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"Take Me For A Little While" - Evie Sands
(Aug. 1965, highest chart pos. #114 Bubbling Under,
perf. on Oct. 9, 1965, ep. of Shivaree)
"I Can't Let Go" - Evie Sands
(Dec. 1965, uncharted, perf. on
Dec. 18, 1965 ep. of Shivaree)
Dec. 18, 1965 ep. of Shivaree)
Welcome to Pt. 2 of my salute to Evie Sands!
Last time, in part one, you watched the New York based white soul
singer, songwriter and guitarist in appearances on the teen-oriented
music TV shows Hollywood A Go-Go and Shivaree. At the top of
this post you saw two more (and different) Evie Sands perfor-
mances on Shivaree. Now here's a fifth rare clip of Evie on
Hollywood A Go-Go. This song is the fab flip side of
"Take Me For A Little While." The excitement meter
is pegged as Evie Sands belts out--
"Run Home To Your Mama!"
"Run Home To Your Mama" - Evie Sands
(B side of "Take Me For A Little While," perf.
on Oct. 9, 1965 ep. of Hollywood A Go-Go)
Stateside Evie's career was stymied by a series of bad breaks,
but across the pond in Northern Soul dance clubs, her records
were played heavily. One of the most requested Evie slabs
is the Northern stormer "Picture Me Gone," a June 1966
but across the pond in Northern Soul dance clubs, her records
were played heavily. One of the most requested Evie slabs
is the Northern stormer "Picture Me Gone," a June 1966
single that failed to make the U.S. chart.
"Picture Me Gone" - Evie Sands
(June 1966, uncharted)
(June 1966, uncharted)
Evie Sands was the first
to record "Angel Of The
Morning," a song written
to record "Angel Of The
Morning," a song written
by Chip Taylor, younger
brother of Jon Voight,
star of the 1969 film
brother of Jon Voight,
star of the 1969 film
Midnight Cowboy.
Evie's "Angel Of
The Morning" 45
hit the street in
June of 1967.
Evie's original version of
"Angel Of The Morning"
deserved to be a hit, but
at the time of the single's
release, her record label,
Cameo-Parkway, was
in the midst of a steady
decline and nearing bank-
ruptcy. Lacking adequate
promotion and distribution,
another great Evie Sands
record flopped and failed
to reach any of the charts.
"Angel of the Morning"
- Evie Sands (June 1967,
- Evie Sands (June 1967,
uncharted)
It didn't take long for another artist to release a version of the dramatic
ballad and eclipse Evie Sands' recording. It happened the following
summer when Merrilee Rush And The Turnabouts hit the top 10
on Billboard and the top 3 on Cash Box with their single.
ballad and eclipse Evie Sands' recording. It happened the following
summer when Merrilee Rush And The Turnabouts hit the top 10
on Billboard and the top 3 on Cash Box with their single.
"Angel of the Morning" - Merrilee Rush And The Turnabouts
(June 1968, highest chart pos. #3 Cash Box/#7 Hot 100)
The most successful version of "Angel" was recorded more than
a decade later by pop/country singer and songwriter Juice Newton.
In the spring of 1981 Juice's single reached the top 5 on the
Hot 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
a decade later by pop/country singer and songwriter Juice Newton.
In the spring of 1981 Juice's single reached the top 5 on the
Hot 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
"Angel of the Morning" Juice Newton
(April/May 1981, highest chart pos. #2 Cash Box/#4 Hot 100,
Mar. 6, 1981, perf. on The Midnight Special)
Mar. 6, 1981, perf. on The Midnight Special)
To conclude my tribute
to the music of Evie Sands,
I present two songs from
her 1970 album Any Way
to the music of Evie Sands,
I present two songs from
her 1970 album Any Way
That You Want Me. First
here is Evie's glorious
remake of one of her
signature songs "Take
Me For A Little While."
here is Evie's glorious
remake of one of her
signature songs "Take
Me For A Little While."
"Take Me For A Little
While" - Evie Sands
(May 1970, from
album Any Way
That You Want Me)
While" - Evie Sands
(May 1970, from
album Any Way
That You Want Me)
"But You Know I Love You" was a top 20 hit for Kenny Rogers and his group
The First Edition in 1969. Listen to the superb vocal and arrangement on Evie's
version. Released as a single in 1970, Evie's version merely Bubbled Under.
Shady sez a platter this pleasing should have peaked high in the Hot 100!
"But You Know I Love You" - Evie Sands
(Mar./Apr. 1970, highest chart pos. #110 Bubbling Under,
from 1970 album Any Way That You Want Me)
Evie Sands has more soul and more talent
than any hundred of today's dance-poppers.
The proof is in the wax.
Have a Shady day!
Even recording with a fly-by-night record company, this woman should have been a major star. At least she was one in the UK.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention it in my comment last week, but I do prefer her first (but not her second) version of "Take Me for a Little While" to Vanilla Fudge's.
"Picture Me Gone" may have been recorded in 1966, but I'm guessing that video was made some time later, as Evie looks a bit older. Speaking of Evie's looks, in a couple of those pictures she could be mistaken for Karen Carpenter, as different as their singing styles may be.
I never heard of Chip Taylor before, but I guess he'd have to be Angelina Jolie's uncle, huh?
Up to now, I've only known Juice Newton's version of "Angel in the Morning" but I now find it slightly inferior to not only Evie Sands' but Merilee Rush's version, too.
Well, thanks for introducing me to Evie. I looked her up and see she's still alive (not that there's any real reason for her not to be), so there's always time for that hit single in her native country. If I was a Hollywood filmmaker, I'd at least put one of her recordings on a soundtrack.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteUp all night, good buddy? :) Thanks for coming over in the pre-dawn darkness to claim the early bird spot as I present Pt. 2 of my tribute to the underappreciated singer and song scribe Evie Sands!
Wow, Kirk, I'm delighted that your ears are tuned to Evie Sands the way mine are, and that you get what she was all about. Slick production is one thing, but the soul has to be there, and Evie comes from soul in all of her performances.
Yes, Evie was noticeably older in that clip as she lip synced her original 60s recording of "Picture Me Gone." That record was big in the Northern Soul clubs across England. Still going strong, Northern Soul is a music and dance movement that emerged from the British Mod scene in the late 60s. DJs play rare and obscure American soul records and the crowds can't get enough. Apparently Evie was in the UK at the time this video was made and it looks like it was taped in the recording studio of songwriter/record producer Ian Levine, a key figure and promoter of Northern soul in the UK.
I agree that Evie Sands looks somewhat like Karen Carpenter. Good observation!
Along with the hit "Angel of the Morning," songwriter and producer Chip Taylor penned "Wild Thing" which became the biggest career hit for the English band The Troggs and was also famously recorded by The Jimi Hendrix Experience and by comedian and rock wild man Sam Kinison. Chip Taylor is the brother of actor Jon Voight of Midnight Cowboy fame. That reminds me of the time George Costanza had a "brush with greatness" when he bought John Voight's car:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Vqd0sBw44
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm2iNNqj2fQ
I'm with you all the way on the three versions of "Angel Of The Morning" presented here. The Juice Newton version is the one that gets all the attention from younger music fans, but I think it is overdone, overly dramatic, overwrought, compared to the other two recordings. I never heard the Evie Sands original until I delved into her work in the 21st century. The only version I was exposed to in the 60s was hit single by Merrilee Rush which reveals more of a country influence than Evie's version. Stick around because you will hear yet another version of "Angel" coming up in my next post.
It would be swell if Evie Sands could produce a hit for the first time in her life, but she's already getting plenty of admiration and respect from savvy blue-eyed soul fans old and young. Her legacy is intact.
Thanks again for showing up so early and for your great comment, good buddy Kirk!
So many of those songs were hits for other people - recognize quite a few of them just by the title. She just ended up with the wrong record label.
ReplyDeleteHi, Alex!
DeleteYou got bumped from the early bird spot by Kirk this week, good buddy, but I thank you for coming!
Yep, you summed up Evie's hard luck story very well, Alex. Even when she switched to Herb Alpert's successful A&M Records label and released that 1970 album Any Way That You Want Me, the best she could get was a #53 chart finish for the title song. Other singles from that album merely Bubbled Under, a chart seemingly made with her in mind. Evie had a little more success in the mid 70s on the Haven label with a #36 finish and two records that reached #50, but all her best recordings, the ones released in the 60s, failed to catch on.
Thanks again for reporting in, good buddy Alex!
I really enjoyed her singing voice and she just got bad breaks all around. What a great voice. I would love to know if she did songs from Billie Holiday or old favourites like Stormy Weather. Thanks for showcasing this. I do love Juice Newton's version, I have to admit. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteThanks for hustling over early, dear friend! (We gotta stop meeting like this! :)
I'm glad you appreciate the vocal styling of New York based blue-eyed soul thrush Evie Sands, an artist who deserved to become a household name but instead is today known to relatively few music lovers.
Here's an old favorite that Evie Sands recorded. It's her second single, released in February 1964, the traditional Irish song "Danny Boy I Love You So":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHaqmjAD0l8
Pretty cool, huh? After that 1970 album on A&M, Evie continued to release albums on various labels including Estate of Mind (1974) on Haven, Suspended Animation (1979) on RCA, Women in Prison (1998) on Train Wreck Records (appropriate name)... all the way up to 2017. Most of her material, the early stuff at any rate, seems to have been penned by herself and by Chip Taylor.
I'm pleased that you enjoyed Juice's rendition of "Angel Of The Morning."
Thanks again, a bunch, for being here so early this time around. I wish you a safe and happy weekend, dear friend BB!
You learn something new every day! I had no idea that Juice Newton's version of Angel of the Morning was a cover. Listening to all three, I can see the appeal for each and I'm not sure which I like best.
ReplyDeleteIt's odd how much a singer's popularity can vary from one country to another. She had a great voice and it's a shame she didn't fare better in the US than she did. Thanks for sharing her with us, Shady.
Hi, Kelly!
DeleteWelcome in, dear friend! I'm happy that you returned for Part 2 of my special series on Evie Sands and found more to like. Yessum, the three versions of "Angel" are significantly different from one another. On Evie's original, when she sings "I'm old enough to face the dawn," her voice stays downscale on the word "dawn." By contrast, on Merrillee's version, her voice trails upward on the word "dawn." Juice Newton's voice goes even farther up the scale on the words "the dawn." I love the horn and string arrangements on all three versions.
Yessum, Evie Sands is one of many U.S. artists who found a greater measure of fame and success across the pond on the Northern Soul circuit in England.
Thanks again for joining me, Kelly. I'm very pleased that you got some enjoyment out of this two part series on Evie Sands. Stay tuned. A few days from now I will begin another two-parter paying tribute to a soulful songbird in the UK. In the meantime I wish you and my bowwow buddy Pat a wonderful weekend, dear friend!
Hi Shady,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kirk. It's really a pity that Evie didn't make it much further, she had an amazing voice and style.
Yeah, Kirk, "Picture Me Gone" might have been recorded in 1966, but the video definitely looks like it was made later, maybe in the 1970s or 1980s. I also thought she looked like Karen Carpenter.
Shady, dear friend, you really provided a soundtrack again today. Thank you for introducing me to Evie. Have a great evening.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for coming over for the Part 2 conclusion of my special salute to Evie. I'm glad you agree with Kirk and others, including Shady, that Evie was worthy of a more successful career.
I'm thinking that sync performance of "Picture Me Gone" was probably recorded in the 1990s or 2000s based on Evie's age in the video. Keep in mind that she was age 16, about to turn 17, in mid 1963 when her first single was released. She would have been in her 40s in the 90s and 50s in the 2000s. That range seems about right when I look at the clip.
I'm always happy to provide you with a soundtrack to carry you through your day. Thanks again for stopping in and have a wonderful weekend, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteIs Evie still alive? If she is, does she still produce music? It always bums me out when talented artists don't make it, but I hope she was able to have a successful career in something else.
The High Holidays are now over, time to return to "normal" before the other holidays begin. LOL! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. My aunt came home Saturday night, so I was home by Saturday night.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteYessum, Evie is still alive, and not much older than Shady. She turned 74 in July. She released her most recent album in 2014 and an EP in 2017. In April of this year she released a new single entitled "If You Give Up," and a new album is scheduled to be released this year. Great news, huh?
Thanks for letting me know your dogsitting duty ended earlier than I expected. Thanks again for stopping in, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady. This has been a superb salute to Evie Sands! I don't remember her by name in the 60's, and I ask myself how did I miss her? I know most of her songs didn't chart in her voice, but some were definitely hits by other artists. I have enjoyed watching her performances, and her energy is exhilarating! She even has the best backup "go go" dancers ever in her performances-with their own stage presences!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites is "Take Me For A Little While". Why in the world it only charted at #114 is beyond me. I truly like Vanilla Fudge's version and actually saw them in concert perform the song, but it does belong to Evie. This song's story really gets me, although I have never implored anyone to just "Take Me for A Little While". I guess that idea is what gives the song its emotional "Je ne sais quois".
"Angel of The Morning" is such a beautiful song, even with its sadness. I always thought it belongs to Merrilee Rush, and, I still prefer her cut of the song. Evie's recording is very nice, and, once again I ask why it didn't chart! I have to thank her for the song that did eventually come forward by artists Merrilee and Juice Newton.
All of Evie's songs in this 2-part tribute are very good, and I am glad to have
been a part of this well deserved salute.
My favorite Evie song is still "Run Home to Your Mama". Evie jumps out there with her energy and backup dancers, giving the song a true meaning. I love to hear her speaking voice in the song (pre-Blondie), which only makes it better. Evie is truly a talent to have been reckoned with, and I am sorry she wasn't brought to the limelight back in the day. Maybe her young age contributed to being left a bit behind. Sometimes girl groups and soloists had to take a back seat to more up and coming artists with big name agents and promoters.
Thank you Shady, for this very entertaining and educational series. I always like meeting artists that are not really "new", but new to me from years ago. Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend!
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteIt's great to see you, dear friend! Thanks for coming over on your Saturday to check out Part 2 of Evie Sands.
Don't feel badly about not remembering Evie from the 60s. I have only the vaguest recollection of her myself. I remember finding one of her A&M singles in the cut-out bin of Woolworth's where you could buy those shrink-wrapped packs with 10 records for only 99 cents. That's how poorly her records were selling back then.
I'm thrilled that you like "Take Me For A Little While" so much. I forgot to tell you last time that some 15 years ago I bought a copy of Evie's Blue Cat label "Take Me For A Little While" single on eBay. I had been searching for "I Can't Let Go," the uncharted Blue Cat 45 that is even more coveted by collectors. As I recall "Can't Let Go" was priced in the $30 to $60 range depending on the condition of the disc. That was a bit too steep for me at the time, and so I opted for "Take Me" which cost $20-something and was graded near mint. I am proud to have it in my personal collection.
I'm glad you brought up the go-go dancers behind Evie. In the five different performance clips that I posted in this two part series, you were able to watch two different sets of dancers, those on Shivaree and "The Gazzarri Dancers" on Hollywood A Go-Go. Both of those teen-oriented music programs originated in LA. I much prefer the Shivaree dancers to the Gazzarri girls. Watching the Gazzarri dancers is like watching an exercise class. With their wild, ape-like gestures, The Gazzarris were more athletic than artistic. Although for some reason I never saw Shivaree in my youth, I like everything about that show. The dancers and studio audience occupy a multi level platform structure in the background, making for a grand spectacle. One of the blonde Shivaree dancers you see in those vids is future acting star Teri Garr of Tootsie, Young Frankenstein and Close Encounters fame.
Merrillee Rush's version of "Angel" is the one you and I knew in our youth. It stands to reason that it is our favorite of the three. I do believe most unbiased listeners hearing all three recordings for the first time would still choose Merrillee's record as the overall best, and I agree.
In this post you got to see Evie's swagger as she performed that song you liked hearing so much in Part 1 - "Run Home." I was very excited to find stereo remasters of all these rare Evie performance clips. Yessum, now that you mention it, Evie does remind me of Debbie Harry doing her solo partly sung/partly spoken song "Backfired."
In the final analysis I think Evie's lack of major success was due to the struggling record labels she worked for plus the changing times, the chart domination of The Beatles and British Invasion acts and the rise in popularity of American bands and of Motown. Many "old school" solo artists took a beating during this period including Elvis and Ricky.
I'm delighted that you got so much out of the series, Suzanne. Thank you again for joining the party. Stick around for another two-parter beginning next Wednesday as I salute another talented songstress, this one in England. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, dear friend Suzanne!
Happy Saturday my friend. What a wonderful sound Evie has. I like her version of "But You Know I Love You" better than Kenny Rogers, I think. I know the Merrilee Rush version of "Angel" the best and still prefer hers slightly but Evie comes way before Juice Newton. I have to laugh at the go-go dancers in the background. Sometimes it seems they have way too much energy to fit the tempo of the songs. Takes me way back to watch those clips.
ReplyDeleteHope you and the Mrs. are doing well. I have been busy, busy, busy with a big work project. I am grateful for the work but would have preferred it to be spaced out a little better. My flying fingers are about to fall off! Have a great rest of your weekend good buddy.
Janet’s Smiles
Hi, Janet!
DeleteThanks so much for coming, dear friend!
I'm excited that you enjoyed Evie Sands' version of "But You Know I Love You." I agree that it rivals or eclipses that of Kenny & The First Edition. Released on A&M Records, Evie's single never escaped from the Bubbling Under basement!
I'm pleasantly surprised that the two older renditions of "Angel Of The Morning" are favored by you and other friends who have commented. I expected everyone to like Juice's version best.
I'm glad you mentioned the dancers shown on those Evie Sands lip sync performance clips. As I told Suzanne (above) the Gazzarri dancers on H-wood A Go-Go were, in my opinion, way too gymnastic with their dance moves. Their gesticulations mimic those of apes at times, not feminine at all! The dancing girls on Shivaree are more graceful and easier to watch. They don't distract the viewer's attention away from the singer.
I hope by now the air has cleared in your area. The fact that you didn't bring it up gives me hope that is the case. I'm pleased to know you are keeping busy. Knowing you are swamped makes me appreciate your visit and comment all the more.
Thanks again and enjoy the rest of your weekend, dear friend Janet!
Geez Shady, I don't know how this post slid by me! I enjoyed the first part and I'm glad I saw part 2 before it was too late! Her voice always takes me by surprise because looking at her you just don't see that strong, vibrant sound that comes out. I'm still baffled as to why she didn't make it. Especially when so many others used her music and made hits out of them. I guess the stars really do have to align perfectly. That's probably why I haven't won the lottery...the stars aren't going my way..and the fact I don't purchase tickets. I guess that would help huh. Anyway, I enjoyed the tunes and her voice plus she's such a beauty! Have a good weekend Shady! It's warmer up here until Monday when it cools to regular Fall. I hope your weather is a teensy bit cooler for you!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteThanks for coming by to experience Part 2 of Evie Sands, dear friend!
Another reader remarked that Evie looked a bit like Karen Carpenter. Both women were capable of producing robust vocals. Yessum, in the record business or most any other field of endeavor, success is a combination of talent & preparedness, connections and a good luck. Evie had plenty of talent but didn't have the best companies backing her as a recording artist. She was lucky to land appearances on those hot music TV shows for teenagers - Shivaree and Hollywood A Go-Go - but her luck ran out when it came to radio play and record sales.
Ha! I had been playing the Power Ball lottery for years, ever since it came to Florida. Every week I played the same numbers. A couple of months ago, Mrs. Shady complained that I was throwing money away and made me stop buying tickets. A few weeks after I stopped playing, my numbers matched 4 numbers in a drawing. I would have won $100! I wasn't happy with Mrs. Shady. :)
Our temperature this morning is still uncomfortably warm and humid. Please send cold fronts and post pictures of fall leaves and SNOW! :) Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend YaYa, and have a wonderful week!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteI listened to these Evie selections this morning while catching up. I do believe I recall hearing Evie's "Angel Of The Morning" in recent years. No doubt either on BoTB or 4M or it's entirely possible that you shared it. I'm horrible with remembering details but I do remember Evie singing this song. I enjoyed all of her featured tunes. It's a shame she didn't bust the industry wide open with her talented vocals. Thanks for sharing this amazing woman's mewsic with me! Have tunetastic week, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for returning to check out Part 2 of my Evie Sands tribute, dear friend!
I don't think you first heard Evie sing "Angel" on one of my posts. As I mentioned in Part 1, I think the last time I posted any of her material was New Year's Day 2010. You and I didn't meet until four or five years later. Maybe her version was presented in somebody's band battle.
I'm pleased that you enjoyed listening to the rest of Evie's recordings. Although she had a few minor hit singles later in the 70s, I believe the songs selected for this two-parter represent her career best.
Thanks again for swinging by, dear friend Cathy. Enjoy your day and I'll see you tomorrow over at CAAC!