If anybody on here has not heard of this legend by now what galaxy have you been living on ?..Amazingly only recorded 5 albums with nearly 80 45,s and EP,s. This was his last studio album with all songs written by Allen Toussaint and recorded in Allens studio. "Night People" is the last hurrah of a man who had an amazing recording career. At this stage of the game, Lee Dorsey was touring with The Clash while never losing touch with what made his such a likable and listenable recording artist. Lee Dorsey: forever the working class hero for the soul lover. There's an 8-year gap between "Night People" and its predecessor "Yes We Can", and the musical landscape for soul music had changed dramatically over that time-span. Night People doesn't sell itself out to the disco and sunday pop that was killing soul music at the time, but it does make steps to stay musically relevant in its time. Producer and songwriter Allen Toussaint throws down a kind of funky Al Green vibe for the album. It's not exactly the laid back New Orleans funk 'n groove that Lee Dorsey masters, but it's still a sound he can be in control of. The effervescent approach of Lee Dorsey perfectly encapsulates the infectious charm of early-'60s New Orleans R&B. Dorsey specialized in good humored music with a touch of second line funk thrown in to make it all the more irresistible. Although he had already waxed a couple of singles, he caught the country by surprise in 1961 with his deceptively simply nursery-rhyme-style "Ya Ya" on Bobby Robinson's Fury label. Arranged by prolific New Orleans pianist Allen Toussaint, the track became an R&B chart-topper and a major pop hit to boot. Dorsey's laconic vocal charms served him well on "Ya Ya" and the Earl King penned follow-up "Do Re Mi," and the mid-'60s found him working with Toussaint on the funky smashes "Ride Your Pony" and "Working in a Coal Mine," this time for Amy Records. It's little remembered that Dorsey was responsible for the original 1970 version of Toussaint's "Yes We Can," revived to much greater acclaim by the Pointer Sisters (who tacked on an extra "Can"). From all accounts, Dorsey remained an exceedingly humble R&B star who preferred tinkering with cars to extensively touring the country. Dorsey was born in New Orleans on December 24, 1924 (although some sources list 1926), and moved to Portland, Oregon, at age ten. After serving in the Navy during WWII, Dorsey returned to Portland and became a successful light heavyweight boxer, fighting under the name "Kid Chocolate." He retired from boxing in 1955 and returned to his birthplace, where he eventually opened a successful auto body shop. He pursued a singing career by night, and wound up recording singles for several different labels, most of which made little noise (although "Lottie Mo" sold respectably). In 1961, he signed with Bobby Robinson's Fury label, where he entered the studio with producer Allen Toussaint for the first time. Dorsey's nonsense ditty "Ya Ya" -- reportedly inspired by a children's rhyme became his first national hit that year, reaching the pop Top Ten and hitting number one on the R&B charts. Despite its popularity, following it up turned out to be difficult, and with a large family to support,Dorsey returned to his auto repair business after a few more singles flopped. Still, Allen Toussaint loved Dorsey's voice, and kept him in mind for future sessions.Toussaint's hunch paid off in 1965 when, signed to the Amy label, Dorsey turned "Ride Your Pony" into a Top Ten R&B hit. The accompanying album of the same name sold respectably as well, and Dorsey began cutting a multitude of Toussaint compositions, often with the legendary New Orleans funk ensemble the Meters as his studio backing band. The New Lee Dorsey was released later in 1966, and supplied Dorsey's best-known song, the irresistible "Working in a Coalmine" (which he co-wrote with Toussaint). With its clanking sound effects and Dorsey's comic exclamations, "Working in a Coalmine" became his second Top Ten pop hit and signature song, and Dorsey toured internationally with the Meters backing him up. A few follow-ups, particularly "Holy Cow" and "Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky (From Now On)," met with some success, but Dorsey was once again hard pressed to duplicate his big hit, and once again left music for the practical concern of running his business. 1970's Yes We Can (on Polydor) was his last album for some time, with the title track becoming his last chart single. On the "Night People" album ,(FEATURED HERE) After guesting on the Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes cut "How Come You Treat Me So Bad?," Dorsey attempted a comeback in 1977 with the ABC album Night People, which wasn't a commercial success despite mostly positive reviews. Still, it was enough to land him supporting slots on tours by the likes of James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, and even the Clash, whose 1980 tour was his last major concert jaunt. In the meantime, other artists mined his back catalog for covers: "Working in a Coalmine" was redone by robotic new wavers Devo and country duo the Judds; "Ya Ya" by Ike & Tina Turner, John Lennon, and Buckwheat Zydeco; "Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky (From Now On)" by jazzman Lou Donaldson; and "Yes We Can" by the Pointer Sisters (under the new title "Yes We Can Can"). Dorsey continued to perform sporadically, as opportunities presented themselves, until he contracted emphysema; he died in New Orleans on December 1, 1986.
AMM
**********REQUEST**********
The Taster!
Tracks Below
24 comments:
Thanks AMM. All songs by Toussaint is very nice touch here.
Its not his best work, but his cover of the Toussaint penned Night People is worth getting it for that nugget alone. You are 100% correct though - its a hard one to find. Many thanks, AMM!
Thanks AMM for the review!
I know this artist throug his 60's recordings only, so this albmu is a total discovery for me !
Ui, At least 4 Lee Dorsey-Tracks are in my personal Top 50 of all times, so I'm always curious about his stuff. Thanks again AMM :) 🌞☮️✌🏻
Many thanks for this rarity.
One Lee Dorsey album I haven`t got! Thanks for the great review, nice birthday present for tomorrow!
Lee Dorsey never fails to deliver the goods. Thanks AMM for the review.
Many Thanks For Matching This With Allen Toussaint's !
Thank you very much AMM for this album
Thank you AMM for this great review!!
Thanks for the review
many thanks for this mellow 70s New Orleans classics AMM
Thanks for sharing this interesting review
Nice selection amm thanks for the remind!
Many Thanks ,Working in a Coal Mine is very famous
It's one of those albums I suspect I'll listen to once and never get round to listening to again, I hope I'm wrong.
Still got the lp with most of Chocolate Milk backing him!
Hi AMM thanks for the review, love the taster
Lee Dorsey is a great name in soul circles. I enjoyed his music and as usual your review is great. Looking forward to hearing these tracks. Thank you AMM.
Thanks for the review MM.
cheers,ELtel
Many thanks for sharing this AMM
Reb
I have not got this LP in digital form. Thanx for sharing!
This not a bad album just his timing his collaborations with Allen Toussaint worked well great review AMM
Cheers Pedro
Post a Comment