Little Iva & Her Band/CONTINENTAL STRUT/'61; Bobby Taylor/OH, I'VE BEEN BLESS'D/'70*

[Methuselah2]

Heard these 2 recordings today for the first time--played back-to-back on SKY.FM CLASSIC MOTOWN.

Little Iva & Her Band/CONTINENTAL STRUT [1961]
Written by Brian Holland, Robert Bateman, & William Mitchell

Thanks to Pepere18Popcorn for this YouTube posting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHJ9HAqFlsA

And . . .

Bobby Taylor/OH, I'VE BEEN BLESS'D [1970*]
Written by Lena Manns & Frank Wilson

Thanks to NutsliteVenueRoma for this YouTube posting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqhEWC5-Xv4

________________
*Release year of single [[B-side of BLACKMAIL); from album released in 1969.

[thomas96]

You just heard "Oh I've Been Bless'd" for the first time!!! Such a fantastic tune. As is the a-side, Blackmail.

[Methuselah2]

That's me, alright. Often late to the party--but, eventually, I get there. And I agree, Thomas--great tune. Glad it didn't get completely away from me. Radio's certainly a wonderful thing.

[no_place_like_motown]

Meth,

"Oh. I've Been Blessed" was also recorded by Martha & The Vandellas, the 4 Tops and the Jackson 5. It was a great song and I liked all 4 versions!!

[Methuselah2]

Holy smokes! Thanks Nplm. I've got some catchin' up to do today! But it looks like it should be very enjoyable. Thanks very much for steering me in the direction of the other versions.

[thomas96]

That's me, alright. Often late to the party--but, eventually, I get there. And I agree, Thomas--great tune. Glad it didn't get completely away from me. Radio's certainly a wonderful thing.

Well, there's so much amazing music, great songs get away from everyone! I don't know where I'd be today without the radio...

[thomas96]

Meth,

"Oh. I've Been Blessed" was also recorded by Martha & The Vandellas, the 4 Tops and the Jackson 5. It was a great song and I liked all 4 versions!!

The Four Tops version was actually just Levi with the Vandellas backing.

[phil]

From DFTMC :

Oh, I've Been Bless'd [[Frank Wilson-Lena Manns) publ. Jobete

Bobby Taylor; recorded Hitsville-GW, completed 13-Sep-68 ; produced by Frank Wilson ; arranged by Paul Riser, Wade Marcus

[unreleased]; 45 [[M): Gordy G 7088 A [released on VIP25053]
Jul-69; LP [[S): Gordy S942 Taylor Made Soul
08-Jan-70; 45 [[M): V.I.P. 25053 A [scheduled for Gordy 7088]
23-Mar-98; CD [[M): Debutante 530 814 2 This Is Northern Soul! Volume 2 [UK]
02-May-05; CD [[M): Motown 067 024 2 This Is Northern Soul! The Motown Sound Volume 1 [UK]
01-May-06; CD [[S): Motown 983 8511 The Motown Anthology [UK]
06-Dec-07; CD [[M): Hip-O Select B0010270-02 The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 9 1969

Four Tops; recorded Hitsville-GW, completed 15-Jun-68 ; produced by Frank Wilson ; accompaniment Martha & The Vandellas

25-Sep-01; CD [[S): Motown 314 556 225 2 Fourever

The Jackson 5; recorded Hitsville-GW, completed 11-Feb-70 ; produced by Bobby Taylor

07-Aug-01; CD: Motown 014 380 2 Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5 / ABC

The Vandellas; recorded Hitsville-GW, completed 25-Jul-68 ; produced by Frank Wilson

11-Mar-05; CD [[M): Hip-O Select B0003616-02 Spellbound: Motown Lost & Found

[soulwally]

Blessed just explodes from the off. And probably one of the last tranche of recordings to have 'that Motown sound', you know that pounding 1965/66 Snakepit sound.

[Methuselah2]

Phil - Thank you for the nitty gritty. That DFTMC site--nothing quite like it. And the work and research involved must be overwhelming--and yet there it is. Quite an accomplishment.

[marv2]

I always loved Bobby of the Vancouvers version of "Oh I've Been Blessed". Levi and the Tops do an incredible job with it as well.

[phil]

You're welcome Methuselah. Yes, DFTMC is a paradise for Motown lovers !