White soul artist Evie Sands was still in her teens
when she made her greatest recordings.
The talented
Brooklyn born
singer, songwriter
and guitarist
deserved stardom,
but it eluded her,
thanks to a series
of career setbacks.
In this 2-part series I am proud to present what I think
are Evie Sands' greatest recordings, most of them
uncharted, along with worthy covers of her
originals made by other artists.
First, here's a rarity - Evie's first record released in June, 1963,
when she was only age 16. With the song slowed down to
popcorn tempo for use in Euro clubs, Evie sounds
a little like Jackie Wilson as she introduces
a new dance called "The Roll."
"The Roll" - Evie Sands (June 1963, uncharted)
Signed to the Blue Cat subsidiary of Red Bird Records,
home to the hit girl group The Shangri-Las, Evie Sands
recorded a song entitled "Take Me For a Little While."
A test pressing fell into the wrong hands and was
shopped to Chicago's Chess Records where R&B
home to the hit girl group The Shangri-Las, Evie Sands
recorded a song entitled "Take Me For a Little While."
A test pressing fell into the wrong hands and was
shopped to Chicago's Chess Records where R&B
vocalist Jackie Ross waxed the song and released
her single a week before Evie's original hit the
street. Radio stations were split on which
her single a week before Evie's original hit the
street. Radio stations were split on which
version to play. As a result, neither
record became a hit. Here's the
excellent single released
by Jackie Ross.
record became a hit. Here's the
excellent single released
by Jackie Ross.
"Take Me For a Little While" - Jackie Ross
(Aug. 1965, uncharted)
Three years later another version of "Take Me For a Little While" cracked
the top 40, this one by the psychedelic blue-eyed soul band Vanilla Fudge.
the top 40, this one by the psychedelic blue-eyed soul band Vanilla Fudge.
"Take Me For a Little While" - Vanilla Fudge
(Oct. 1968, highest chart pos. #38 Hot 100/#46 Cash Box)
Now, let's listen to the best version of "Take Me" - the original version,
the definitive version, the Evie Sands version - a single that unfortunately
merely Bubbled Under the Hot 100 peaking at #114, In this vintage clip,
Evie performs the song on the music TV show Hollywood A Go-Go.
the definitive version, the Evie Sands version - a single that unfortunately
merely Bubbled Under the Hot 100 peaking at #114, In this vintage clip,
Evie performs the song on the music TV show Hollywood A Go-Go.
"Take Me For a Little While" - Evie Sands
(Aug. 1965, highest chart pos. #114 Bubbling Under,
Oct. 9, 1965, perf. on Hollywood A Go-Go)
Oct. 9, 1965, perf. on Hollywood A Go-Go)
On the back side of Evie's
"Take Me" hides a genuine
killer B.
This one starts out
sounding like Johnny Rivers'
sounding like Johnny Rivers'
version of "Memphis." It also
seems to borrow from R&B
singer Timmy Shaw's 1964
hit "Gonna Send You Back
To Georgia (A City Slick)."
Listen now to Evie Sands
as she rips it up and shouts
the rhythm & blues singing
"Run Home To Your Mama."
"Run Home To Your Mama"
- Evie Sands
(B side of "Take
Me For A Little While")
In April of 1966 the English group the Hollies brushed the American
top 40 and reached #2 on the UK chart with the song "I Can't Let Go."
top 40 and reached #2 on the UK chart with the song "I Can't Let Go."
"I Can't Let Go" - The Hollies
(Apr./May 1966, highest chart pos. #42 Hot 100/#59 Cash Box)
Many people didn't realize back
then and don't know now that
Evie Sands was first to record
the song. I've posted the rare
stereo mix of this sensational
blue-eyed soul classic, a slab
that somehow failed to reach
the chart - didn't even Bubble
Under! Listen now to Shady's
Pick to Click - Evie Sands with
backing vocals by (I believe)
The Jelly Beans as they do--
"I Can't Let Go!"
then and don't know now that
Evie Sands was first to record
the song. I've posted the rare
stereo mix of this sensational
blue-eyed soul classic, a slab
that somehow failed to reach
the chart - didn't even Bubble
Under! Listen now to Shady's
Pick to Click - Evie Sands with
backing vocals by (I believe)
The Jelly Beans as they do--
"I Can't Let Go!"
"I Can't Let Go"
- Evie Sands
- Evie Sands
(Nov. 1965, uncharted)
Let's flip that Blue Cat platter and hear another soulful song by Evie
and see her in another exciting live television performance in 1965.
It's the week before Christmas and Evie is wowing the crowd
on Shivaree testifyin' -- "You've Got Me Up Tight."
and see her in another exciting live television performance in 1965.
It's the week before Christmas and Evie is wowing the crowd
on Shivaree testifyin' -- "You've Got Me Up Tight."
"You've Got Me Up Tight" - Evie Sands
(Nov. 1965, B side of "I Can't Let Go,"
perf. on Dec. 18, 1965, ep. of Shivaree)
Stick around. Coming up in Pt. 2
you'll hear more great recordings
by Evie Sands and other artists
who covered her work.
Have a Shady day!
Hmmmm.... well I'm not sure which version of "Take Me" I prefer. I'll admit on that very first clip of Evie, I was not expecting that voice based on the photos!
ReplyDeleteClearly you are an Evie fan, so I'll just leave it at "the jury is still out".
Hi, Kelly!
DeleteHey, my friend, you are the early bird this week. How about that? Thanks a lot for coming over on your Sunday morning!
The first song/video is slowed down to "popcorn tempo." Popcorn is the word used to describe a style of ballroom dancing that originated in Belgian niteclubs. Club DJs specialize in playing slowed down versions of American recordings, so that explains why Evie's voice sounds like Jackie Wilson's on this particular YouTube upload of "The Roll."
Yessum, I am a longtime fan of Evie Sands. Perhaps when you hear the songs she sings in part two you'll be ready to render your verdict. :) Stick around the the second part coming up at the end of the week.
Thanks again for joining me, dear friend Kelly!
Happy Sunday Shady! I don't remember the name Evie Sands, but I feel pretty sure I've heard a song or two of hers before. I really like the video and performance of "You've Got Me Up Tight". What a great voice! I believe she should have been right up there with Martha and the Vandellas and a few more. She has a strong soulful voice, and a lot of positive energy! And, as you said, Shady, she kind of has that Jackie Wilson "POP"!
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of Vanilla Fudge, and I remember their version of "Take Me for a Little While". I truly liked this song, and how Vanilla Fudge could cover artists and make the songs their own. But, when I heard Evie sing it, I have to agree that she owns it. And, I believe I have heard this one before also.
Even though the Hollies are great and so popular in their day, I wasn't impressed with their cut of "I Can't Let Go". I feel like they were just playing around with the idea of a recording by the ocean! I couldn't listen to the whole song. But give it to Evie, and she brought the song to life! In her words, the meaning is truly there (with some added growls). "The Roll" is a good beginning that gives us a true idea of Evie's talents. She has a strong and soulful voice. I wonder why we didn't see more of her.
Well, Shady, I've saved my fav for last! I liked everything about "Run Home To Your Mama". A hilarious title, but a great musical arrangement, and I love Evie's voice and how she talks throughout the recording. This song has a cool beat-it's my favorite!
So, Shady, I enjoyed this post, and look forward to the next part. I hope you are drying out some, Shady. We aren't getting any downpour from the hurricanes yet, but I believe another one is due to reach our coast on Monday or Tuesday. Thank you for this great concert, and take care dear friend.
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteHappy Sunday to you as well, dear friend! Wow, dearie, you narrowly missed being the early bird this time. Thanks for hustling over so early on day one!
Evie Sands is a vastly underrated and underachieving singer/songwriter. Her recordings aren't played on oldies radio nearly as often as the cover versions made famous by other artists, including bands like the Hollies across the pond. Evie fell victim to a series of bad career breaks like signing with shaky record labels. This helps explain why she didn't become a major star and why relatively few music fans, especially younger ones, don't even know about her.
I first presented Evie Sands on the old blog around a decade ago and I admire her so much that I was compelled to create a new two-parter this year to pay tribute to her. Luckily, in the years since I first posted about Evie, savvy YouTubers have been busy remastering and sync editing her studio recordings and "live" performance clips from TV shows like Hollywood A Go-Go and Shivaree. I discovered enough good quality material to make two posts for Evie this time.
Evie's got blue-eyed soul. She's like a female version of The Righteous Brothers. She brings forth that soul feeling in every song she sings and her songs tell the truth about love, infidelity and loss.
Every time I listen to "The Roll" I like it more. I never heard of the song until a few weeks ago when I was working up this 2-part series. The slowed down version has the best sound quality on YouTube and that's why I used it here. My two Picks To Click are Evie's uncharted single "I Can't Let Go" and the one you singled out, "Run Home." Evie's spoken part rap and soulful swagger make that song and her live TV performance of it classic. I'm pretty sure the Red Bird session/backing singers on Evie's "I Cant Let Go" were the black girl group The Jelly Beans who had a top 10 hit with "I Wanna Love Him So Bad" and a minor hit with "Baby Be Mine." My favorite Jelly Beans side is "The Kind Of Boy You Can't Forget," a cover of the top 20 hit by The Raindrops (the Brill Building husband and wife singing, songwriting team of Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry). I posted that Jelly Beans cover NINE years ago on SDMM!
I'm pretty sure you have told me that you love Eric Burdon And The Animals. If that is indeed so, then you might be familiar with The Animals recording "Gonna Send You Back To Walker," a cover of Timmy Shaw's "Gonna Send You Back To Georgia." The story line of Evie's "Run Home To Your Mama" reminds me of that song, and the instrumental intro reminds me of Johnny Rivers' cover of Chuck Berry's "Memphis, Tennessee."
Lots of Six Degrees tie-ins in my reply, huh? It's fun, and I'm glad you enjoyed watching and listening to Evie Sands in Part 1. Stick around for the Part 2 conclusion coming at the end of the week, and then meet another soulful white warbler on the other side of the Atlantic who also merits a two-part salute.
I hope you and Scootie are enjoying your weekend. Yessum, it has dried out just a bit here in Florida after what seemed like two solid months of daily monsoon rain. I hope we can all get through the rest of the hurricane season unscathed. Keep your fingers crossed.
Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend Suzanne!
Well, I'm back. I was a huge fan of The Jelly Beans "I Wanna Love Him so Bad." I still know the words, and maybe I could still put out a bit of a tiny, whiny voice, haha! However, I prefer the Raindrops "The Kind of Boy You Can't Forget" to the Jelly Beans! Both groups of girls were great in my book.
DeleteShady, I just adore Vanilla Fudge, and I remember their cut of "Take Me For a Little While". They make you want to say "OK!" Do you think they took that from the Jackie Ross version or from Evie? I do like Evie's performance and recording best, because she also draws you in, and a guy would have to say "OK"! I came back to hear both versions again...it's pretty close!
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteThanks for coming back to follow-up, dear friend! Can I count on you for two or more comments per post from now on? :) If you can do FIVE or more follow-up comments per post you will join Jessica Marie in the Shady's Place Patreon Winner's Circle! :)
I'm glad you like The Jelly Beans. If I wasn't sure before that they were indeed the girls singing background on Evie Sands' "I Can't Let Go" I'm sure now because I found this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MypAZMPn4Kc
And WOW - listen to this ultra rare tape of the actual Red Bird/Blue Cat recording session as producer Chip Taylor puts Evie and the Jelly Beans through their paces. Listen at the 40 sec mark and you will hear the Jelly Beans. Then at the 1 minute mark, Evie runs through some of her part. At 1:20 the Jelly Beans ask Chip a question. At 2:20 there are special instructions for The Jelly Beans. At 2:32 the recording begins and I absolutely get goose bumps knowing that greatness is about to come together in the studio like a perfect storm. It's absolutely criminal that Evie's "I Can't Let Go" was not a smash hit. Listen to the whole clip. It's music history in the making!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQGem_3zRFo
My tastes are slightly different from yours, Suzanne. I like Vanilla Fudge, but was not as big a fan as you and other people. I remember seeing their distinctive red, yellow and blue self-titled 1967 debut album everywhere I went during my four years at Penn State. That long play includes this cover of "Take Me For A Little While" along with covers of "You Keep Me Hanging On," "Eleanor Rigby" and others. "Take Me For A Little While" runs only three and a half minutes which is fine, but I thought Vanilla Fudge got carried away a bit on some of their other covers that had TRTs of five, six minutes or even more. When it comes to blue-eyed psychedelic soul bands, I prefer Philly's Soul Survivors.
I also differ from your taste in that I like The Hollies version of "I Can't Let Go." It starts with a great song and, to me, "I Can't Let Go" is a great song. I seem to like it more than you do. At least we both agree on the swaggering "Run Home To Your Mama." In my reply to you above I accidentally jumped ahead of myself and mentioned Evie's "live" version of that B side. It's coming up in Part 2, so please don't peek at it on You Tube. I hunted until I found the best sound quality available for all of these rare vintage Evie Sands TV performances. You will see and hear Evie doing "Run Home" in the next post and I'm betting you'll like the song even more after you watch it.
Thank you again for being such a great friend, Suzanne. It's fun discussing the music of our youth with someone who was there and still cares. Have a great week and I'll see you back here for Evie Part 2!
What a shame so many others recorded her songs, especially the one releasing it a week before the original. I understand multiple versions within a few years were not rare at the time though.
ReplyDeleteHi, Alex!
DeleteThanks for coming early again this week, good buddy!
She was robbed, Evie Sands was. Through no fault of her own, another artist at another label, Jackie Ross, was given Evie's song, waxed it and released it before Evie's original hit the street. DJs across the country couldn't decide which record to play and as a result both versions fizzled. Evie's record performed only slightly better than Jackie's, at least making a dent in the Bubbling Under chart. Pop and rock bands including Vanilla Fudge, The Hollies, Beatles, Stones, Animals and others covered the songs of brown-eyed and blue-eyed soul singers and often gained bigger hits than the original artists.
Thanks again for dropping in, good buddy Alex!
Wow! She can belt out the blues with the best of them. I'm surprised I never heard of her before. This is one career that was mismanaged.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for swinging by, good buddy!
I'm thrilled that you recognize the greatness in Evie Sands. She was and is a bluesy, soulful mama - the real deal - and she deserved a much more successful career. History has been kind. Today Evie Sands has millions of fans, old and new, and is getting her props as one of the most gifted singers and songwriters of the Sixties.
Thanks again for dropping by, Kirk. If you enjoyed this introduction to Evie Sands, stay tuned for more of her songs and vintage performances coming up in Part 2 at the end of the week. I hope to see you then, good buddy!
I think I remember Evie Sands name, but am not sure. I was surprised by her voice which is certainly not the bubble-gum sound of girls/women sound of the 60’s. It is very earthy and different and very cool. I looked her up and saw that she retired from performing in ‘79 but continued writing and producing. Careers don’t ways go as we all want and sometimes it is about luck.
ReplyDeleteHi, Arleen!
DeleteI'm excited to see you, dear friend. Thanks for coming!
I'm delighted that this Part 1 post got you curious about Evie Sands to the point that you did some research on your own. That's a great compliment to a blog host. Yessum, it's true that Evie had a tough go of it early on and didn't reap the success she deserved, but music historians agree that she belongs in the books, not as a no-hit-wonder, but as a gifted song scribe and white soul singer whose record sales and chart performances were in no way indicative of her talent. You're right, Arleen, Evie Sands wasn't a teen popper. She was streetwise with credibility that made other U.S. artists and British bands take notice and borrow her songs (often turning them into hits). Evie didn't just sing - she testified. Her songs told the truth about relationships.
Thanks again for joining the fun and furthering the discussion, dear friend Arleen. Stay tuned for more great Evie Sands studio recordings and live performance clips coming up in Part 2 a few days from now!
Good last day of Summer to you Shady! I enjoyed the songs today and I was surprised by the first one because her voice didn't match her looks! It always amazes me how some artists make hits and others get passed by, overlooked, or just not in the right place at the right time. Although she did write and was featured on a few shows from the 60's. I don't know her but I liked her version of the songs better than the more famous groups versions. I'll look forward to part 2 and learn a few more things about this lovely lady who rocked it at a young age. (I think I sported that "flip" hairdo in my teens!) Have a good week and I hope the hurricanes and tropical storms aren't causing you too much trouble. We could use a bit of than rain! I'll swap and send some of our cool Fall temps down south! Take care Shady!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteI'm delighted to have you over, dear friend! Thanks for checking out Evie Sands, one of the most underrated singers and songwriters of the 60s.
On the first song, the YouTube uploader slowed down the recording to "popcorn" tempo. That's why Evie's voice doesn't match her appearance. To me she sounds like Jackie Wilson. The "popcorn" gimmick was used by deejays in dance clubs in Belgium and other European countries to make the records they played more user friendly to patrons who loved to engage in a style of ballroom touch dancing. Many of the records that received the popcorn treatment were recorded by U.S. artists, and Evie Sands' first single "The Roll" was apparently one of the 45s that was popular in those Euro clubs.
Yessum, Evie Sands slipped through the cracks and never became the major star that she coulda been, woulda been and shoulda been. She had a string of bad breaks in the biz. You'll learn more when her story continues in Part 2 later this week. I'm so glad you recognize her talent.
Yessum, I can picture you with that flip hairdo back in the late 60s and early 70s. (I'm still trying to get over Jack and his blowout hair! :)
So far (knock on wood) the canes and tropical storms have not come barreling through Florida, but we still have a long way to go in the season which lasts half the year. Thanks for the well wishes! I will gladly trade you some of our monsoon rains for a refreshing cold front. :)
Thanks again for being here, dear friend YaYa, and have a wonderful week!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteEvie is new-to-me. She got an early start in the mewsic industry. What a shame she didn't blow the roof off things! She definitely had the talent. I'm curious to know is Jackie Ross related to Diana Ross? I have to ask how is that one recording artist drops the shoe before the original releases such as "Take Me For A Little While"? Jackie's rendition is good but I think I prefer Evie's. Vanilla Fudge, have you used them on your blog before? I love that band name! I look forward to your second part on Evie. Thanks for the introduction, my friend. Stay safe and be well!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteI'm happy to see you, dear friend! Thanks for dropping by to check out the songs and singing style of Evie Sands.
I just now looked it up and discovered that I first ran posts on Evie way back in August of 2009 on the old blog Shady Dell Music & Memories. I don't think I have posted any of her songs since New Year's Day 2010. That was years before you and I became friends, and it helps explain why you never heard of her. Recently I got to thinking that it's high time for me to introduce my new crop of blog friends to this gifted singer and songwriter.
Jackie Ross is less than two years younger than Diana Ross, but the two soul songbirds aren't related. In the 50s and 60s it was common for several artists to record a hot new song at the same time, each hoping their version would be the one to catch on with radio audiences and record buyers. Your question brings to mind The Supremes and their big hit "Come See About Me." A female soul singer named Nella Dodds was robbed of a hit when her version was eclipsed by The Supremes. The Supremes originally released "Come See About Me" in August 1964 as one of the songs on their album Where Did Our Love Go, but it had not yet been issued as a single when Nella Dodds waxed and released it. Wiki picks up the story: << The Supremes, whilst being the first to record the song, were not the first to issue it as a single. That distinction fell to Nella Dodds, and her version started selling, climbing to #74 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, but Motown Records quickly released the Supremes' version as a single, which killed sales of Nella Dodds' version. >>
Yessum, I think I posted a song or two by Vanilla Fudge in the past and no doubt will do so in the future. I'm pleased to know you enjoyed Part 1 of Evie Sands, an artist who languished in relative obscurity while others who covered her work outperformed her on the chart. It was surely a bitter pill for Evie to swallow. Stick around for Part. 2 coming up later this week.
Thanks again for your kind visit and comment, dear friend Cathy!
Tom,
DeleteI didn't start blogging until 2010. We didn't cross paths for many years and I think it was through my BoTB participation that we connected. My first showdown was 6-years ago this past August. This explains why Evie didn't ring bell. I am looking forward to more of her mewsic in Part 2. Have a good day, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for returning to chat, dear friend, and thanks for letting me know when you got started in blogging. Yessum, I am sure that you and I first got acquainted through the band battles in the middle of the 2010s.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of Evie Sands coming dark and early tomorrow morning. Until then have a splendid day, dear friend Cathy!
Hi Shady,
ReplyDeleteI've never heard Evie Sands, but I dig her sound. I really liked "I Can't Let You Go." You definitely provided a great soundtrack today, as I worked from home. :)
I also really dig the Jackie Ross and Hollies sound. I've heard of the Hollies and really like them. You'll provide a great soundtrack tomorrow too.
I hope all is well with you, dear friend.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for dropping in for Part 1 of my two-parter saluting Evie Sands, dear friend! It doesn't surprised me that you never heard of this singer/songwriter of the 60s. Talented as she was and is, she never had a major hit record. I'm betting your dad doesn't know Evie either. Evie could have been a much bigger name, but a series of misfortunes prevented her career from taking off. I'm glad you share my fondness for her song "I Can't Let Go" and that you enjoyed the covers of Evie songs by Jackie Ross and The Hollies. Stick around because there are more Evie originals and covers of her work by other artists coming up this Friday in Part 2.
Thanks again for joining me, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteThat's such a bummer. :( It seems like a lot of talented musicians never make it to the top and sometimes I wonder if it was just meant to be. I'm glad her songs are still around so we can listen to them. I'll be listening to them in the office tomorrow.
Sunday evening to Monday evening is Yom Kippur. I'm dogsitting Thursday until Saturday, so on Friday I'll hop on before Shabbat and take a listen to part II.
Have a great evening, dear friend.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteSounds like a plan. I hope your dogsitting goes well and I also hope you find a lot to like in Evie Part 2 on Friday.
I forgot to mention that I have Evie's Blue Cat single "Take Me For A Little While" in my personal collection. Around 15 years ago I bought a copy in near mint condition and paid a pretty penny. As long as I avoid handling and playing it and keep it in its protective sleeve inside a dust free box, its value will continue to increase. That's the irony of record collecting. You can't have your record and play it, too, because it diminishes the value.
Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteI know. I love Antiques Roadshow and it's drilled in every episode. I have to figure out where mom put the Beanie Babies. I never played with them, but they went on a shelf. I was a different type of child... I knew that some day they could be valuable and I didn't play with them. I love collecting.
I can't wait to take a listen tomorrow! Have a great Thankful Thursday, dear friend.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteIt holds true of all kinds of collectibles. They need to be stored properly to preserve and enhance their value. With vinyl recordings, you should never touch the surface, avoid playing them, keep them in a paper sleeve inside a plastic sleeve, and store them in a sturdy box away from dust, sunlight and sources of heat.
I hope you find those Beanie Babies, and I hope to see you back here tamale for the Pt. 2 conclusion of my report on Evie Sands. See you then, dear friend JM!
So I listened to this gal on Monday but haven’t been able to post until now! This talks voice is amazing and I am shocked that she never became hugely famous because she has a great voice and personality even with that bow dress. I couldn’t believe she was so young in that one video with such a mature voice. Looking forward to part 2
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteI'm happy to see you, dear friend! Thanks for coming down and listening to the first set of songs by the great yet underrated Evie Sands plus artists who covered her work.
It helps for artists to sign with a record company that knows and loves the type of music they perform and is stable enough to get their material recorded, distributed and promoted on a national scale. Unfortunately for Evie, she hooked up with labels that couldn't or wouldn't devote adequate resources to her. More evidence of this is coming up tomorrow in Part 2. Evie's voice sounds low on video #1 because the DJ/uploader deliberately slowed the record to "popcorn" speed for Euro clubbers who prefer ballroom dancing.
Thanks again for dropping by, dear friend BB. Have a good day and I hope to see you again tamale for the conclusion of my tribute to Evie Sands!