Soul Queens Sing Stones

Here's a collection that does what it says on the tin: women singing songs of the Rolling Stones.  Merry Clayton sang on the original recording of "Gimme Shelter", and here she makes the song her own.  Ruth Copeland was an early member of Funkadelic.  In addition to her dramatic reading of "Play With Fire" on today's comp, she too sang Gimme Shelter (with Eddie Hazel on guitar and Bernie Worrell on keys).

Tina Turner, the Pointer Sisters, and the ladies of LaBelle are here, as well as Ann Peebles (a version of "Miss You" with that classic Hi Records sound).  

Some of the performers have been forgotten by all but the crate diggers and connoisseurs of deep soul and rare funk.  Does anyone remember Blinky, Margie Miller or Capricorn Records artist Maxayn?  All of them are excellent singers.

I honestly didn't expect much from some of these covers, but was pleasantly surprised by Odetta, Jennifer Warnes, and the Fifth Dimension (with a credible "Moonlight Mile").  There are some powerful voices here, and I hope you enjoy the songs as much as I enjoyed putting together this compilation. 

And what better way to end your week than with yet another trio of Triple Song Titles!  Get ready for some 1950's pop (Wow Wow Wow), where swinging Richards (Little Richard and Richard Berry) rub shoulders with squares like Doris Day, Danny Kaye, and the Andrews Sisters!  

Then there's Weed Weed Weed (dancehall, reggae, highlife, etc), which is a collection of Afro-Caribbean songs about gardening and lawncare.  Many of these were contributed by Richard, but even he will find a couple of surprises here.

Finally, we have Kom Kom Kom, a set of pop songs in other languages.  Once again, Richard has traveled far and wide to find these schlager, chansons and novelty tunes. (If any genres are tagged incorrectly, it's my mistake and not his.) Raise your glass or spark one up as a toast to Richard!