Been So Long

Here's another songbook collection spawn from a recently REDUX'd project ...

Well before he was at the helm of Hi Records for its most successful stretch, trumpeter / bandleader / producer, Willie Mitchell had a secret weapon in his arsenal. It was in 1957 when he first crossed paths with Memphis-born Don Bryant and his group, The Quails. A twist of fate quickly had them re-named The Four Kings and backing Mitchell, with Bryant as lead vocalist. For several years the group worked closely with Mitchell, where Bryant would hone his talents as both singer and songwriter. Mitchell had Bryant write "I Got To Know" in 1960, for his sessions with The 5 Royales, forging a relationship that would continue as such for close to two decades. Even as the The Four Kings withered moving into the mid-60s, Bryant remained with Mitchell, and as a soloist released about ten 45s and a full length album for Hi Records between 1965 and 1969. With over 150 titles to his credit, Bryant of course penned a large portion his own output while composing material for other acts on the label. His songs were also cut by other artists associated with Mitchell. Danny White, Buddy Lamp, Lee Rogers, Tony Ashley and Solomon Burke, among others, all benefited from Bryant's abilities. By the early 70s Willie Mitchell was a co-owner and essentially running Hi Records, with Bryant strictly contracted as a songwriter for the company. Often paired with rising star Ann Peebles, Bryant penned "Trouble Heartaches And Sadness", "99 Pounds", "I’ve Been There Before", "Do I Need You", "Until You Came Into My Life", "A Love Vibration", "I Needed Somebody", and many many more with Peebles in mind and often co-writing. Their chemistry quickly became intimacy and following the success of "Can't Stand The Rain", the couple were married in 1974. Bryant spent much of the subsequent decade writing and opening for Peebles and in some capacity, would appear on her records. Bryant would perform at his church and released a few gospel records between 1987 and 2000. In 2016 Bryant collaborated with Memphis-based group, The Bo-Keys, which led to not one, but two of the best soul records of recent years. Don't Give Up On Love (2017) and You Make Me Feel (2020) are a triumphant return to Bryant's roots, featuring new and original material alongside some classics from his songbook, and finding our man in truly incredible form. This project mainly focuses on mid 60s to mid 70s recordings and features very little performed by either Don Bryant or Ann Peebles. Additionally due to my personal preference for southern groovers and deep ballads, this collection is fairly lopsided, neglecting a number Bryant's more up-beat northern knockers. Regardless, hope you dig it!

VA - Been So Long (Selections From The Songbook Of Don Bryant)

01 - Quiet Elegance - 1972 - Do You Love Me? (Hi 2223) (Hi 5N-2280)

02 - Silk Storm - 1974 - Love Will Make You Feel Better (Pawn 3805) [mono]

03 - Lou Pride - 197? - You've Got To Work For Love (Albatross 2636)

04 - Tony Ashley - 1968 - I Can't Put You Down (Decca 32342) [mono]

05 - Lee Rogers - 1967 - Love Can Really Hurt You Deep (Wheelsville U.S.A. 121) [mono]

06 - Norm West - 1965 - Hey Little Girl (M.O.C. 664) [mono]

07 - 1 + 1 [Don Bryant & Marion Brittnam] - 1966 - Been So Long (M.O.C. 662)

08 - The 5 Royales - 1960 - I Got To Know (Home Of The Blues 112) [mono]

09 - O.V. Wright - 1967 - What About You? (Back Beat 586) [meefs]

10 - Janit & The Jays - 1966 - Without A Reason (Hi 2109) [mono]

11 - Teacher's Edition - 1972 - I Wanna Share Everything (Hi 2224) [mono]

12 - Ann Peebles - 1974 - Run, Run, Run (Hi XSHL 32079)

13 - Marilyn & Billy - 1978 - I Got Love For You (Columbia LP JC 35603)

14 - Irma Thomas - 1986 - I Needed Somebody (Rounder LP 2046)

15 - Willie Walker - 1978 - Reaching For The Real Thing (Hi 78513)

16 - Otis Clay - 1977 - Keep On Loving Me (Hi HLP 6003)

17 - Candi Staton - 1971 - Trouble, Heartaches And Sadness (Unissued Fame)

18 - Solomon Burke - 1968 - Shame On Me (Atlantic LP SD 8185)

19 - Don Bryant - 1966 - I'll Do The Rest (Hi 2104) [mono]

20 - Otis Clay - 1972 - Let Me Be The One (Hi 2226)

21 - Fontella Bass - 1972 - I Want Everyone To Know (Paula 367) (Paula LPS 2213)

22 - Etta James - 1976 - A Love Vibration (Chess LP ACH-19003)

23 - Willie Clayton - 1974 - It's Time You Made Up Your Mind (Pawn 5N-3802)

24 - O.V. Wright - 1972 - I Can't Take It (Back Beat BBLP-70)

25 - The Ovations w. Louis Williams - 1973 - Your Love Is Like A Song To Me (MGM LP SE-4945)

26 - Mark Williams - 1976 - I Can't Stand The Rain (EMI [NZ] LP HSD-1046)

BSL