Bobby Gentry's 1967 number single Ode To Billie Joe is a country blues classic with a great, intriguing, homespun lyric. It was however originally the B-side and only became the lead song when radio djs began playing it in response to listeners requests. The A-side was this rather good piece of Southern country rock.
Mississippi Delta
Bobby Gentry failed to repeat the success of Ode To Billie Joe despite writing and recording a load of other songs. In the 70s she got caught between the TV show circuit and the country blues (although she did get another UK number 1 with I'll Never Fall In Love Again) and recorded at least one album with Glen Campbell, a copy of which I found in a charity shop in Beverley a while back. She retired from music in 1981.
HMI have gone. They were largely positive, surprisingly human and gave us some things to think about and act upon. But I am glad to see the back of them.
I didn't think you required improvement. Roll on friday....
ReplyDeleteI'd love a copy of the LP with Glen. I got all excited when I saw it in my charity shop six months or so ago, but the sleeve was all ripped and the record looked like someone had taken a Black & Decker sander to it. Her solo stuff appears to be rare as hen's teeth.
ReplyDeleteYou don't see much of her solo stuff on vinyl that's for sure. I got the cd comp this came off in Action records in Preston last week for £2.
ReplyDeleteI'm always seeing that one she did with Glen Campbell around, never picked it up though. I shelled out for Touch 'Em With Love and Fancy a bit back, American sellers on Discogs I think, $2 for the album, $10 for the postage kind of situations though. Still pretty reasonable.
ReplyDeleteshe's a wonder isn't she. really really. and mississippi delta is a 99p soul floor filler every time
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