Rating: ** (2 stars)
Title: Candy Coated Goodees
Company: HIP
Catalog: S 7002
Year: 1968
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: rare mono pressing
Available: 1
Price: $38.00
This one's always intrigued us. Recorded in 1968-69, stylistically its about four to six years behind popular tastes (think Chiffons, Shagris-Las). Throw in the fact this girl group trio came from Memphis and you have a true musical oddity in your hands.
Kay Evans, Sandra Jackson and Judy Williams became friends while attending Memphis' Messick High School. Interested in music, they started singing at school assemblies and local events. Their big break came in 1967 when they entered a local talent contest and won. The winning prize included an audition with Stax Records.
Impressed by the trio, Stax signed them to it's newly formed HIP subsidiary; in the process making them the first female group signed by the Stax organization (and one of the few white acts on the company's recording roster).
Teamed with producers/songwriters David Porter and Isaac Hayes, the group made its debut with 1967's "For a Little While" b/w "Would You, Could You" (Hip catalog number 109). While the single did little outside of Memphis, Hip agreed to release a follow-up record. Released as a single, "Condition Red" b/w "Didn't Know Love was So Good" (Hip catalog number 8005) provided the group with an unexpected hit. A classic slice of teen death drama the song's DOA message and sound effects are simply hysterical.
With the single peaking at # 46 on the national charts, Hip wasted no time jumping at the resulting marketing opportunity,. Rushed into the studio to record a supporting album 1969's "Sugar Coated Goodees" found the trio teamed with producer Don Davis. Musically the set offered up an odd mix of pop moves, pseudo-soul ("Girl Crazy") and girl group classics ("My Boyfriend's Back" and "He's a Rebel"). Since none of the three girls was a particularly strong singer, all 11 tracks were sung in group unison, giving much of the set a somewhat bland feel. While the heavy orchestration occasionally threatens to push the LP into MOR territory, there are quite a few winners. "A Little Bit of You" is a great slice of pop; they turn in one surprisingly raunchy cover of "Double Shot" and "Jilted" is noteworthy for its risqué he-left-me-pregnant lyric), offered up a couple of nice pop moments, but for the most part it's probably. Strange, but well worth having in one's collection.
"Candy Coated Goodees" track listing:
1.) Condition Red (Don Davis - F. Briggs) - 2:52
2.) Sad Song for Harry (F. Briggs) - 2:51
3.) A Little Bit of You (Don Davis - F. Briggs ) - 3:20
4.) Double Shot (J. Pose) - 2:57
5.) Worst That Could Happen (Jimmy Webb) - 3:23
6.) Girl Crazy (Don Davis - Leon Ware) - 3:00
7.) Jilted (Don Davis - F. Briggs ) - 4:26
8.) Didn't Know Love was So Good (Isaac Hayes - J. Shamwell) - 3:27
9.) My Boyfriend's Back (S. Seldman - G. Goldstein - B Gowthrer) - 2:32
10.) Promises (Dale Warren) - 2:34
11.) He's a Rebel (Gene Pitney) - 2:28
The group did a number of television appearances, but Hip lacked the resources or commitment to push them nationally. Hip released two more singles ("Jilted" b/w "Didn't Know Love was So Good" (catalog number) and "Goodees" b/w "He's a Rebel" (catalog number 8016), and the trio called it quits. All three remained with Stax, though in non-performing capacities.