Thoughts on Kim Weston's 1971 release

[woodward]

I recently became aware of this really terrific song by our own Kim Weston. It was recorded in 1971 as a result of Mickey Stevenson's production efforts. This is the first I have heard this song and I think it was a missed opportunity for Kim. Had she recorded this for Tamla, it might have gone somewhere. I like this as much as most other Motown releases.

What do others think of this release?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8Lcr0x25Ic

[motony]

Love it, but was it released? I knew Kim & Mickey had connected with Stax, but I never heard or saw an actual released record.I really loved her released stuff on M G M, esp. "Nobody", I thought that had a chance to be a hit[[if promoted).

[MIKEW-UK]

Yes it was released on Volt [[Stax sub lable).

Flip interestingly was co-written by Mickey and Ronnie Mcneir, and produced by Ronnie.

Click on tab to watch on YouTube!

[MIKEW-UK]

Kim also had an album Kim Kim Kim released on Volt. Clarence Paul and Willie Hutch were involved with others. She also had a second single release on Volt.

[MIKEW-UK]

Entire Kim Kim Kim album posted on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...Kj0tWCVzb6CLBw

[MIKEW-UK]

Kim also performed as a Stax artist at Wattstax. The song Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing was written by Clarence Paul and earlier released on his own Pride lable.

https://jrosamondjohnson.org/shaping...e-at-wattstax/

[MIKEW-UK]

[motony]

I knew she was involved with WattsStax but never saw or heard any Stax/Volt releases. Thanks. Wow, & I use to get a lot of promotion 45's from my friends in radio at the time.

[sansradio]

Kim also performed as a Stax artist at Wattstax. The song Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing was written by Clarence Paul and earlier released on his own Pride lable.

https://jrosamondjohnson.org/shaping...e-at-wattstax/

"Lift Every Voice and Sing" was written in 1900 by brothers James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson and is recognized as the Black [American] National Anthem. In fact, Kim is quoted in your link as having sung the song since she was five years old, which is par for the course for most African-Americans of a certain age. Clarence Paul may have arranged Kim's version.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lift_Every_Voice_and_Sing

[reese]

"Lift Every Voice and Sing" was written in 1900 by brothers James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson and is recognized as the Black [American] National Anthem. In fact, Kim is quoted in your link as having sung the song since she was five years old, which is par for the course for most African-Americans of a certain age. Clarence Paul may have arranged Kim's version.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lift_Every_Voice_and_Sing

My first grade teacher [[love ya, Mrs. Sibley) used to make us sing LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING every morning before class.

When I was a kid, my local soul station used to play Kim's recording every day. If I heard it, I knew the station was getting ready to sign off for the evening.

[sansradio]

My first grade teacher [[love ya, Mrs. Sibley) used to make us sing LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING every morning before class.

When I was a kid, my local soul station used to play Kim's recording every day. If I heard it, I knew the station was getting ready to sign off for the evening.

You've got a lot of company on the Mrs. Sibley tip! God bless her for it.

[MIKEW-UK]

Sansradio, many thanks for the correction. That song has a long and honorable history and significance.

[sansradio]

Sansradio, many thanks for the correction. That song has a long and honorable history and significance.

No worries, mate! Indeed, it does. A college mate of mine wrote a history of the song a few years back:

https://uncpress.org/book/9781469638...forever-stand/

[MIKEW-UK]

May We Forever Stand received very impressive awards and recognition. Thank you.

[BayouMotownMan]

She was an astoundingly good vocalist but she preferred the torch ballads like Love Me All The Way and Just Loving You. Unfortunately, the market at the time just wasn't into that. She did well fronting the Funk Bros and Andantes on firey dance numbers like I'm Still Loving You and her own A Thrill A Moment. HDH began working with her and the results were great and she finally got some minor hits with Take Me In Your Arms and Helpless. Mainstream America finally heard her with Marvin on It Takes Two, a big hit record. Unfortunately, she followed her husband to another label, both of whom were dissatisfied with her lack of success at Motown. This was unfortunate and sealed her fate. Had she stayed she surely would have inherited the great Ashford and Simpson productions that were given to Tammi. She had some success on Broadway but her voice was phenomenal and she should have enjoyed more hits. I read Mickey's autobiography. It is very telling.

[mysterysinger]

Yes Kim's "If I Had It My Way" is a great song - and performance by Kim.