Key Significant Benchmarks in the African American Black Music industry Pt 10

              Johnnie Taylor and The Manhattans

The gold certified album containing
the platinum single "Disco Lady"

Did you know that Johnnie Taylor and The Manhattans were the first recording acts in America to receive platinum certifications for their hit singles. Both singles were also number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot Soul Singles Chart. Johnnie Taylor’s single “Disco Lady” became the certified-platinum single in history of the music industry, selling more than two million copies in America. It was number one week-ending 13^th March 1976 (6 weeks) on the Billboard Hot Soul and R&B Singles Chart. This was the first recording for CBS Records Black music division to obtain this great benchmark achievement. 

The gold album featuring the  platinum single
 "Kiss and Say Goodbye"

This was later followed up by The Manhattans’ hit single “Kiss and Say Goodbye” which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Soul Singled Chart week-ending 22^nd May 1976 (1 week). The song also peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart week-ending 24^th July 1976 (2 weeks). Before the single receive the acquired a platinum certification for sales in excess of two copies, it had already sold over one million copies in the black market across America. 

The group received the accolade in August 1976.The single was also the first platinum certification to be recorded at the Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia with the legendary Bobby Martin who was the main arranger at PIR (Philadelphia International Records) during its golden era, known as “The Sound of Philadelphia”. The album became a major success in the UK receiving  two silver certifications by BPI for the singles “Kiss and Say Goodbye” and “Hurt”, with each single selling in excess of quarter of million copies in 1976.

                                           Researched and compiled by                                                          
                                          Mr K  Tomlin Music Historian                  
                                          ©Signaturesoundsonline2014-2015

Some Key Facts about Mavis Staples and Amy Grant

Did you know that Mavis Staples and Amy Grant are the first two female recording artists from America to reach the number-one position on the Official UK Christian & Gospel Albums Chart during the summer of 2013!

Amy Grant's first number-one gospel on the UK Official
Christian & Gospel Albums Chart

Grant was the first to debut at the top of the UK Official Gospel & Christian Albums Chart week-ending the 1^st June 2013 for three non-consecutive weeks with album “How Mercy Looks from Here”. The album of the same title also debuted at number-one in America on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart the same week-ending the 1^st June 2013 (3 weeks). This is Grant’s 16^th album of the Christian music genre to debut at number-one position on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart since the beginning of her recording career.

On week-ending the 22^nd June 2013 (1 week) Grant returned to the top after been dethroned by UK Gospel Rap artist Guvna with his debuted album “ODD 1 Out” on the UK Official Gospel & Christian Albums Chart week-ending the 8^th June 2013 (1 week).  Guvna was the first UK Rap Gospel &Christian independent artist to achieve this feat since the official launch of UK Official Gospel & Christian Albums Chart in Mid-March of 2013.

Two weeks after that, Grant went to number-one again with

her album on the UK Official Gospel & Christian Albums

Staples' first number-one album of her entire career

Chart. She was followed by Staples who debuted at number-one on week-ending 6^th July (1 week) with her album entitled “One True Vine”.  This is Staples’ first studio album of her entire career to achieve this level of success overseas in the UK.

Her album also debuted at number-two on the Billboard Gospel Albums Chart in America week-ending the 13^th July 2013 (1 week). Her album “One True vine” has been in the Top Ten of the Billboard Gospel Albums Chart for over five weeks since the week-ending 10^th August 2013.

                               Written, researched and compiled by 
                               Music Historian Kevin Tomlin    
                               ©RCMMusic/Signaturesoundsonline 2013

Classic Hit Records Written By Bobby Womack (Part 1)

Bobby Womack

I would describe Bobby as a “Soul Folk Singer” What I mean by that is that where other great Soul songs might include deep-rooted religious lyrics whether to do with despair, hope or celebration or they might be super smooth love stories/serenades Bobby’s take and delivery is his very own. Of course he is a teacher preacher. He does that very well, but his delivery is very much his own.

 His frequent talking in the intro section of songs and his subsequent “stream of consciousness” style content is more conversational than other artists’ “carefully crafted lyrics”. What can appear as ramblings are always confirmed as his most heartfelt feelings? This makes his experience more plausible, more believable. His words often echo of a heart to heart one might have with a loved one. He is lyrically personable. One cannot help like and trust the man.

Musically his songs are never stagnant. Whatever he’s singing about, his story is real. We know that from the manner in which his vocals can go from sweet melancholy, to simmering frustration right to that Womack (Brown-like) eruption in the space of a line.


                 Researched and compiled by                            
                 Mr K Tomlin Music Historian 
                 ©RCM Music/Signaturesoundsonline2013 

Did You Know

"I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You" was the first album for Aretha Franklin to become gold certified for over half million copies sold in America in 1967, released on 10th March 1967. It help to established Aretha as a superstar globally . The album also content her signature song, "Respect", which actually topped Billboard Pop Singles Chart listings. Rolling Stones magazine regarded "I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You" album as one of the best and most influential albums of the rock era.
Billboard Pop Singles Chart listings: "Respect" was number one for two weeks from 3rd June to the 19th June 1967. Selling over million copies in the process. Billboard R&B Singles Chart listings,  at the number one position for eight weeks, from 20th May 1967 until 15th July 1967.
The title track: "I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You", achieved gold status for million plus copies sold and Billboard R&B number one on 25th March 1967 for seven weeks.
The title track was recorded at the world famous recording studios called FAME Studios, with the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.

Track listing

1. "Respect" (Otis Redding)
2. "Drown in My Own Tears" (Henry Glover)
3. "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" (Ronny Shannon)
4. "Soul Serenade" (Curtis Ousley, Luther Dixon)
5. "Don't Let Me Lose This Dream" (Aretha Franklin, Ted White)
6. "Baby, Baby, Baby" (A. Franklin, Carolyn Franklin)
7. "Dr. Feelgood (Love Is a Serious Business)" (A. Franklin, White)
8. "Good Times" (Sam Cooke)
9. "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" (Dan Penn, Chips Moman)
10. "Save Me" (Ousley, A. Franklin, C. Franklin)
11. "A Change Is Gonna Come" (Cooke)

Personnel

• Aretha Franklin - Piano, Vocals
• King Curtis - Tenor saxophone
• Carolyn Franklin - Background Vocals
• Willie Bridges - Baritone saxophone
• Charles Chalmers - Tenor saxophone
• Gene Chrisman - Drums
• Tommy Cogbill - Bass
• Tom Dowd - Engineer
• Jimmy Johnson - Guitar
• Melvin Lastie - Trumpet, Cornet
• Chips Moman - Guitar
• Dewey Oldham - Keyboards
• Jerry Wexler - Producer

©2008RCM Music Ltd