What Is Life [ICA #ICA-025]

Lynn Varnado [] - Don't Want To Lose You (SAMPLE)

Someone has posted this on YouTube but I personally don't think it is by Lynn Varnado ... (the label scan is a mock-up copied from Wash & Wear love) if anyone knows who it really is then please post a comment.