Q About I'd Rather Be A Blind Man

[ZapatootheTiger]

The writer's version of (one of) Etta James' classic tunes...rumour has it (but I'd happily stand corrected) that although this was released after EJ's, it was actually recorded before, but Chess hadn't released it yet, then along came Etta

Can anyone advise/confirm/correct?

Many thanks (is this one for Rouncey?)

https://media.putfile.com/Fugi---ID-RATHER-BE-A-BLIND-MAN

The B side (SAVE A LITTLE) isn't bad:

https://media.putfile.com/Fugi---SAVE-A-LITTLE

Both tunes at the Blues end of Soul

Here's the label scan:

...and an "article" that appeared in issue 71 of Blues & Soul (Nov 5-18 1971) - reproduced without permission...

[binsy]

The writer's version of (one of) Etta James' classic tunes...rumour has it (but I'd happily stand corrected) that although this was released after EJ's, it was actually recorded before, but Chess hadn't released it yet, then along came Etta

Can anyone advise/confirm/correct?

Many thanks (is this one for Rouncey?)

https://media.putfile.com/Fugi---ID-RATHER-BE-A-BLIND-MAN

The B side (SAVE A LITTLE) isn't bad:

https://media.putfile.com/Fugi---SAVE-A-LITTLE

Both tunes at the Blues end of Soul

Here's the label scan:

...and an "article" that appeared in issue 71 of Blues & Soul (Nov 5-18 1971) - reproduced without permission...

I've read that this is the original,I'm sure Tony will tell us if we're wrong

[The Yank]

I would say Etta's is the original. Her version was recorded on August 23, 1967 and appeared on the flip of "Tell Mama". According to the "Essential Etta James" liner notes-

"... I sang "I'd Rather Go Blind", a song I'd composed with a talented guy who happened to be in jail. We wrote it in the day room of thr Chino prison, and when I sang it that day in Alabama, Leonard (Chess) had to get up and leave the room . He didn't want me to see the tears rolling down his cheeks. Later he said, in his Old World accent, "Etta... It's a mother...it's a mother".

I think Mr. Chess said it all.

[Guest NASHEE]

what year did chicken shack record it?

[Guest Paul]

Hello,

I love the first version by Etta James (1967) and the second version by Clarence Carter (1968) but I always liked Jordan's own version as Fugi best and I assume it was cut around 1969 or 1970.

It's one of my all-time favourites and I'm always amazed at how overlooked it is. All the covers obviously come from the same "chain" going right back to Etta's version, nobody ever picks up on the modified lyrics from the Fugi version.

Lots of interesting versions of this song but it reaches a point where you don't need another.

Paul

[Steve G]

Fugi's version is great - Chicken Sh*t? Their version was 68/9 wasn't it? Have it on a UK 45 somewhere, but it's nowhere near Fugi's.

[ZapatootheTiger]

I think Chicken Shack's version is fine - it's a Blues-edged Pop song that works really well IMHO.

Fugi's (Ellington Jordan et al) version was released in '68 I think, though I don't know when it was recorded.

Thanks for the reponses folks