By Chancellor of Soul (63.78.189.114) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 05:38 pm:

You know I dug the soulful sounds of one of the
most underated artists in R&B.........Ms Laura
Lee !!! How many of you SDer's have any thoughts
about this soulful sister ??????

Peace,
Mike Boone
(Chancellor of Soul)

By motown01 (216.208.81.67) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 05:45 pm:

I love her version of Don't Leave Me Starving For Your Love.

Billy

By Ritchie (62.254.0.8) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 05:51 pm:

One superb vocalist! I understand that Miss Lee has returned to her Gospel roots and now sings for the Lord. I guess this would explain why her recent recut of the classic "To Win Your Heart" (for Ian Levine) has a revised lyric, with a spiritual rather than romantic intent.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 05:55 pm:

I do have a 45 of one of her R&B recordings. I also have a gospel LP she recorded. One of the songs "God Will Take Care of You" is astonishing, and deeply moving.

I've never seen Laura Lee perform as an R&B solo, but I have seen her sing with her mother Ernestine Rundtless with the Meditations.

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=5:55:06|PM&sql=Bezjxlf3e5cqo~C

By Sis (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 05:56 pm:

At times, I can not link correctly.

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 05:57 pm:

Well, I give up. I just went to Allmusic, and searched for "Meditation Singers."

By Dick Gamble (216.93.11.30) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 09:33 pm:

Some of my favorite Laura Lee recordings are:
Need to Belong
Dirty Man (Muscle Shoals sessions)
Hang it Up
It's All Wrong But It's all Right
As Long As I Got You

Laura Lee had a powerful raw and gritty voice

By Ritchie (62.254.0.8) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 03:10 am:

Wow! Someone else who's heard of "As Long As I Got You"! Superb record, which I only have on a 30-year old tape. But still I love it :o)

By David Meikle (213.122.70.9) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 03:39 am:

Sis

Unfortunately the link is too long to copy.

As you say once you're there type in your request.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.105) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 06:21 am:

Hey Mike,
hows it going,
yet another great artist that you mention that I like,I was about to open a thread about her but if you dont mind will put a few things on here.
Laura Lee
Was born in Chicago,
but always considered Detroit as her home after living there from an early age.
Her introduction to serioussinging was via the famed gospel vocal group,
The Meditation Singers.
From whose ranks rose Della Reese.

Lauras mother was also with the Meditation singers and it was her mother that introduced Laura to the group.With Laura succeeding Della Reese as Lead vocalist at a later stage.


When Laura left the the singers to go solo,
her first records as a soloist were with the Golden World organisation in Detroit.
As far as I know,
she only cut 'so will I' and a fave of mine.'To win your Heart'.
Produced by Andre Williams for the Ric Tic Label.
But shortly after this she signed forChicagos Chess Records.
The Label sent her up to Muscle Shoals and Rick Hall.They cut 'Dirty Man' a hit for her and a song from Bobby Miller,who was later to write and produce with the Dell's.


Laura had 3 years at Chess,
wheh her contract expired she signed for Hot Wax records.Where she did numerous recordings.Her album and single 'Wedlock is a padlock'put Lauras name back into the record buying peoples minds.

She was about to marry Hi recording artist Al Greene at the time of this info,which relates to the thread recently on Al Greene.

Laura also was a part-time fashion designer,designing all her own clothes whether for stage or private use.

But I always remember her for that classic cut of 'To win your heart'.
You certainly caught my heart Laura.
Mel.
ps.Thanks Mike.

By TonyRussi (68.18.227.123) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 08:19 am:

I expressed some of my passion for Laura Lee on the Hot Wax/Invictus Thread. I have loved her voice since the day I heard and then purchased the original 45 of "Dirty Man". I was thrilled when I bought her first Hot Wax 45 "Wedlock is a Padlock" and then all her following Hot Wax and Invictus 45's and LPs. I recently purchased a new Sequel double CD that includes most of her Hot Wax/Invictus recordings.I never had the pleasure of seeing her live.My fave recording of her "I Don't Need Nothing Old (But Money)".Laura Lee is Super BAAD!

By Rich (162.33.234.250) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 08:55 am:

No No No, by far the tracks that cut deepest (IMHO) are: "I Need It Bad as You" & "Crumbs off the Table", maybe the hilariousy confident "If You Can Beat My Rockin" afterall this is Funky Detroit, right? Tunes like "Love & Liberty" & "Women's Love Rights" are too sing-songy. However, "Guess Who I Saw Today" is one gripping tale for sure.

Peace

By Common (209.2.55.172) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 08:58 am:

Hello everyone,

The first time I heard about Laura Lee was from a rap Salt N Pepa recorded called "Whatta Man", where they sampled her song. I hope I can pick up one of her CD's if they are available.

Peace!

By TonyRussi (68.18.227.123) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 09:14 am:

Hey Common, I didn't know Laura Lee did a version of "What A Man".All I know is the original by Lynda Lyndell on the Stax/Volt label in 69/70 era that was pretty big down here.I will say the song would fit Laura Lees' style.Come on Rich, both "Womens Love Rights"(her only Pop Top 40 hit) and the follow up "Love & Liberty" are BAAD..I heard she tore up the Apollo when she performed those songs there. "If You Can Beat Me Rockin'" should have been an A side.

By Common (209.2.55.171) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 09:23 am:

Hello Tony,

At least, I remember being credited to Laura Lee because when I did get a chance to hear the song in its entirety on the radio, there's a particular line that went like this: "My man makes me do the James Brown". Is that on Lynda Lyndell's version too?

Peace!

By TonyRussi (68.18.227.123) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 09:54 am:

Yep Common "Make Me Do the James Brown everytime I turn around" written & produced by the late great Dave Crawford.You got me wonderin' if Laura Lee did a version that came out on Chess....I'll go through some of my old 45 boxes tonite.Lynda Lyndell's voice does not sound like Laura Lee.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 12:44 pm:

Rich - That's the 45 I have "Need It Bad As You."

By cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 01:14 pm:

Good Lord!!! I had forgotten about Laura Lee. What an incredible vocalist and what a great thread. Where is she? Does anyone know?

Michael

By Ritchie (62.254.0.8) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 01:25 pm:

Laura Lee - Chess 45s:

1989 - Laura Lee : You Need Me / Stop Giving Your Man Away (1967)
2013 - Laura Lee : Dirty Man / It's Mighty Hard (1967)
2030 - Laura Lee : Uptight Good Man / Wanted: Lover, No Experience Necessary (1967)
2041 - Laura Lee : As Long As I Got You / Man With Some Backbone (1968)
2052 - Laura Lee : Need To Belong / He Will Break Your Heart (1968)
2062 - Laura Lee : Hang It Up / It's How You Make It Good (1969)
2068 - Laura Lee : Mama's Got A Good Thing / Love More Than People (1969)

By TonyRussi (68.18.227.123) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 01:50 pm:

Thanks Ritchie...so Laura Lee did not do "What A Man" on Chess and I know she did not do it while at the HDH labels.Did she have an LP on Chess?I can't remember... and also is the Chess stuff avaiable on CD?

By Ritchie (62.254.0.8) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 01:58 pm:

Hi Tony

No Laura Lee Chess album back in the day, but there was a 1972 (cash-in?) Chess album - "Love More Than Pride". There is/was a 1990 CD comp, on a revived Chess imprint - "That's How It Is: the Chess Years", but whether it's still on catalogue is another matter.

By MotownForever (205.188.209.38) on Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 05:05 pm:

I just checked my "Mega Guide To Singles" by Charlie Hotz and there were two singles recorded by Laura Lee for the Atlantic subsidiary, Cotillion. Based on the year these singles were released, it looks like Laura signed with Atlantic/Cotillion for these 2 singles after Chess and before Hot Wax.

Together/But You Know I Love You - Cotillion 44054 - 1969

*What A Man/Separation Line - Cotillion 44073 - 1970

*Although I don't own "What A Man" by Laura, and therefore do not know if it's the same version Lynda Lyndell cut, but perhaps this is the version that Common heard and was referring to.

By TonyRussi (68.18.227.143) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 08:28 am:

Thats it MotownForever!I went home last nite and called my brother & he reminded me about both Laura Lee & Baby Washington had been on Cotillion for a short while about the same time.I did find my 45 of Baby Washington "I Don't Know" which is great, but could'nt find a Laura Lee on that label and I'm sure its better by Laura Lee.Thanks!!And Common I stand corrected on the words of the song referring to "the James Brown" its "got me doing the Camel Walk in my sleep,make me do the James Brown everytime I get on my feet".

By Common (209.2.55.169) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 12:44 pm:

Hello everyone,

Tony & Motownforever: Cool! I came across an Invictus/HotWax compliation & was wondering why Laura's "What A Man" wasn't on there. Now I know why. Do you think Laura's version is on any of the Atlantic compliations that have been put out in recent years? And is the Lynda Lydell cut available CD? Thanks a bunch! :o)

Peace!

By TonyRussi (68.18.227.143) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 01:30 pm:

Common, the Lynda Lyndell song is on CD called Stax Soul Sisters which also has 2 cuts by Carla Thomas, "Running Out"by Mable John(written by Ashford & Simpson) same song done on Motown by Gladys Knight, Barbara Lewis,Veda Brown, 3 songs by Jean Knight, Shirley Brown, Inez Foxx,Margie Joseph....I've had it a few years but I don't know if still available.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.8) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 01:34 pm:

I believe the Stax Soul Sisters is still available. The Stax catalogue goes through Fantasy in the US, and the last I saw - just a few months ago - this title was still listed.

By motownlarry (198.209.225.229) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 01:56 pm:

Cleo, Three years ago when I saw Laura Lee perform live at a blues Festival in St. Louis, she said that she was still living in Detroit. She's still beautiful, and her voice is powerful, clear, and true. Unfortunately, she performed only religious material. She was a very polite and humble lady and laughed in embarassment at the revealing cover of her Invictus album "I Can't Make It Alone" when I asked her to sign it.

By TonyRussi (68.18.227.143) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 03:14 pm:

Hey Motownlarry, Thats great.I sure wish she'd perform her secular music.The LP "I Can't Make It Alone" I do not have, does it include "If I'm Good Enuff to Love" on it?.I do have that Invictus 45 and her Hot Wax LPs & 45's.

By brianday@cwcom.net (212.137.146.198) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 06:35 pm:

yes folks laura lee is alive and well,and was spotted in new york by a freind of mine ,two months ago,she only does religious music now ,there was single out after hot wax etc,i bought a copy 2 weeks ago ,after a life time search on ariola "your barking up the wrong tree"
it trys to repeat the invictus feel ,but stops short, now iam after the cd she did with al green
anyone got a copy ?

By DanMan869 (4.60.73.145) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 02:30 am:

It's probably out of print by now, but Laura Lee's "What A Man" (1969) was included on the Rhino compilation "Atlantic Sisters of Soul" released in 1992 (R2 71037). Additional information culled from the CD booklet is that it was recorded in Miami on October 8, 1969, released as Cotillion 44054 on November 11, 1969, and (unfortunately) did not chart. In a few pictures I've seen of Ms. Lee from that time, I've always been struck by how her look at that time was very similar to that of Diana Ross (circa 1967-1968). Coincidence, perhaps?

By the way... Soulful Detroit is the best! ;-)

By LG Nilsson (213.89.28.83) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 01:03 pm:

I just want to upload a couple of 45's so we can look at all labels Laura Lee has been on in the 60's and 70's. The European CD "That's How It Is" includes all of her Chess recordings.








The other side of the Invictus single is "If I'm Good Enough To Marry". That song was printed on the cover of the Hot Wax LP HA-714 but it was not found on the album! The song was not on the Invictus LP "I Can't Make It Alone" either.



Lars

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 01:04 pm:

Graham sends in 2 scans relating to Laura Lee

By acooolcat (211.72.233.3) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 08:47 pm:

As Sis pointed out earlier - Laura started out with The Meditations singing gospel. I guess this is the same group that had 45s on Mike Hanks' D-Town "Devotional" label too. The song "To Win Your Heart" is a vocal version of "Festival Time" that was also released on Ric-Tic - and later - on Motown's "Soul" label.
Thanks David.
All the best, Graham

By acooolcat (61.222.101.140) on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 07:56 am:

Sorry, I made an error..." Festival Time" was released on Gordy - not Soul.
Graham

By Common (152.163.188.68) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 12:56 pm:

Hello everyone,

Wow! What a learning experience! The label scans & info on Laura Lee is amazing. Whew! BTW, "But You Know I Love You" was also sung by Kim Weston & Johnny Nash on a duet LP they did together on Banyan Tree records(don't know if anyone else has heard of this label).

Peace!

By bosstrainer (217.39.71.6) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 03:02 pm:

A wonderful artist - there is also a double Japanese album which originally compiled her Chess recordings in 1984. It actually contains 27 tracks including 4 versions of Dirty Man and an alternative version of Another Man's Woman and interestingly But You Know I Love You - which has the producers as Gene Barge and Cash McCall - so is this a different cut to the Cotillion one? I can't check because I haven't got that 45.

I know of 2 Gospel albums on Myrrh - Jesus Is The Light of My Life and All Power - only got them on tape though - great singing.

By TonyRussi (68.18.34.90) on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 03:10 pm:

In going through some of my record collection last nite I found a Laura Lee 12 inch single on Fantasy that came out '79 (I think) that was sent to me by Mary Wells...."Sat-Is-Faction" written by Mary Wells & Cecil Womack produced by Don Davis.Around this same time CecIl Womack wrote & produced with Don Davis some tracks for the Dramatics which I think was on ABC Records(?).

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 07:55 am:

Colin Dilnot sends in this image of a Laura Lee 45 on Cotillion.

By bosstrainer (217.35.70.69) on Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 06:50 pm:

Hi everyone

Since my last post on Laura I have been very fortunate to meet her over several days while we were both in Memphis for the opening of the Stax Museum and related events. Her full story based on a series of interviews will appear in the UK based magazine In The Basement and will hit the streets in July.

You can subscribe to the magazine via itb@basement-group.co.uk

She is still in great voice as I found out when we went to Al Green's church together and she got up and sang. One of the most memorable of days in my soul life!!!

The Stax Museum is an absolute must for any soul fan and further details can be found on their website:-

www.soulsvilleusa.com

Thanks

Colin