Kent 278 - Barbara & The Browns - Can't Find Happiness(2007)-Rare Soul

A four-girl family group out of Memphis,led by Barbara Brown,was first known as the
Brown Sisters,but by the time they enjoyed their first and only charted single,Big
Party,in 1964(first on Wil Mo,then leased to Stax it peaked at # 97-pop charts)they
had become Barbara & the Browns,and later on it would be only Barbara Brown on a
couple of labels (Atco and Tower).
This 20-track compilation has eight previously unreleased cuts(three of them are
alternative takes),and it can roughly be divided into two parts.The first one covers
releases on such labels as Cadet,Atco and Tower between 1966 and '68 including most
of the unreleased songs,and the second one offers singles on XL and Sounds of Memphis
from 1971 and '72.
If you're into raw and horn-heavy Memphis sound with intense and gospel-infused
singing,then this set is for you.Although Barbara's six Stax sides(from '64 and '65)
are not included,there is more than a fair share of big-voiced deepies to satisfy
your soul - "Can't Find No Happiness", "It Hurts Me So Much", "If I Can't Run To You
I'll Crawl","I Don't Want To Have To Wait"(this one has appeared on a number of compilations
before),"Pity A Fool","Big Party","Play Thing" and "Great Big Thing".Most of them are placed
in the first part of the CD,but starting from track #7 there are also some toe-tappers,
dancers and stompers on display.The '68 Tower single contains two country-soul sides,
the touching "Things Have Gone To Pieces" and the bluesy "There's A Look On Your Face".
"Can't Find Happiness" was well worth the wait.Atruly Brillaint Colection!

AMM

                                                                                  THE TASTER BELOW!

                                                                     ALL TRACKS ON BACK COVER BELOW