Bobbie Gentry
Posted by: Kevin-W on 23 July 2004
Does anyone love Roberta Lee Streeter (AKA Bobbie Gentry) as much as I do?
Following the release of the superb Country Got Soul compilations, I've been listening to a lot of BG. I've got the US Capitol vinyl LPs Ode To Billie Joe, Fancy, The Delta Sweetie, Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbelland Greatest! and they're all unutterably superb.
Her version of Son Of A Preacher Man which was recorded before Dusty Springfield's, is, IMO, the best ever.
Nobody else has got that swampy feel down on tape better (listen to Okalona Rhythm Bottom Band), and as well as being a fanastic, sexy-voiced singer (one of the most soulful white singers ever, I think), she was also a fab songwriter.
I think she's due for a revival - it's about time she got the recognition she deserves.
What's she doing these days (I believe she married into money and retired over 20 years ago)? And what other albums does anyone else recommend?
Kevin
(Sean Rowley On BBC Radio London)
PS - she's 60 on Tuesday.
Following the release of the superb Country Got Soul compilations, I've been listening to a lot of BG. I've got the US Capitol vinyl LPs Ode To Billie Joe, Fancy, The Delta Sweetie, Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbelland Greatest! and they're all unutterably superb.
Her version of Son Of A Preacher Man which was recorded before Dusty Springfield's, is, IMO, the best ever.
Nobody else has got that swampy feel down on tape better (listen to Okalona Rhythm Bottom Band), and as well as being a fanastic, sexy-voiced singer (one of the most soulful white singers ever, I think), she was also a fab songwriter.
I think she's due for a revival - it's about time she got the recognition she deserves.
What's she doing these days (I believe she married into money and retired over 20 years ago)? And what other albums does anyone else recommend?
Kevin
(Sean Rowley On BBC Radio London)
PS - she's 60 on Tuesday.