Feb 20

Candi Staton - 1969 - I’m Just A Prisoner

Posted by nikos1109

Recorded at Rick Hall’s Muscle Shoals studios, this set embodies the essence of Southern soul — a hybrid of country, R&B and the blues. This long-out-of-print set features the novelty tune “I’d Rather Be An Old Man’s Sweetheart (Than A Young One’s Fool)” and a killer cover of O.V. Wright’s “That’s How Strong My Love Is.”

It’s groovy, It’s smooth, excellent  vocal line…definitely one of my top all time albums.

Tracks
A1 Someone You Use 2:32
A2 I’d Rather Be an Old Man’s Sweetheart (Than a Young Man’s Fool) 2:05
A3 You Don’t Love Me No More 2:19
A4 Evidence 2:35
A5 Sweet Feeling 2:45
B1 Do Your Duty 2:32
B2 That’s How Strong My Love Is 3:25
B3 I’m Just a Prisoner (of Your Good Lovin’) 3:09
B4 Another Man’s Woman, Another Woman’s Man 2:30
B5 Get It When I Want It 2:25

Candi Staton was one of the hardest, grittiest ambassadors of downhome, ‘Bama-drenched Southern Soul, recording three highly acclaimed LPs for the FAME label between 1969 and 1972. Her first effort is an incredibly raw and at times ridiculously funky tour de force of sweat-inducing, fatback Southern Soul.

Opening procedures is the wistful, bluesy romp “Someone You Use”, a fine country-soul tune from the pen of her then husband Clarence Carter. Old timey piano and infectious backing vocals guide Staton through this tale of despair.
The hard socking “I’d Rather Be an Old Man’s Sweetheart (Than a Young Man’s Fool)” was also co-written by Carter, and knowing the latter’s tongue-in-cheekiness, it must have been a blast recording this track. The Muscle Shoals band is in full force, check out Roger Hawkin’s tight beats, especially in the outro.
Next up is the achingly beautiful ballad “You Don’t Love Me No More”, a tune sung with the Deep Soul style of conviction (and sense of doom akin to James Carr’s darkest excursions). The weeping horns and the biting guitar fills ad perfectly to the gloomy atmosphere. Truly a showstopper. “Evidence” without a doubt is the hardest and funkiest tune here. The lazy backbeat and slithering bass are augmented by a ‘Pops Staples’-styled heavily reverberated guitar, bursts of brass and in-your-face backup voc’s. The horn-heavy coda is sheer funky soul heaven…

Side A ends on a boogie ‘n’ bouncin’ note with the soulful blues-inspired “Sweet Feeling” - Staton’s vocal here is deliciously raw, rough and completely unrestrained.
Candi delves back into the funk bag on the flip with the stupidly rocking “Do Your Duty”, with its rat-tat-tat drum pattern on the chorus, perfectly juxtaposed with the razor sharp flurries of brass. When she belts out ‘DO! Do your duty!’, you sit up and listen, jack.
Roosevelt Jamison’s classic “That’s How Strong My Love Is” follows, and while, to me, no version surpasses Little Milton’s 1973 take, this traditionally executed ballad does feature some eerie, ’50s-styled backing vocals. And hearing Staton build up to the vocal climax in the middle as well as the end of the song, truly is a goosebump inducing experience. Brilliant.
A funky stew is served once more with the dynamic “I’m Just a Prisoner (Of Your Good Lovin’)”, which rides on the back of Hawkin’s busy drums and Spooner Oldham’s thick-as-gravy keyboard workout. Clarence Carter would record an almost exact version of this tune for his last FAME album ‘Patches’ in 1970.
“Another Man’s Woman, Another Woman’s Man”, in contrast, is the most sensitive, delicate track here. Another feast of soulful vocal bliss, the song slightly resembles the make-up of Aretha Franklin’s “Do Right Man, Do Right Woman”.
Candi Staton’s first full length LP ends on a thumpin’ note with the funk ‘n’ roll of “Get It When I Want It”, which saddles a superlative groove, further enhanced by a healthy dose of greasy, soul-powered horns.

—————————–

You can buy the vinyl here and listen “I’m Just A Prisoner”

Download link

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Date February 20th, 2009

47 Responses to “Candi Staton - 1969 - I’m Just A Prisoner”

  1. hooch Says:
    February 20th, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    Superb album - thanks Nikos!

  2. rich Says:
    February 20th, 2009 at 9:48 pm

    Great post nikos killer album.

  3. PretOria Says:
    February 20th, 2009 at 10:59 pm

    Grazie Nikps Fantastic Candy is a nice girls in a Young years

  4. jahcisco Says:
    February 20th, 2009 at 11:21 pm

    Thank you. Much appreciated.

  5. johnathan Says:
    February 21st, 2009 at 1:07 am

    A must have foe every southern soul fan.

  6. SoulSauce Says:
    February 21st, 2009 at 1:51 am

    If the rest of the tracks are as good as “I’m Just A Prisoner,” then this album is gonna be fire. Thanks.

  7. Lisa Says:
    February 21st, 2009 at 10:00 am

    Ah yes, Candi’s awesome. Thanks again!

  8. robert Says:
    February 21st, 2009 at 11:15 am

    Candi Staton is so amazing. Ever since that Honest Jon’s comp came out I been after everything of hers I can find. Thanks for this!

  9. Mehuto Says:
    February 21st, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    this album sounds so good ! ” I’d rather be…” is a dynamite. I love her voice :)

  10. Alvis Edgar Says:
    February 21st, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    One of the best southern soul albums ever. Thanks, Nikos.

  11. espouser Says:
    February 21st, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    Stone groove this one! More Fame souls cuts please- love that muscle shoals sound. BTW, there is a brand new Candi Stanton CD out called Who’s Hurtin Now?- her voice is sounding good as ever on some great soul-country tunes.

    Track List:

    Breaking Down Slow
    Who’s Hurting Now?
    I Feel The Same
    Mercy Now
    I Don’t Know
    Lonely Don’t
    Get Your Hands Dirty
    Dust On My Pillow
    Cry Baby Cry
    I Don’t Want For Anything
    Light In Your Eyes

  12. Michael Says:
    February 21st, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    Thanks for posting this timeless album.

  13. Soul is the Music Says:
    February 21st, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    Candi Staton Stands as one of the Undisputed Queens of Soul and this album brings her long legendary Muscle Shoals debut recorded for Fame Records. The songs are masterpieces of the genre, the musicianship astounding, the Production perfectly tailored, and all of these topped by her unmistakeable voice.

  14. Bobby Says:
    February 22nd, 2009 at 12:39 am

    Echo, echo, echo…

  15. Peter Says:
    February 22nd, 2009 at 12:46 am

    I remember listening to these songs back in the day and loving her voice. She sings all of her songs with emotion, strength, and most of all, reality.

  16. agnies Says:
    February 22nd, 2009 at 3:09 am

    absolutely amazing ! thank you ! you are the best!

  17. Jack Says:
    February 22nd, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    Fantastic. thanks for sharing.

  18. Marianne Says:
    February 22nd, 2009 at 2:14 pm

    What a woman with a razor sharp voice. Listen to the music with heart because Candi Staton puts her heart & soul into every song on this album.

  19. Fever Says:
    February 22nd, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    Awesome post! That’s Soul Music.

  20. invisiblenigma Says:
    February 22nd, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    Beautiful Stuff Nikos!! Much Thanks!

  21. Andrew Says:
    February 22nd, 2009 at 6:59 pm

    Sweet as a candy……..i adore her.

  22. Jason Says:
    February 23rd, 2009 at 12:34 am

    Just Lovely, one of the most underrated and best singers of southern soul.

  23. Dimitris Says:
    February 23rd, 2009 at 1:50 am

    In dark days like these, what a joy it is at last to hear this album and see the recognition Candi Staton’s work is receiving from young people hearing it for the first time.

  24. Anonymous Says:
    February 23rd, 2009 at 2:42 am

    never heard this one….one word..Beautiful thanks dude jean paris

  25. Lucas Says:
    February 23rd, 2009 at 9:58 am

    Amazing album and singer. Thanks a lot.

  26. Danny Says:
    February 23rd, 2009 at 12:06 pm

    Candi Staton’s Fame recordings are precious. There’s a cd with all of them. Thanks for sharing nikos.

  27. Keith Says:
    February 23rd, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    That’s incredible. I loved it. Thanks for posting it.

  28. Kevin Says:
    February 23rd, 2009 at 9:00 pm

    WOW! for fans of Muscle Shoals-era Aretha, this is your record!

  29. Comeonpilgrim Says:
    February 24th, 2009 at 12:05 am

    Thank you so much for this great record. I have been looking for this record very long time. Once again, Thank you!

  30. Soul Bonanza Says:
    February 24th, 2009 at 12:47 am

    Thanks so much for this fantastic LP!

  31. Gabriel Says:
    February 24th, 2009 at 1:36 am

    Wow!! Great soul dynamo!!!

  32. LK Says:
    February 24th, 2009 at 2:43 am

    One realy groovy record! Hats off!

  33. Lauran Says:
    February 24th, 2009 at 11:00 am

    I agree. An amazing share.

  34. phatrapper Says:
    February 26th, 2009 at 4:00 pm

    Wow! Amazing!!

  35. Trakbuv Says:
    February 26th, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    Amazing - Candi’s Fame recordings were so rare that I began to think only Indiana Jones could have procured a copy. Then she suddenly became popular again and her whole Fame catalogue was suddenly available. Fickle doesn’t begin to describe it, but hey, who cares ?!! From a truly gifted songstress with that soulful vibratto I love so much - many thanks Nikos. I believe that this is definitely something that MusicMeiho would have adored. May she rest in peace

  36. Anonymous Says:
    February 26th, 2009 at 4:43 pm

    thanks for posting

  37. joys Says:
    February 27th, 2009 at 11:42 am

    Always appreciated your choice. Thanx so much for sharing this album

  38. darcy Says:
    February 28th, 2009 at 3:02 am

    I fell in love with Candi’s voice back in 72-73. Finally I saw her live last week - I can’t believe 37 years after I first heard her she was in my (UK) home town performing, still sounding - and looking - so great. For me she is the greatest soul singer ever - so much feeling in that voice.

  39. Claudio Says:
    March 2nd, 2009 at 12:29 am

    Excellent, a discover for me: Thanks

  40. whoknows Says:
    March 2nd, 2009 at 1:37 am

    Awesome stuff! thanks again, much peace!

  41. nlee1903 Says:
    March 2nd, 2009 at 2:55 am

    Amazing album, thanks for the post.

  42. PEDRO Says:
    March 29th, 2009 at 4:12 pm

    thanks for Dr c c ex album which he had a lot to do with but bay can she sing THANKS

  43. kumokumo Says:
    April 10th, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    Candi + Muscle Shoals = Goosebumps. Thanks man.
    Will see Candi next weekend. Hopefully she will perform some songs from this era.

  44. Maciko Says:
    April 29th, 2009 at 11:07 pm

    Great one !! many thanks

  45. Geewiz Says:
    July 12th, 2009 at 3:09 am

    Thanks!!

  46. Ben Says:
    August 17th, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    I knew the famous best of with a part of this album … thanks for the post !

  47. rico Says:
    October 29th, 2009 at 10:31 am

    Candi Staton - 1969 - I’m Just A Prisoner.Thank you for this excluded but impossible of the ecouter because I need the word of pass for decompresser thank you in advance you is too strong Nikos!!.Thanks for rico

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