Sam Dees - The Show Must Go On
Sam Dees (vocals & keyboards), Glen Woods (guitars), David Camon (bass), Sherman “Fats” Carson (Drums)
Written by Sam Dees, David Camon (A1, B1), Jesse J. Lewis (A4), Bill Brandon (A5), Al Gardner (B1), Sandra Drayton (B2), Bill Brandon (B5)
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Unspecified
Label : Pure Pleasure Records
Original Label : Atlantic
Recording : May 25 and August 29, 1960 by Tom Dowd & Phil Iehle, at Sound Of Birmingham & New London Recording Studios Birmingham, Alabama
Arranged by Sam Dees & Randy Richards (A1, B1, B2), Ronnie Harris (A4 & B5), Skip Lane (A2, A3, B3 & B4)
Horn arrangement on A5 by Aaron Varnell
Produced by Sam Dees
Originally released in 1975
Re-mastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London
Reissued in 2017
Tracks :
Side A :
1. Child Of The Streets
2. The Show Must Go On
3. Come Back Strong
4. Just Out Of My Reach
5. Claim Jumpin’
Side B :
1. Troubled Child
2. What’s It Gonna Be
3. Worn Out Broken Heart
4. Good Guys
5. So Tied Up
Reviews :
« The best R&B songwriter and soul singer that most people have never heard of, Sam Dees has written songs for countless artists, including Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, George Benson, the Temptations, Teddy Pendergrass, Millie Jackson, Jackie Wilson, the Manhattans, Regina Belle, KC & the Sunshine Band, Willie Clayton, and many others. He's also a pretty fine singer, having recorded for the Chess, Atlantic, Polydor, and SSS imprints, and he had a nice string of his own hits in the 1970s. His 1975 Atlantic album The Show Must Go On has long been regarded by Southern soul aficionados as one of the best of the genre, but curiously it has never been available in the digital realm until now. This reissue, which adds six additional tracks and single mix edits, proves the point. Sounding a bit like a deeper-voiced Curtis Mayfield (in both style and theme), Dees sings with assurance, wisdom, passion, and a whole lot of soul here. Songs like "Child of the Streets" (here in both album and single versions), "Troubled Child," "What's It Gonna Be," and the harrowing album outtake "Signed Miss Heroin" share Mayfield's commitment to social commentary, and Dees knows his way around a love song, too. With the bonus tracks added, it makes a lost treasure even more of a gem. Kudos to Real Gone Music for bringing The Show Must Go On forward into the 21st century. It's absolutely essential. » AllMusic Review by Steve Leggett
"Pure Pleasure’s re-mastered vinyl of The Show Must Go On is a real treat! The sound quality is excellent and the stereo mix is even and balanced. The primary focus and centering is on the fluid vocals of Dees. Both the mellifluous textures and occasional gravelly tonality are intact. The rhythm section levels are understated and the flute, keyboards and strings are low-keyed and complementary." Audiophile Audition February 2018 by Robbie Gerson
The best R&B songwriter and soul singer that most people have never heard of, Sam Dees has written songs for countless artists, including Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, George Benson, the Temptations, Teddy Pendergrass, Millie Jackson, Jackie Wilson, the Manhattans, Regina Belle, KC & the Sunshine Band, Willie Clayton, and many others. He's also a pretty fine singer, having recorded for the Chess, Atlantic, Polydor, and SSS labels, and he had a nice string of his own hits in the 1970s.
His 1975 Atlantic album The Show Must Go On has long been regarded by Southern soul aficionados as one of the best of the genre. Sounding a bit like a deeper-voiced Curtis Mayfield (in both style and theme), Dees sings with assurance, wisdom, passion, and a whole lot of soul here. Songs like "Child of the Streets", "Troubled Child," & "What's It Gonna Be," share Mayfield's commitment to social commentary, and Dees knows his way around a love song, too.
Ratings :
Allmusic : 4.5 / 5 , Rate your music : 3.69 / 5.0