Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Shout Bamalama and Other Super Soul Songs
Company: SSS International
Catalog: (S) 71102
Year: 1968
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: still in shrink wrap; minor cut out hole top right corner
Available: 1
Price: $70.00
We've been listening to deep soul for some 30 years and are still amazed at how many obscure and amazing talented acts there are out there. Most have only recorded an obscure single or two, but occasionally you run into an act that's left behind a full album. That's the case for Augusta, Georgia's Mickey Murray.
1965 found Murray working in an Augusta barbershop as a shoeshine boy. He supplemented his meager income working weekends at clubs throughout Southern Georgia. In 1965 one of those performance caught the attention of A&R man Bobby Smith. While he was impressed with Murray, Smith was busy with other projects and waited two years before deciding to take a chance with the singer. Their first project was to record an Otis Redding effort. Released on Shelby Singleton's SSS International label, "Shout Bamalama" b/w "" (SSS International catalog number SSS-715), promptly hit number 11 on the R&B charts, number 54 on the pop charts.
As was standard marketing procedure, SSS International rushed Murray back into the studio to record a supporting album. Produced by Smith, "Shout Bamalama and Other Super Soul Songs" was a major surprise. In spite of the throwaway title, the album featured a wonderful selection of deep soul. While the title track left Murray sounding as little more than a Redding-wannabe, he was a far more accomplished performer. An extremely versatile singer, Murray was capable of handling the entire gauntlet of Southern soul. Almost chameleon-like in flexibility, the growling "Treat Him Right" recalled prime Soloman Burke, while "Hit Record" could easily have passed for classic James Brown. Personal favorites include the up tempo "Are You Ready", the Stax-influenced "East of Nowhere" and the breezy "Try To Hide from Love". A lost deep soul classic, there simply isn't a bad track on this album. Unfortunately, the album attracted few sales and Murray's brush with fame proved relatively fleeting. Concerned his day job might be at risk, he reluctantly supported the album with a brief appearance at New York's Apollo Theatre, followed by a short tour opening for Wilson Pickett. A handful of obscure follow-up singles, including a duet with Clarence Murray "Baby, You Got It" b/w "One More Chance" (SSS International catalog number SSS-743), and he was a musical footnote.
"Shout Bamalama and Other Super Soul Songs" track listing:
1.) Shout Bamalama (OTis Redding) - 2:18
2.) Lonely Room (Hamilton - Mickey Murray) - 2:25
3.) Are You Ready (Ben Peters) - 2:25
4.) Got You On My Mind (Joe Thomas - Howard Biggs) - 2:37
5.) I'm Coming Back To You (MIckey Murray) - 2:29
6.) Try To Hide from Love (Jimmy Radcliff - Buddy Scott) - 1:49
7.) How Many Breaks Can One Heart ake (Joseph Venner - Bobby Adams) - 2:00
8.) Pledging My Love (Ron Robert - Ferdinand Washington) - 2:25
9.) East of Nowhere (Jimmy Radcliff - Buddy Scott) - 2:04
10.) Treat Him Right (Bobby Lee Smith) - 3:45
11.) Am I That Easy To Forget (Shelby SInglton - Blew - Stevenson) - 2:54
12.) Hit Record (Sibelius Williams) - 2:07