How Sarah Got Her Groove Back - Vol. 5: Betcha By Golly Wow it's Jackie

Jackie, hmm, hey what you doing now

It seems like yesterday, when we were working out

Jackie, oh, you set the world on fire

You came and gifted us

Your love it lifted us higher and higher

Keep it up, and we'll be there at your side

Oh, say you will, sing your songs

For evermore, evermore, evermore

Gonna be some sweet sounds

Comin' down, on the nightshift

I bet you're singing proud

Oh, I bet you'll pull a crowd

Gonna be a long night (Gonna be a long night)

It's gonna be alright, on the nightshift

You found another home

I know you're not alone, on the nightshift 

Welcome to vol. 5 of my series

HOW SARAH

GOT HER GROOVE BACK!

NADV 1502031AM1 Sarah Collins. Picture : Adrian Murray (1502031AM1)

Sarah Collins, as you recall, is the mum of two in Yorkshire,

England, who underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor,

bounced back to health and became a YouTube sensation

in recent years with shot-at-home videos in which she

sings covers of Northern Soul favorites.

Sarah also appears at clubs
in England and other parts
of Europe fronting the
Northern Soul band
Keep The Faith.
So inspired am I by
Sarah's touching story
and her soulful singing
that I created this series
to showcase her covers
along with the originals.

 JACKIE WILSON 

The song "Reet Petite (The Sweetest Girl in Town)" was originally

subtitled "The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet." The up tempo

1957 R&B ditty was co-written by Motown founder Berry Gordy

and recorded by Jackie Wilson. It was Jackie's first solo hit after

leaving his post as lead singer for Billy Ward & His Dominoes.

Strange as it seems, "Reet Petite" failed to register on the R&B

chart, but reached #62 pop and brushed the top 5 in the UK! 

 "Reet Petite" - Jackie Wilson 

 (Sept. 1957, highest chart pos. #62 Hot 100/#6 UK) 

 SARAH COLLINS 

Now listen to Sarah Collins' cover of "Reet Petite," the

song made popular by The Titan of Soul, Jackie Wilson.

 "Reet Petite" - Sarah Collins cover 

 JACKIE WILSON 

In vol. 4, Sarah covered three Etta James songs. Today Sarah

will do a second Jackie Wilson number. This one is Jackie's

signature song. In the fall of 1967, "(Your Love Keeps

Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" topped the R&B

chart and brushed the top 5 on the pop survey. 

 "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" 

 Jackie Wilson (October 1967, highest chart pos. 

  #6 Hot 100 & Cash Box/#1 R&B) 

 SARAH COLLINS 

Now here's Sarah's rousing rendition of Jackie Wilson's

big crossover hit "Higher And Higher." 

 "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" 

  Sarah Collins cover 

 THE STYLISTICS 

In 1972, Philadelphia's smooth, sweet soul group The Stylistics,

featuring the lead vocals of Russell Thompkins Jr., gained their

first top 3 crossover hit with a cover of "Betcha By Golly Wow,"

a song originally recorded by actress and pop singer Connie

Stevens. Released in 1970, Connie's single was entitled

"Keep Growing Strong." Here are The Stylistics on

Soul Train doing their soulful cover. 

 "Betcha By Golly Wow" - The Stylistics 

 (Apr./May 1972, highest chart pos. #2 R&B, 

 #3 Hot 100/#4 Cash Box, performance on 

 Apr. 13, 1974, episode of Soul Train) 

 SARAH COLLINS 

Now listen to Sarah's cover of the Stylistics'

tender soul ballad "Betcha By Golly Wow." 

 "Betcha By Golly Wow" - Sarah Collins cover 

I hope you enjoyed the originals

along with the killer kovers by

my good friend in England

Sarah Collins.

Have a Shady day!

How Sarah Got Her Groove Back -Vol. 4: The More Etta... the Betta!

Welcome to vol. 4 of my series

HOW SARAH

GOT HER GROOVE BACK!

NADV 1502031AM1 Sarah Collins. Picture : Adrian Murray (1502031AM1)

Sarah Collins, as you recall, is the mum of two in Yorkshire, England,
who underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor, bounced back to health
and became a sensation on YouTube in recent years with shot-at-home
videos in which she sings covers of Northern Soul favorites.

Sarah also appears at clubs
in England and other parts
of Europe fronting the
Northern Soul band
Keep The Faith.
So inspired am I by
Sarah's touching story
and her soulful singing
that I created this series
to showcase her covers
along with the originals.

 ETTA JAMES 

In this special edition of How Sarah Got Her Groove Back, Sarah sings

covers of three songs made famous by Etta James, the bluesy R&B singer

who recorded dozens of R&B and pop hits in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

In 1962 Etta James had a top 5 R&B hit with "Something's Got
A Hold On Me," a recording that combines elements of soul, blues
and gospel, with backing singers that sound like a church choir.

 "Something's Got A Hold On Me" - Etta James 

 (Mar./Apr. 1962, highest chart pos. #4 R&B/#37 Hot 100) 

 SARAH COLLINS 

Now here is Sarah Collins with her capable cover

of Etta James' "Something's Got A Hold On Me."

 "Something's Got A Hold On Me" 

 Etta James cover by Sarah Collins 

 ETTA JAMES 

In 1988, Etta James released her 17th studio album Seven Year Itch.

The title of the funk/soul project refers to her comeback after going

some seven years without a recording contract. One of the songs

on Seven Year Itch is the smoldering ballad "Damn Your Eyes."

 "Damn Your Eyes' - Etta James 

 (from 1989 album Seven Year Itch) 

 SARAH COLLINS 

Now here's Sarah doing some sassy soul singing

on her version of Etta's "Damn Your Eyes."

 "Damn Your Eyes" 
 Etta James cover by Sarah Collins 

 ETTA JAMES 

Today "Seven Day Fool" is one of Etta James' best known songs, especially popular

on the UK Northern Soul and Mod scenes. However at the time of its release as a

single in late 1961, "Seven Day Fool" drew very little attention. An R&B record,

"Seven Day Fool" failed to reach the black chart, and it barely made a dent in

the Hot 100, peaking at #95. "Seven Day Fool" performed better on the

Cash Box survey where it finished in the minor hit range at #75.

 "Seven Day Fool" - Etta James 

 (Dec. 1961, highest chart pos. #95 Hot 100/#75 Cash Box) 

 SARAH COLLINS 

Now once again, Sarah Collins channels the late,

great Etta James, doing "Seven Day Fool."

 "Seven Day Fool" 
 Etta James cover by Sarah Collins 

 EMMA EVELINE 

I have two bonus tracks for you! First I am proud to present my most recent

discovery, Emma Eveline, a singer and actress in The Netherlands. Please watch

her brief one minute cover of Etta James' "Something’s Got A Hold On Me."

 "Something’s Got A Hold On Me" 

 Etta James cover by Emma Eveline 

 (Apr. 2020) 

 ANDREI CERBU & 

 BEATRICE FLOREA 

Last but not least, here is bonus song #2, another version of Etta James'

"Something's Got A Hold On Me" just released this week by the exciting

Romanian duo of guitarist Andrei Cerbu and zesty singer Beatrice Florea.

 "Something's Got A Hold On Me" 

 Etta James cover by Andrei Cerbu & Beatrice Florea 

 (May 2020) 

I hope you liked the Etta James

originals along with the killer kovers

by my good friend in England

Sarah Collins

... and I hope you enjoyed
meeting Dutch singer

Emma Eveline

and watching the latest performance
by the up-and-coming Romanian duo

Andrei Cerbu & Beatrice Florea.

Have a Shady day!

How Sarah Got Her Groove Back, Vol. 3: Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy!

Welcome to volume 3 of my series

How Sarah Got Her Groove Back!

NADV 1502031AM1 Sarah Collins. Picture : Adrian Murray (1502031AM1)

Sarah Collins, as you recall, is the mum of two in Yorkshire, England,
who underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor, bounced back to health
and became a sensation on YouTube in recent years with shot-at-home
videos in which she sings covers of Northern Soul favorites.

Sarah also appears at clubs in England
and other parts of Europe fronting the
Northern Soul band Keep The Faith.
So captivated am I by Sarah's story
and soulful singing that I created
this series to showcase her covers
along with the original versions.

 THE TAMS 

The five man Atlanta R&B group The Tams derived their name from
the tam o'shanter's caps they wore on stage. The Tams specialized
in Carolina Beach Music, the style of music and dance

(the shag) popular in the Southeastern U.S.

The Tams' biggest hit came at the
beginning of 1964 when "What Kind
of Fool (Do You Think I Am)" reached
the top 10, no small feat at the height

of Beatlemania. The group landed their
last record on the Hot 100 in 1968.
"Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy"
was a minor pop hit and penetrated
the top 30 on the R&B chart.

 "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy" 
 The Tams (July 1968, highest chart 
 pos. #61 Hot 100/#26 R&B) 

 SARAH COLLINS 

Now listen to the exuberant cover performed

by the UK's singing mum, Sarah Collins.

 "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy" 
 Tams cover by Sarah Collins 

 WILSON 

 PICKETT 

Raw, gritty and sweaty are three
adjectives that describe the singing
style of Wilson Pickett, nicknamed
The Wicked Pickett by Atlantic
records executive Jerry Wexler.
In late winter of 1966, Pickett
topped the R&B chart with

"634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.),"
written by Memphis greats

Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper.

 "634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)" - Wilson Pickett 

 (Feb/Mar. 1966, highest chart pos. #1 R&B/#13 Hot 100) 

 SARAH COLLINS 

Now here's Sarah Collins, a zinger who never phones it in,

with her exciting rendition of "634-5789."

 "634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)" 
 Wilson Pickett cover by Sarah Collins 

 MARVIN GAYE 

 AND KIM WESTON 

By 1964 Marvin Gaye was an established
hit maker for Motown. In the spring of
the year, Marvin released a hit double-
sider as a duo with Mary Wells, "Once
Upon a Time" and "What's The Matter
With You Baby." Both sides cracked
the top 20. At the beginning of 1967
Marvin teamed up with Kim Weston
and scored his biggest duet single to

date, reaching the R&B top 5 with

"It Takes Two," a slab that was also
Marvin's first major hit in the UK.

 "It Takes Two" - Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston 

 (Feb. 1967, highest chart pos. #14 Hot 100/#4 R&B, 
 dancers on Jan. 1967 ep. of American Bandstand) 

START PLAYING VIDEO

AT 1:15 MARK!

 SARAH COLLINS 

Now once again here is featured artist Sarah Collins

with her interpretation of "It Takes Two."

 "It Takes Two" 
 Marvin Gaye/Kim Weston cover by Sarah Collins 

I hope you enjoyed
the originals along with
these killer kovers by my
good friend in the UK

Sarah Collins.

Have a Shady day!