The vaults of Fame continue to produce heretofore unknown treasures from the golden age of the late 60's to early 70's. Only 3 of these 16 tracks ever saw the light of day even for a hot second. That leaves me shaking my head in wonder...this stuff isn't just good, it's REALLY GOOD! The version of 'Something' alone is worth the price of admission! Dan Penn, George Jackson, now James Govan...I'm rubbing my hands together in anticipation of the next gems to be unearthed. Born in Mississippi in 1949, Govan was raised in the Memphis area and has been a fixture on Beale Street for more than 20 years. These recordings from even 20 years earlier reveal a chapter that was largely undocumented and unremembered, even by soul fanatics. As far as I know Govan is still singing at the Rumboogie Cafe even today...at least he was last time I was there. He is also a good guitar player although I don't think he is playing on any of this material.
9 comments:
http://www.embedupload.com/?d=1XNVMSQVHX
Just listened to this. Had never heard of the guy. I'm stunned. Just reflects how cruel the music business can be, that this guy wasn't a bigger name.
Thanks KC
Anything from FAME/Muscle Shoals would automatically alert my d/l intentions so looking forward to a spin of this - I only have track 1 ( which appears on my 3cd FAME STUDIOS STORY 1961-1973 ) previously posted here by Chubbs I believe
Thanks! Another pleasant surprise. Very Good!
and, it must be said, all hail kent records for getting this stuff, and so much more, out there
As pmac, up to now, never heard of him ! Thank you very much, KC, for this discovery !
Totally unknown to me. Looking forward to yet another discovery. Many thanks, KC!
I have a download of this from earlier this year in my collection and have no idea where I got it. It is great and, if memory serves me correctly, some have referred to Govan as Little Otis. He does have some similarities to Otis Redding's style but is just fine in his own right and certainly not overly emulating Redding. Thanks so much for posting this.
Great stuff KC. Got his 1987 album I'm In Need that David Johnson produced at his own Broadway Sound, which had been previously been the Quinvy Studios run by Quin Ivy. It's a fine modern album with the cream of Muscle Shoals playing it but it is somehow missing that magic spark from previous decades. That might just be my cynical (older) ears rebelling because I know it's from 1987...
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