LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Activist in Seattle Women in Rhythm & Blues; a member of the Northwest Hall Of Fame (which puts her on a par with the mighty Kingsmen and Sonics!); maker of one of THE classic hit singles - a radio staple ever since, and a front runner in the Memphis pop explosion which led to famous Soul factory American Studios producing The Box Tops, a whole slew of singles for Eternity's Children, 'Dusty In Memphis" and this classic collection of popsoulfolkrock recordings on Bell Records (check out the songwriter credits on the right!) - you'd be right in thinking Merilee Rush is nothing short of a legend! A huge live draw in their native Northwest, Merrilee and her band The Turnabouts were on tour in 1967 with their local superstar friends Paul Revere and The Raiders, who like ELVIS and DUSTY SPRINGFIELD had been intrigued by the Soul and Pop masterpieces emanating from American Studios and decided to make an album there with the crack team of writers / producers / musicians. They recommended Merrilee to the legendary studio boss, Chips Moman, who asked her to record a version of 'Angel Of The Morning', the Chip Taylor future classic. When released as a single, it became a monster hit and there followed a whole load of great material on BELL records, with that classic American Studios sound to the fore, and Merrilee's voice - owing as much to Evie Sands and Jackie De Shannon as it did to her own unique take on the songs -was the icing on the cake...as Folkrock met Soulpop! At last, here are the complete BELL recordings, including the rare Quincy Jones produced take on 'What the World Needs Now' and Merrilee's amazing trippy version of the Motown classic 'Reach Out...I'll Be There'; apparently inspired by hearing Vanilla Fudge's overhaul of 'You Keep Me Hanging On', on the car radio one rainy night on tour - an amazing slice of Memphis pop Soul with a twist!
Track listing: It's Worth It All / Sandcastles / Billy Sunshine / Handy / San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair) / Angel Of The Morning / That Kind Of Woman / Working Girl / Observation From Flight 285 (In 3/4 Time) / Hush / Do Unto Others / Sunshine & Roses
BONUS TRACKS: Reap What You Sow / Reach Out / Love Street / Your Loving Eyes Are Blind / Everyday Livin' Days / Sign On For The Good Times / Robin Mccarver / Angel On My Shoulder / What The World Needs Now