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Johnnie
Mae's other record labels were Reel, Bon, Jam, Art
(named after her husband), Audrey (named after her
daughter), Big Hit and Tank.
The
early 60's Bon label pressed just two 45s, but they're
both brilliant. As well as Timmy Shaw's there was The
Ambassadors' powerful sides I Wonder Why b/w
Power of Love. Lead singer Ida Bennett's raw vocal
energy offers scant compromise to the cross-over market and
both songs are great examples of unadulterated soul singing.
The 45 was re-released on Reel, but still didn't
manage to sell in quantity and died a quick death. After
Dale Warren arranged their J and R label 45 they seem
to have mysteriously disappeared and shouldn't be confused
with their namesakes that recorded for Atlantic.
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LISTEN
TO
Cynthia & Imaginary 3
sing
"That's What I Am"
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The Audrey
label also released a handful of 45s, including ones by
Spencer Sterling and Lawrence Brown, both of whom later
joined Motown. Her own song, Luck Walked Through My Door,
credits MYTO Publishing - which was Ed Wingate's company.
In
the mid-sixties Johnnie Mae hooked up with local boxing
promoter "Diamond Jim" Riley and her rousing Don't
Talk About My Man was released on his Big D
label.
Around
the same time she joined forces with Clifford
"Sonny" Marshall to form a record label they named
Northern Del-La. The label's few 45s included
Calvin Williams's version of Lonely You'll Be and
a debut disc from Thelma Laverne -better known as Telma
Hopkins, part of Tony Orlando and Dawn.
The Big
Hit label had around 20 releases during the latter
Sixties and early Seventies, including great songs from the
likes of Cynthia & The Imaginary Three, and Barbara Jean
& The Lyrics.
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Notes thanks to Graham
Finch
image must not be
reproduced, used or copied photograph
credits at end of webisode
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DESIGN AND
GRAPHICS BY
LOWELL BOILEAU
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