syl johnson question
troubleman
1,928 Posts
anyone ever see the "is it because I'm black" lp with the "alternate sunset label?"http://cgi.ebay.com/SYL-JOHNSON-LP-ON-TWINIGHT-IS-IT-BECAUSE-IM-BLACK_W0QQitemZ4809875028QQcategoryZ306QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemIf that is an original pressing, that's a damn good price.
Comments
/Leo
Twinight went to the "sunset" labels later on, just before Johnson was whisked away to Hi Records (seeeee: here). But considering that Twilight/Twinight lasted less than five years in total (and IIBIB was released in 1970), even thought it might be technically a second pressing (to keep up with demand after the red label sold out), it's only a year or two after the OG. Either way, definitely early 70s.
only the last 4 45s on the label (and apparently this run of the lp) utilize it.
What the man said. There's also a similar label design on their Daylight subsidiary, which (to my knowledge) has only two milqutoast-and-shit sides by the New Colony Six and The Mob.
C- So you hadn't seen this LP design either, I take it?
Is syl styll alive?
Actually Sunlight, but no big t'ing, mon!
...and an album by Chuck & Mary Perrin...never heard it, but it looks like some seriously vile hippy-dippy singer-songwriter shite...and some label just reissued it on CD too!
No, it was a Chicago chain of seafood places, Solomon's. After that place folded (and a stint with homelessness), he made a comeback in 1994. His shows and records since then have been aimed directly at the twelve-bar blues audience, although he had two CD's on the Delmark label which replicated the soul sound of his Twinight and Hi sides. Back In The Game is the better of the two - it's a 1994 release which reunited him with the Hi Rhythm Section. So, Syl Johnson is very much alive; he's still in Chicago and does the occasional blues show from time to time.
I know there's a lot of hard luck among the best in music.
But SYL JOHNSON??? Whoa...that's not sittin' right. Dude is a fuckin' legend in my mind.
I hope RZA took care of this dude (aka showered him with the riches he deserves).
I think Syl has told the tale of how he was basically down & out until he received a massive royalty check from some million-selling rap record that sampled one of Syl's songs.
It would be cool to see a movie made about his life (a la RAGING BULL).
It has its moments. I definitely would not consider it as vile or shite. That said I listened to the CD about 3 or 4 times when I first got it and haven't listened to it since then.
Guess it's a matter of opinion, since I don't normally get into folky 1970's singer-songwriter music so I just lumped C&M in there with the rest. (That WAS the kind of music they played, right?)
Did I actually type "Daylight?" I must have been more fucked up this morning than I knew. I mean, I have both 45s (for no good reason other than I got then for free).
"Is It Because I'm Black" is so undeniably beautiful that even Robert Pruter had to hand it to him. The man was not exactly fond of funk music.
Oh - and when is there going to be an LP reissue of "Dresses Too Short?" I've always thought that it was more consistent than IIBIB, and the cover is killer.
I've actually seen a vinyl reissue off and on at Dusty Grooves.
He started with that 12 bar blues stuff, there's really early interviews with him before he changed the spelling of his name in Paul Oliver's "Conversation With The Blues" book.
There's hope for all of us. Ca. 1995:
and 2005:
What a difference 10 years makes (The Flesh, indeed).
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yeah, i'm definitely ok with this
Thanks for the, uh, clarification. Holy shit.
Her next album should be called "Chapter 4: Dresses Too Short"