string(3) "dev" Sugar Pie DeSanto - Go Go Power - The Complete Chess Singles 1961-66 - Ace Records

Go Go Power - The Complete Chess Singles 1961-66 Sugar Pie DeSanto

£11.50

Genre:
60s Soul
Label:
Kent
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDKEND 317

It’s one of those names that sticks in the brain, but a 1964 television appearance by Sugar Pie DeSanto was also impressive enough to instantly spring to mind when I was asked to write these words about one of America’s most under-rated R&B singers. It seems impossible now, but one of the UK’s main TV channels devoted a whole Sunday afternoon programme to the now-legendary American Folk Blues Festival. Many got their first sighting of Howling Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Dixon, Sleepy John Estes and Lightnin’ Hopkins that day. Pitting her tiny four-foot-eleven frame against these giants, the only female on the bill turned in the kind of rip-roaring, full-throttle performance that had made her a hot property on the US live circuit. British TV audiences also had the treat of her performing on Ready Steady Go on the same show as the Kinks.

She released a number of singles that caused a stir in R&B circles, although Chess held back releasing many of her recordings so she wouldn’t impinge on their already-happening female star Etta James. This meant that Sugar Pie was mainly used as an in-house writer, churning out songs for label-mates like Fontella Bass, Little Milton, Billy Stewart and Minnie Riperton. The singles she released comprise this stellar collection, showing the lady to be a highly-expressive singer of power, passion and a fair smattering of sauce.

She was born Umpeylia Marsema Balinton in 1935, her Filipino father and black American mother relocating to San Francisco when she was three. Umpeylia’s supercharged pipes developed as she sang along to her concert pianist mother at home and let loose in church, then gaining her talent show success by her mid-teens. She was noticed winning a competition by Johnny Otis, who dubbed her Little Miss Sugar Pie and whisked her on tour, eventually recording her for Federal. The name DeSanto came from basketball star Don Barksdale, who released some of her songs on his Rhythm Records. After marrying Pee Wee Kingsley she went on to record with him for various labels. She scored her first hit in 1960 with ‘I Want To Know’, attracting the attention of James Brown when she appeared at New York’s Apollo Theater. She spent the next two years singing with his Revue.

Sugar Pie released her first single with Chess in early 1961. ‘It Won’t Be Long’ was followed by several for other labels, before she returned the following year with the pleading ballad ‘Ask Me’, kick-starting a string of 45s that would continue until 1966. After label-mate Tommy Tucker hit with ‘High Heel Sneakers’ in 1964, she replied with ‘Slip-In Mules’ and reached the Pop charts for the first time. The follow-up ‘Soulful Dress’ plumbed a similar sassy, stomping vein and also performed well. Its flip, ‘Use What You Got’, highlighted a smouldering, sexy blues groove, while ‘I Don’t Wanna Fuss’ hit a raw, funky grind and ‘Mama Didn’t Raise No Fools’ showed a gentler melodic soul side. Producer Billy Davis then suggested Sugar Pie record with Etta James as their voices boasted a similar kind of bite and roaring soul. The duo’s ‘Do I Make Myself Clear’ and the thumpingly contagious ‘In The Basement’ reached the R&B chart. This compilation is named after ‘Go Go Power’, a 1966 belter, as featured in a recent TV ad campaign.

In the early 70s Sugar Pie moved back to California, where she still lives and works, but here’s a marvellous and long overdue picture of the rise of a truly overlooked and criminally-stifled talent.

By Kris Needs

Share

Track listing

Show

Side 1

Delivery & Returns

Show

We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Bus Stop Mail Order Ltd, 42-50 Steele Road, London, NW10 7AS. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Bus Stop Mail Order Ltd, 42-50 Steele Road, London, NW10 7AS. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

Press quotes

Show

★★★★

Mojo

★★★★

Record Collector

Customer reviews

Show

Customers who bought this item also bought