Johnny Adams - Sings Pomus and Mayfield

A re-post by request: After reading my own earlier introduction I've determined that one of these days soon I'll expand this bad boy with All the other covers that Adams did of these two giant songwriters just to make "The Ultimate" version:

1/19/14  Well I brought this up now didn't I? These two albums do not represent the sum total of J.A. covers of either of these two, they were clearly favorites of his, but it is wonderful to have two entire albums dedicated to these marvelous songwriters.

"Whenever Johnny Adams does a repertory album, it's as much his own showcase as a forum for the spotlighted composer. Even Percy Mayfield's lyrically brilliant works don't hamper Adams from displaying his special magic; his treatments on the session's ten tunes range from excellent to magnificent. Adams is gripping on "My Heart Is Hangin' Heavy," nicely bemused on "The Lover and the Married Woman," and convincing on the title track and "Danger Zone." Although he's done numerous Rounder vehicles, Adams hasn't yet turned in a dud."

"The late Doc Pomus was one of the top songwriters in the R&B/blues tradition while Johnny Adams was one of his favorite singers; their eventual matchup was quite logical. Pomus wrote a few new songs and worked with Adams on planning this Rounder CD up until his own death. Fortunately the project was not halted and resulted in an enjoyable set. Pomus' intelligent and universal lyrics perfectly fit Adams' style which features flawless enunciation and an ability to sincerely convey a wide range of emotions. With hornlines arranged by Red Tyler, occasional brief solos contributed by pianist Dr. John and guitarist Duke Robillard, and top notch singing by Johnny Adams, Doc Pomus' music is well served on a strong set of blues and ballads."

Dalton Reed - Louisiana Soul Man 1991

When Scott Billington of Rounder Records began looking outside of New Orleans for Louisiana talent, one of the real gems he found was this master welder by day who was also a choir director in his church, and a fine blues/soul singer in the Lafayette, Louisiana music clubs scene at night. The story is that Dalton had a couple low budget 45's on a restaurant jukebox and Billington came in to eat and heard them. I think of him as the Johnny Adams of Lafayette. He has the same kind of rich, buttery sound and draws material from similar sources. This was his first ever album and first work with a real production team. I think you will find that he rose to the occaision. If you don't like his opening version of 'Baby Read Me My Rights' then I just don't know what to do with ya!

"  Dalton Reed attempted to keep the sweet sound of deep soul alive in the '90s. The Lafayette, LA, singer comes from a gospel background -- a prerequisite for success in the genre -- and cut his first single for his own little label in 1986.
  When he was child, Reed sang gospel in church and played trumpet in his high-school marching band. Reed fell in love with R&B and soul as a teenager, prompting him to join a few local bands. Soon, he formed his own group, Dalton Reed and the Musical Journey Band. In a short while, the band was playing bars and clubs throughout Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas.
  Reed founded his own record label, Sweet Daddy Records, in 1986, releasing his debut single, "Givin' On in to Love," that same year. Within a few years after the formation of Sweet Daddy, Reed and his brother Johnny formed another independent label, Reed Brothers Records." AMG

Louisiana Soul Man
  In 1990, Bullseye Blues signed Reed and the label released his debut album, Louisiana Soul Man, the following year. Three years later, his second album, Willing & Able, appeared. When he wasn't recording, Reed toured, playing concerts throughout America.  
Addendum While on tour in support of the second Rounder album Dalton was found dead in his hotel room prior to a gig in Minneapolis, he died of heart failure at only 40 years old.