Who was James Davis?

[Mal C]

Looked at this 45 for years without hearing it, and finally did the other week. Probably well known in Soul circles, but a lesser known artist on the Duke label.  Well it's bloody great, so Ive got my nice Pink Demo, so who is or was James Davis?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYReh9EZ150

 

Edited November 17, 2015 by Mal C

[Robbk]

I never saw him appear in The Chicago or L.A. Areas, but he was a Bluesy R&B singer, who had several records released on Duke Records during the late '50s and throughout most of the 1960s.  I would guess that he was based in East Texas or Memphis.  He was a good singer in my book.

[Robbk]

Here's a link to a short bio on him: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/james-thunderbird-davis-mn0000133249

He died of a heart attack on stage in 1989.  He was nicknamed "Thunderbird", not for his size or singing style, but after his favourite libation.  I can't remember how many Duke singles i have by him, but, certainly over 10.  He was with them for more than 10 years.  He had Guitar Slim for his guitar man early in his career.  He was a Blues singer early in his career, before switching to R&B (just like Bobby Bland).

Edited November 17, 2015 by RobbK

[Kris Holmes]

I ride for his version of Blue Monday

I was playing the other side "Sing" in R&B sets for a minute a few years back too, good vocalist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1Aocrla7cU

 

[Tlscapital]

Discovered 'ain't it great' on the Kent 'Sure-Shot' compilation, as this mix (girl chorus erased) which gives this tune a better fitting natural blend; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_xlp577XiE so I was a bit disappointed when I got to hear the 45...

Otherwise picked up few copies of this one in Belgium for some reason (not Pop-Corn) and was a good seller with the mods; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvIqZHE5yo4

[Mal C]

1 hour ago, tlscapital said:

Discovered 'ain't it great' on the Kent 'Sure-Shot' compilation, as this mix (girl chorus erased) which gives this tune a better fitting natural blend; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_xlp577XiE so I was a bit disappointed when I got to hear the 45...

Otherwise picked up few copies of this one in Belgium for some reason (not Pop-Corn) and was a good seller with the mods; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvIqZHE5yo4

I'm the other way round, 'girly backing' first if you get my meaning. The mix you have posted is clearer I guess; always hard to tell with You-Tube clips but to my ears these are two separate cuts of the song by James Davis, what do you think? I Like both, its a great song... :-))

thanks for the info Guys..

Edited November 17, 2015 by Mal C

[Tlscapital]

6 minutes ago, Mal C said:

I'm the other way round, 'girly backing' first if you get my meaning. The mix you have posted is clearer I guess; always hard to tell with You-Tube clips but to my ears these are two separate cuts of the song by James Davis, what do you think?

Like both, its a great song... :-))

I also believe that they are different take. I'll stick to my first ear. It's the more "Bobby Blandesque" feel of the Kent take that makes me dig it a little bit more. But, I'll still keep my Duke 45 as well for some home spins. Sir Ady always had access to the tapes and used different takes to compile his Kent stuffs. Sometimes to make you wonder what the f**k when you're on your own with an original 45 you thought you knew so well but NOT ! Those youngster discovering days of the vinyls paralax were mesmerizing at times. 

[Mal C]

17 minutes ago, tlscapital said:

I also believe that they are different take. I'll stick to my first ear. It's the more "Bobby Blandesque" feel of the Kent take that makes me dig it a little bit more. But, I'll still keep my Duke 45 as well for some home spins. Sir Ady always had access to the tapes and used different takes to compile his Kent stuffs. Sometimes to make you wonder what the f**k when you're on your own with an original 45 you thought you knew so well but NOT ! Those youngster discovering days of the vinyls paralax were mesmerizing at times. 

God yes, been quite few occasions the 45 has been disappointing because of that. And while we are on the Subject of Kent, if your reading this Ady, Pls release The Fawns - He's Barbara's girl as a Kent Select 45...

[Dennisoul]

Used to play a track of his about 86/87 at soul nights called "chains around my heart"...quite raw

 

https://youtu.be/JvIqZHE5yo4