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Hello Stranger – And 11 Other Great Selections

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Early work from the great Barbara Lewis – a sublime little set that took soul music to a whole new level! The record has a wonderful approach that mixes older ballad modes with some of the more mellow, more compressed styles that were showing up in the more sophisticated soul of the time – particularly that of some of the male singers from Chicago. Credit here is especially due to genius Detroit producer Ollie McLaughlin, but arranger Riley Hampton also contributes plenty too – mixing strings with subtler jazzier influences – similar to some of his work with Lorez Alexandria or Walter Jackson, although maybe with a bit more of a pop flourish. Perhaps even more compelling, though, is the fact that all the titles on the albums are originals written by Barbara Lewis herself – with titles that include "Hello Stranger", "Bended Knees", "Puppy Love", "My Heart Went Do Dat Da", "Would You Love Me", and "Loneliest Night Of The Year". (Red & purple label pressing.)  © 1996-2013, Dusty Groove, Inc.