A Mixed race group, The Winstons are one of soul music’s best known “one hit wonders”! That “one hit” was of course the ever lovely ‘Color Him Father’ (US spelling). However, it’s that hit single’s B side that has secured the Winstons a place in the music history books. Before I get to that, however, maybe a little history. Originally hailing from Washington DC, the sextet was made up musicians who had (variously) played with people like Otis Redding and the Impressions. In 1968 the Impressions link won them a contract with Curtom Records but their stomping ‘Need A Replacement’ single had little impact. So in 1969 they signed to Metromedia Records where they recorded the sweet and sentimental, Impressions-flavoured ‘Color Him Father’. The song’s naïve sentimentality must have touched a nerve. It quickly became a million seller hitting no. 1 R&B and no. 7 on the US pop 100. Oh, it also won the Grammy for Best R&B song of the year! The follow up, a cover of the John Hurley song ‘Love of the Common People’ was a moderate top 100 hit but keen to cash in on the popularity of ‘Color Him Father’ Metromedia rushed out a Winstons’ album named for their iconic hit. However, the label had difficulties promoting the album and the group soon folded citing difficulties in touring the southern US due to their inter racial line up, and their sole album seemed to sink into obscurity. But the club jocks in the UK ever vigilant have never forgotten this great soul group. The CD has 4 bonus tracks as opposed to the LP...Great Stuff!
AMM
The Tasters!
Line Up
G.C. Coleman (vocals, drums)
Richard Spencer (lead vocals, tenor saxophone)
Ray Maritano (vocals, alto saxophone)
Quincy Mattison (vocals, lead guitar)
Phil Tolotta (second lead, organ)
Sonny Peckrol (vocals, bass guitar)
17 comments:
Thanks AMM for a fine review.
The title "Color Him Father" crushed everything in its path and apart from a few other singles I don't even have their only LP. Thank you for sharing.
Yves
This is a great record! Thanks for review, P.
thanks for sharing
Thamks AMM for the coloUrful review.
Thanks for the rare soul review MM.
cheers,ELtel
I was sure I had this album, but on checking,I was sadly mistaken.
Thanks for this one AMM in the classic section Apparently there is another group around call The Winstons italian Progressive Rock band not my scene
Thanks AMM Cheers Pedro
thank you for the review
Thank you AMM For this Album
Hmm.Very interesting. Don't know them except for the hit. Thank you , AMM.
Very rare and interesting amm, thanks for sharing!
Thanks AMM for a great review
thanks for sharing this fine album AMM
This looks great AMM many thanks Reb
Excellent review and a beautiful tune for Viet Nam era children. thank you so much AMM.
thank you for sharing this review
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