William DeVaughn - 1974 - Be Thankful For What You Got
There is a load of great records by great artists over the years, but what about those who shined once in a lifetime and later on almost disappeared? Such is the story of this 1974 record by William DeVaughn. That and the thing that creativity is the mother of invention.
In 1972 William, a Washington D.C. native, was a salaried government employee, was 24 years old and the man could sing and more important could write songs. So, he entered Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, arranged a recording session and yes, even paid for it! But what a great session proved that to be. The core of TSOP was there, the great rhythm section of MFSB. in guitarist Norman Harris, drummer Earl Young, bassist Ron Baker, and vibist Vince Montana. Omega Sound Inc vice-president and Sigma Sound Studios president Frank Fioravanti was impressed with the record and began shopping it around to various labels. Finally the 45 produced by Fioravanti and arranged by John Davis was issued in Wes Farrell’s Roxbury label in 1974. Wes had started his Chelsea (remember New York City) and Roxbury labels with that in mind: To release great records by artists like William De Vaughn or New York City. Oh dear, lucky us.
The 45 sold over a million copies in the summer of 1974, and over the years it became something like a legend. It was that catchphrase: “Diamond in the back, sunroof top, digging the scene with a gangster lean” that set the pace in the years to come. Lyrics understood or misunderstood about those who actually had those “great, big Cadillacs”, William himself once said that he was talking to the ordinary working folks, the ones who “might not have a car at all.” After all brothers, just listen for yourselves! And enjoy.
Forgot to tell you the title of the 45! “Be Thankful For What You Got” parts 1 and 2, Roxbury Records BR B0-0236. reaching #1 on the U.S. R&B charts and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, selling a million copies, with a sound and content influenced by Curtis Mayfield, its simple and encouraging lyrics hit home, to the extent that it became featured on gospel radio stations.
via funk my soul
This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original Roxbury Records LP including covers.
Tracks
A1 Give The Little Man A Great Big Hand (5:35)
A2 We Are His Children (5:14)
A3 Blood Is Thicker Than Water (7:19)
A4 Kiss And Make Up (2:48)
B1 Be Thankful For What You Got (7:12)
B2 Sing A Love Song (3:26)
B3 You Can Do It (3:38)
B4 Something’s Being Done (3:44)
GET DOWN HERE
There is a load of great records by great artists over the years, but what about those who shined once in a lifetime and later on almost disappeared? Such is the story of this 1974 record by William DeVaughn. That and the thing that creativity is the mother of invention.
In 1972 William, a Washington D.C. native, was a salaried government employee, was 24 years old and the man could sing and more important could write songs. So, he entered Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, arranged a recording session and yes, even paid for it! But what a great session proved that to be. The core of TSOP was there, the great rhythm section of MFSB. in guitarist Norman Harris, drummer Earl Young, bassist Ron Baker, and vibist Vince Montana. Omega Sound Inc vice-president and Sigma Sound Studios president Frank Fioravanti was impressed with the record and began shopping it around to various labels. Finally the 45 produced by Fioravanti and arranged by John Davis was issued in Wes Farrell’s Roxbury label in 1974. Wes had started his Chelsea (remember New York City) and Roxbury labels with that in mind: To release great records by artists like William De Vaughn or New York City. Oh dear, lucky us.
The 45 sold over a million copies in the summer of 1974, and over the years it became something like a legend. It was that catchphrase: “Diamond in the back, sunroof top, digging the scene with a gangster lean” that set the pace in the years to come. Lyrics understood or misunderstood about those who actually had those “great, big Cadillacs”, William himself once said that he was talking to the ordinary working folks, the ones who “might not have a car at all.” After all brothers, just listen for yourselves! And enjoy.
Forgot to tell you the title of the 45! “Be Thankful For What You Got” parts 1 and 2, Roxbury Records BR B0-0236. reaching #1 on the U.S. R&B charts and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, selling a million copies, with a sound and content influenced by Curtis Mayfield, its simple and encouraging lyrics hit home, to the extent that it became featured on gospel radio stations.
via funk my soul
This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original Roxbury Records LP including covers.
Tracks
A1 Give The Little Man A Great Big Hand (5:35)
A2 We Are His Children (5:14)
A3 Blood Is Thicker Than Water (7:19)
A4 Kiss And Make Up (2:48)
B1 Be Thankful For What You Got (7:12)
B2 Sing A Love Song (3:26)
B3 You Can Do It (3:38)
B4 Something’s Being Done (3:44)
GET DOWN HERE
