Unexpected Vinyl Trip - Gloria Gaynor & Lou Rawls

Was back up in Sydney the weekend before last and had a bit of an opportunity to have a bit of a snoop around a couple of Opportunity Shops. I was really after a leopard/tiger print beach towel to on sell but to no avail. Fortunately the trip was not a complete waste as I found a couple of $1 gems in the vinyl section. I was flicking through the mainly classical vinyl on offer and came across the following albums

Gloria Gaynor – I’ve Got You





This was the second album released by Gloria who has gone on to release 20 studio albums with the latest released in 2008. Gloria is best known for her smash hit “I Will Survive” which is still going strong as there is a 30th Anniversary I Will Survive Cd being released this year.

Gloria has a sensational voice that stands out over the funk backing band that lay down some funky baselines and horn segments. I’m not 100% sure if there are any breaks/samples used from this album but there is enough to ammunition to keep any budding DJ/producer happy. My stand out track is the opener “Let’s Make a Deal”. Well worth picking up if you come across this album.






The second album I came across was
Lou Rawls – When You Hear Lou, You’ve Heard It All


I had been after this album for some time and only put of purchasing it as something else would be cheaper and I’d put it off until my next record store visit. So imagine my surprise when I’m rifling through Opp shops offering and come across a near mint copy of this album for $1, sensational.

The album is a bit slower with more R&B ballads than up tempo funk offerings from offer artists around this period. Lou’s baritone voice steals the show and it’s easy to get swept away to his crooning. At time he reminds me of Bill Withers who also released some delightful R&B tracks. The youtube link below is a live version of the opening track off the album “Lady Love”. This live version shows an older Lou, but the only other clip of a young Lou is of dodgy quality. Another great album that I recommend picking up.



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Average Music Fan