A diva whose major contribution to the world of jazz and soul music appears to have been largely overlooked by the mainstream, the marvellously-talented Miss Marlena Shaw blows out 80 candles on her cake today!
Here are just two examples of the great lady's sublime talents - first, her tribute to the recently-departed-for-Fabulon songwriter Ramsey Lewis...
...and here is her most instantly-recognisable and classic number:
Many happy returns, Marlena Shaw (born Marlina Burgess, 22nd September 1942)
Never hear of her before but always fab to welcome in a previously unknown (by me that is) Diva.
ReplyDeleteLovely voice.
I mentioned her only last month - it was her "ging, gi-gi-ging, ging, gi-gi-gings that were sampled for that dance choon by BlueBoy!
DeleteShe is rather fab - Craig Charles often plays her on his Funk & Soul Show on BBC Radio 6 Music. Jx
Ooh, I have heard of Ms Shaw. Albeit only because of "California Soul" which features on one (or more) of the 'Chill Out' or soundtrack complilation albums I have laying around. (I'd forgotten last month's "ging, gi-gi-ging..." thingy, too!)
ReplyDeleteFab!
We have a vast collection of "chill-out" compilations here, too! We never listen to any of 'em these days, more's the pity, as we tend to listen more to the radio than we ever do to CDs... Jx
DeleteThrow Go Away Little Boy on the platter.
ReplyDeleteSublime. She's a class act, that woman! Jx
DeleteWade in the Water - woof! If she was doin' the dancin' AND the singin' WOOOF
ReplyDeleteIt's the best version of that song I have heard! Jx
DeletePS The video looks like a montage of dancers from a vintage TV show, and I very much doubt any of them were Miss Shaw.
Of course I have heard California Soul - I just didn't know who was singing it. Thank you for the education!
ReplyDeleteSx
You're welcome, Ms Scarlet. Jx
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