Larry Graham

Artist: Larry Graham

LP: Sooner Or Later

Song: "Hold Up Your Hand"
[ listen ]

As I was sorting through my records this week, I figured I would probably get rid of this 1982 Larry Graham LP. For one thing, it's pink. And tropical. Also, Larry looks like he wants to be Magnum PI, which I figured couldn't be a good thing. And even though he was with Sly and the Family Stone and fronted Graham Central Station, 1982 is at the cusp of when lots of formerly mind-blowing artists started releasing stuff that just wasn't quite as good as before. What a fool was I. Larry may look like a browner Tom Selleck here, admittedly, but he's still got it, in spades. "Hold Up Your Hand" is my song of the month. Maybe even two months. What a voice! Larry plays all instruments here and throws in a dynamite harmonica solo to boot. Turn it up. 

So taken am I with Larry's third solo LP, I've just sent off a check for $131.50 for a personally autographed photo of Larry, a beautiful full color poster, two satin tour jackets (one red, one black), a unisex t-shirt and a Larry Graham natural canvas tote bag with contrasting print. And Larry hardly charges anything for shipping!

Patti Page [1927-2013]

Artist: Patti Page

LP: Indiscretion

Song: "You Call Everybody Darling"

[ listen ]

Song: "'Tis Autumn"

[ listen ]

I was sad to hear the news yesterday that Patti Page had died on the first day of the New Year. Now we will never know how much that doggie was in the window (the one with the waggly tail). We don't know for certain if the doggie was even for sale! Originally from small-town Oklahoma, Clara Ann Fowler changed her name to Patti Page after performing a short radio spot for Page Milk Company on a local radio station. She went on to Chicago from there, where she signed with Mercury Records and became the top female hit-maker of the 1950s. She's most well known for her #1 smash from 1950, "Tennessee Waltz" (and of course there's the one about the doggie), but she's also the first singer to over-dub her own voice in order to perform her own harmonies and backing vocals! Patti's 1955 "Indiscretion" LP is one of the things I picked up when I first began accumulating records by vocalists of the '50s and '60s, and I've been a fan of hers ever since. You can read all about Patti Page's terrific life and career on Wikipedia here, find her complete discography here, and go here to read a down-to-earth Patti Page tribute (it's not an obituary) and to listen to more of her lovely songs.

Patti Page

[November 8, 1927 — January 1, 2013]

We will miss you, Patti.

Jose Roberto

Artist: José Roberto

LP: José Roberto
Song: "Cambios"
[ listen ]

José Roberto would appear to be a perfectly normal (for the mid-'80s anyway) Mexican crooner/heartthrob... until you take a closer look:

as probably the first male singer ever to sport both extremely hairy arms and a diamond-flower pinky ring on the cover of one of his albums, José Roberto, we learn, was actually a trail-blazing activist fighting for gay rights and the deconstruction of gender stereotypes throughout the civilized world.