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  Rodmann (rodmann) 3-Pundit Username: rodmann Post Number: 46 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.221.46.129 |
I read somewhere online years and years ago that Benny Latimore was dead! I had my suspicions about this but I never was never able to find any information to confirm that he was alive so I just assumed that it was true. All I could locate was old articles about him from the early 90's and before and articles about his son Kenny. I've even asked about Benny a few times on this forum and I got no responses. Imagine my surprise today when I'm reading the album credits to Joss Stone's new album "The Soul Sessions" and I see that Benny Latimore played piano on several songs! LATIMORE IS ALIVE! I can't believe that one of my favorite musicians who's recorded classics like 'Let's Straighten It Out', 'Keep The Home Fire Burnin', 'Sweet Vibrations', 'Somethin Bout Cha', etc is still alive and working! Latimore's got the perfect male singing voice to me. It's not high (I don't care for falsettos at all) but it's not too deep. It's not so smooth that it puts you to sleep but it's not too rough either. The man is bad! And he plays a mean keyboard! Now that I know he's alive it's sparked a whole new interest in his music for me! Has anyone bothered to put his late 60's singles for the Dade label on CD yet? All of the Dade singles I've heard by him have been fantastic! My favorite (and one of the most prized 45's in my collection) is a song called 'The Power And The Glory' (Dade 2017). It's a moody, churchy ballad with great organ playing and Benny gives an outstanding performance on it. I know you've heard this before but this tune REALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A BIG HIT! I'd love to hear it remastered on CD someday, along with all of his other Dade singles. Everyone, feel free to discuss your thoughts on Latimore. A discography of all of his singles would be nice too! Thanks.  | ||
Eva (bigswede2002) 1-Arriviste Username: bigswede2002 Post Number: 9 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.226.54.68 |
Hi Rodmann, Latimore is a great fave of mine as well-I'm especially fond of the albums he recorded in the seventies for Glades. I'm sure there are others here who can give more detailed info, but I can provide you with a discography of Latimore's Dade singles: Dade 2013 Girl I Got News For You/Ain't Gonna Cry No More Dade 2014 There She Is/It Was So Nice While It Lasted 2015 It's Just A Matter of Time/Let's Move and Groove Together 2017 The Power and the Glory/Love Don't Love Me 2020 Have a Little Faith/I'm a Believer 2022 I Pity the Fool/I'm Just an Ordinary Man This song was re-issued on the Kent/ACE comp "Our Turn To Cry" with Atlantic deep soul from the vaults. http://66.232.131.72/cgi-bin/S earchCatNo.asp?intSite=1&strPr odID=CDKEND195 2025 I'll Be Good To You/Live's Little Ups and Downs The discography is from Jeff Lemlich's in depth study of the Florida garage rock (and soul scene!), "Savage Lost". Most of this stuff hasn't been re-issued on CD, as far as I know. Latimore is alive and well, and touring, both on the "chitlin' circuit" and abroad. If you go to the Malaco web site you'll find all his Malaco CDs: http://www.shopmalaco.com/blue s/Latimore.html He recently recorded a CD for another label under the title "Latt Is Back", which wasn't that good according to the reviews I've read. I'm sure Heikki and the other southern soul aficionados on the board can fill you in further! Eva | ||
mike s (mike_s) 2-Debutant Username: mike_s Post Number: 14 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.93.33.10 |
Latimore has been recording for Malaco for years now and continues to tour the south of US especially. Don't think his Malaco output is as good as his TK recordings. Malaco seem to have got into a bit of a rut sadly at the moment. | ||
Tony Russi (tony_russi) 1-Arriviste Username: tony_russi Post Number: 8 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 208.61.163.100 |
I've seen Latimore "Live" a few times,once or twice opening for Millie Jackson, and he was very good. My favorite single of his is "Discoed To Death". Its been several years since I really heard of him playing around here (the Orlando area) which he frequented often in the 80's. | ||
Heikki (heikki) 2-Debutant Username: heikki Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.17.199.27 |
Hi! Benny is doing fine and touring constantly (at least according to the Boogie Report, a message board specializing in southern soul news). I love his output on almost every label he recorded for: his 60s Blade/Dade sides, his 70s Glades material (and here especially a very underrated album, Getting Down To Brass Tacks in 1980) and his later Malaco releases (with my favourite being the '91 The Only Way Is Up cd). Eva is right about his latest cd, though. Although in as good a voice as ever, Latt Is Back (on Brittney Records in 2003) features only a guitarist and a saxman and the rest of the music is created by - at times irritating - machines. His musical companion on the cd is another chitlin circuit hero of today, Mel Waiters. But there's one beautiful ballad on there, the self-written Everyday. Best regards Heikki | ||
Randy Russi (randy_russi) 1-Arriviste Username: randy_russi Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 169.139.180.100 |
Latimore has been around as I saw him perform a few years ago at a club here in Central Florida. Several years ago I saw him open for Millie Jackson--No, he is not dead...Let's Straighten It Out! | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 4-Laureate Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 114 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 141.149.50.175 |
I first discovered Lattimore in 1976 when he made the great Something 'Bout "Cha b/w Sweet Vibrations. I bought his anthology & though he's had many great songs, SBC remains my favorite. I'm glad to see that he's still laying it down. Juice | ||
Kev-Lo (7273747576) 2-Debutant Username: 7273747576 Post Number: 24 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 4.236.237.196 |
Hi this is Kev-Lo hey Juice what's happening I'm glad to hear that this soul legend is still alive and well and I remember that 1976 classic he made Something Bout cha I had it years ago | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 3-Pundit Username: rodmann Post Number: 54 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.221.46.129 |
Wow! Thanks a lot everyone! Eva, I've been looking online for a listing of all of Benny's Dade singles for years with no luck until now! Thanks a lot. I hope that I will own all of those singles someday. He recorded some great stuff on that label. I don't really care for anything on Malaco. Everything I've ever heard on that label seems to sound the same! Every song by any artist sounds exactly the same! If you've heard one thing on Malaco you've heard it all! Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.  Thanks again for the Dade discography Eva. I hope that someone will be able to provide us with a full discography of all of Benny's singles or at least give us a link where we can find one. | ||
keeping soul alive (bosstrainer) 1-Arriviste Username: bosstrainer Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.44.8.100 |
I've been a fan of Latimore since I first picked up his first Glades album in the early 70's and have bought everything by him since. I have been fortunate to meet him and he is a lovely person as well as being an excellent performer who has continued to gig throughout the States. I last saw him in Holland a few years back where he put on a great show and has lost none of his unique voice. There is a full article on him in an issue of In The Basement aound the time he was in Europe. He did do a couple of CD's after Malaco which are worth picking up - I personally like his Malaco material and is worth searching out. I agree that a Dade collection is long overdue and his very rare Blades side would be well appreciated by collectors. I think the tapes may no longer be available though Atlantic did distribute the label for several issues and one of his Dade songs did appear on Atlantic. Colin | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 3-Pundit Username: rodmann Post Number: 61 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.221.46.129 |
Does anyone else think that Benny's 'Sweet Vibrations' knocks off 'What You See Is What You Get' by The Dramatics? Or is it just me? It's still a good song though. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 4-Laureate Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 165 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
What's up Rod!! That double sided record was one of my favorites of '76. Somethin' 'Bout 'Cha will always be my favorite Lattimore song. Sweet Vibrations was so mellow. I hear a similarity with What'Cha See. However, I think that What'cha See had more of a Latin tinge to it. Sweet Vibrations was a bit jazzier, it was smoother going down, real mellow. What'cha See had a much rougher edge to it, more intense. | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 3-Pundit Username: rodmann Post Number: 64 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.221.46.129 |
What's up Juice bro! I don't think that 'Sweet Vibrations' a complete rip-off of 'What You See' but the intro and melody obviously borrowed from "What You See' IMO. You are right though, 'Sweet Vibrations is smoother and jazzier while 'What You See' is a lot more intense. I love 'Somethin 'Bout Cha' to death but my 2nd favorite Latimore tune (after the obscure Dade single 'The Power And The Glory') is 'Keep The Home Fire Burnin'. That's my sssshhhtt! LOL. I never get sick of listening to that song! Perfect vocal, tight and simple production, kick azz groove and lyrics to live by. If you don't "Keep The Home Fire Burnin" your woman will do everything in her power to make life a living hell. LOL. Benny didn't lie! | ||
Eva (bigswede2002) 2-Debutant Username: bigswede2002 Post Number: 14 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 130.237.171.253 |
Hi again, I'm surprised that none of you guys mentioned "Let's Straighten It Out"-but maybe it's a bit too obvious!;-). Anyway, to me it's one of those enduring classics that everyone can relate to. Some time ago I posted a link with Bill Dahl's liner notes to their "chitlin' circuit" comp, and there you can hear Latimore talking about this song and how popular it still is among his audiences: http://www.rhino.com/features/ liners/79999lin.lasso Another fave of mine is "There's a Redneck in the Soul Band", a great party record. The "redneck" is Latimore's guitarist Joey Murcia, and the lyrics is a affectionate tribute to his funky playing. Here's the story about Latimore and Murcia, courtesy of Florida soul expert Jeff Lemlich: The alliance goes all the way back to 1966, when Latimore cut his first single on Henry Stone's short-lived Blade label. (This doesn't count Benny's early 45 on Hit, which technically was his first, but was actually a cheap cover done for Ted Jarrett/Bill Beasley's Nashville sounds-like-the-hits factory). The Birdwatchers had a big year in '66 for Stone's "Scott" label, including a local number one hit with "Girl I Got News For You". Their songs were leased to Mala Records, and they'd made three appearances on ABC-TV's "Where The Action Is" (no doubt because their producer, Steve Alaimo, was a regular on the show). Stone had the publishing on the Birdwatchers' original tunes, so he hooked up Latimore with a Bobby Puccetti (Birdwatchers organist) song for his first solo record. For the follow-up, either Stone or Alaimo suggested that Latimore try the Birdwatchers' "Girl I Got News For You", which gave him a substantial hit in the south. Puccetti, Murcia, and Eddie Martinez (Birdwatchers drummer) started playing on Tone Studios sessions for Latimore and others (including all the early Betty Wright Alston tracks)... so these guys knew each other from way back. Murcia quit the Birdwatchers on New Years Day 1969 and hooked up with a band called Magic, that later recorded for the Rare Earth label. After that ended he became a sought-after session player, doing lots of TK tracks, and becoming an integral part of Andy Gibb's band. End of quote... Finally, here's a funny take on the Florida scene. Dig Cochran's pompadour...I guess only Little Richard could do better in his heyday!;-) http://www.neverglades.com/flo ridasucks/ Eva | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 3-Pundit Username: rodmann Post Number: 67 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.221.46.129 |
Thanks for sharing that neat story about Joey Murcia, Eva. I had no idea that Benny actually did have a "redneck" in his Soul band! I thought that it was just a joke. And that's one hell of a pompadour on the Wayne Cochran guy! Damn! LMAO. I'm gonna have nightmares about it! 'Let's Straighten It Out' is a wonderful Soul classic that so many couples can relate too. I never get sick of hearing that song. It's just that since it is his most well known hit I made it a point to list other good tunes by Latimore that aren't as common. Thank you again for giving me that Benny Latimore on Dade discography Eva. You just don't know how long I've been looking for one. I've never seen one online or in any of my research books. You're great! I really appreciate it. I hope that I will have all of Benny's singles one day. I'm surprised that no one has provided us with a full Latimore discography yet. One of these experts on SDF has to have one. Don't be bashful guys! | ||
Eva (bigswede2002) 2-Debutant Username: bigswede2002 Post Number: 15 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 130.237.171.253 |
Rodmann wrote: >Thank you again for giving me that Benny >Latimore on Dade discography Eva. You just don't >know how long I've been looking for one. I've >never seen one online or in any of my research >books. You're great! I really appreciate it. Aw shucks! I'm blushing....;-). Thanks for your kind words! I'm glad that I could be of help. Eva |
