Candi Staton - The Album (2008)

No idea where I downloaded this from, so big thanks to the anonymous whoever and wherever.

I know it wasn't from Chitlins, but I know it sure deserves to be shared here..

Candi Staton - (1969-1973) Evidence - The Complete Fame Records Masters

The repost request was for an earlier compilation that I've since replaced with this one because it is better and more complete...hope you don't mind.

"Candi Staton (pronounced Stay-ton, born 13 March 1940 Hanceville, Alabama) is probably best known for her disco hits "Young Hearts Run Free" (1976) and "Nights On Broadway" (1977).

But back in the day, between 1969-1973, Candi recorded some of the best examples of what we call Southern Soul with producer Rick Hall at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals.

Candi was singing in a gospel group at a very early age and at boarding school she joined the Jewel Gospel Trio making recordings for Nashboro Records and touring with gospel stars like Mahalia Jackson, The Staple Singers, The Soul Stirrers and others.

Still in her teens Candi became pregnant and married a Pentecostal minister who was a jealous and abusive man and her musical career was temporarily suspended. For the next several years she was busy as a wife and mother of four children.

Later she began to sing R&B in local clubs and one night performed with Clarence Carter, who liked what he heard and offered her a job within his band. Initially, she declined but after leaving her husband, she met up with Carter again and joined the band. She went on to become Mrs Clarence Carter!

With Clarence’s guidance she honed her performing skills and eventually started recording at Rick Hall’s FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The results are evident here in 26 tracks, released on Capitol Records, full of funky southern soulfulness. They include eight singles (A& B sides) including ‘I’d Rather Be An Old Man’s Sweetheart (Than A Young Man’s Fool)’,’ I’m Just A Prisoner (Of Your Good Lovin’)’, ‘Sweet Feeling’ and ‘Stand By Your Man’. She also does a stirring version of ‘That’s How Strong My Love Is’ to compare with Otis and O.V. Wright – Her original distinctive voice once heard is not forgotten.

Candi has continued to have a successful career beyond her disco phase and has scored with several club hits especially in the UK. In the early 80’s she returned to recording Gospel and 2 of her albums received Grammy nominations . In 1991 she sang on The Source’s UK hit ‘You Got The Love’ which continues to be a classic club favorite . She is still active today aged 72 recording and appearing at various live events."

Candi Staton - His Hands (2006)

"...His Hands is 100 percent Southern soul. Staton involves several family members and longtime associates, including son Marcus Williams (a seasoned drummer who has played with her for years), daughter Cassandra Hightower, sister Maggie Staton Peebles, and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section organist Barry Beckett. It might be surprising to see that Lambchop's Mark Nevers produced the session, and that Lambchop ally Lloyd Barry arranged the horns, but both men have done extensive work with Staton's peers in the gospel world. Though seven of the 11 songs are provided by others (Merle Haggard, Red Simpson, Bert Berns, Will Oldham), Staton uses almost all of the album to work through the pain caused by her brutal past relationships, some of which came and went as she was churning out gospel material. Something like this has evidently been a long time coming. Going by her performances, she's possibly more familiar with the emotions running through the likes of "When Hearts Grow Cold" and "You Never Really Wanted Me" than the songwriters, and her voice remains a rich and powerful instrument -- it's amazing how little her voice has changed through nearly four decades. Even when the arrangements come too close to resembling slight facsimiles of classic Southern soul (which isn't too frequently), Staton's heartache is enough to cut through your soul. This is a very good album, and knowing that Staton seems to have cleared a glorious path through her dependencies and abusive relationships makes it all the more sweet." AMG

Candi Staton - Life Happens

Lord knows we have all listened to classic soul and said "They don't make records like that anymore." By now most of us also know that these 'rebirth' projects have varying degrees of success, but you need not worry about this one at all == all killer, no filler! YES VIRGINIA They DO still make records like this!!

Candi went back to Rick Hall's Fame studios where she recaptured the lightening in a bottle first minted some 40+ years ago. Sure the years show on her voice, but if anything it makes her even more emotionally powerful. Every song is a jewel, get out your handkerchief because Candi will touch your soul and you WILL shed a tear before the end.

"Candi Staton has always had a knack for finding a place for herself in the music scene. She’s been singing, touring, performing, since her high school days back in the 60’s. She’s sung country, gospel, R&B, disco, and lots of other stuff. But most importantly, she’s one of the defining voices in soul music and has done as much or more than anyone else to sell the world on the magic of soul. Four decades into her career, her voice rings just as true and authentic as it ever has. And she says that every song on Life Happens is a story about her life, with all of its ups and downs, sorrows and joys. It’s all in there and it will make you glad you’ve got soul."

Candi Staton - Candi / Music Speaks Louder Than Words

 I was sorely tempted to split this two-fer apart and only use the first album but I resisted the temptation.

Candi is still fairly solid Southern Soul with only occasional nods to the funk and disco swirling around the music world in 1974. I'm not sure how much I would enjoy the material if weren't Candi Staton singing it but her wonderful emotional voice soars over these songs and triumphs. The album must not have done well though and Staton would change producers following this record.

Which brings us to the disco drek of Nights On Broadway and most of what follows on the unfortunate second album here 'Music Speaks Louder Than Words'. For my money the title track is the only thing in the first 8 songs even worth the time to listen. The song Main Thing has some potential in a party compilation. The one true saving grace moment happens when Candi returns to her old formula of taking a country nugget and singing the crap out of it; Before The Next Teardrop Falls is magnificent, a triumph!