Patti Labelle & the Bluebelles: Over the Rainbow (1966) ... plus

After releasing a bunch of singles, one Christmas album and a couple of live Lps for Newton and Cameo/Parkway Records in the early-'60s, The Bluebelles signed with Atlantic Records in 1965. In 1966 they released the first recording of what later became a Patti standard, the cover of 'Over the Rainbow,' backed by one of the first versions of 'Groovy Kind of Love' (later a hit for the Mindbenders), with only mild success. Along the line, they extended their name to Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles. The group discovered a fan base in England where they headlined a tour at in 1966 performing live on the show, Ready Steady Go!, and performed with Elton John's band Bluesology backing them up. They also contributed background vocals to Wilson Pickett's hit '634-5789 (Soulsville U.S.A.)'. During that year, Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles recorded their first studio album, Over the Rainbow, which featured the aforementioned double-sider and the R&B hit, 'All or Nothing', which had been released as a single the year before. Produced by Bert Berns, the album has got a very sophisticated sound which tends to soften their earthy expressions with strings, brass and fancy arrangements that are never too kitschy to get in the way of the group's soulful vocals. It offers a really exciting agenda of songs, including 'Patti's Prayer', 'Who Can I Turn To', 'More', 'People', 'Try To Remember', 'Ebb Tide', 'Unchained Melody', 'He' and 'Yesterday'. I added as bonus tracks 12 songs which were released as singles between 1965 and 1970 on Atlantic and didn't appear on either their two albums for the label. These extra tracks include 'Oh My Love', 'You Forgot How to Love', 'Family Man', 'Dance to the Rhythm of Love', 'Trustin' in You', and 'I Need Your Love', amongst others. (Note: you will find their second release for the label, Dreamer, HERE). This is another great gift from my good friend Martin. Cheers, mate! ;-)

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Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles singing 'Over the Rainbow' live:

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