The Sweet Inspirations - The Atlantic Years (2-CD Set)

Format: 2 x CD
Catalogue No.: RLGM4002632PMI
Barcode: 848064002635
Release Date: 01 Oct 2021
Genre: Soul / R&B

Initially created from the ranks of a group of ‘60s female background session singers that at one time included Dionne Warwick, her sister Dee Dee, adopted sister Judy Clay and “Just One Look” singer Doris Troy, The Sweet Inspirations became an official Atlantic recording artist after being the label’s go-to studio backup vocal group for many of the label’s primary artists including Aretha Franklin (with whom they toured in 1967 and 1968), Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke, The Drifters, and Esther Phillips among others.
Consisting of Emily “Cissy” Houston (who took Dee Dee Warwick’s place when she launched her own solo career in 1965), Sylvia Shemwell (sister of Judy Clay), and gospel singers Estelle Brown and Myrna Smith (who knew Dionne and Dee Dee during their teen years at New Hope Baptist Church), The Sweet Inspirations enjoyed their first hit single in 1967 with their interpretation of The Staples Singers’ “Why (Am I Treated So Bad).” The song was written for them by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham, who played on a number of the group’s Memphis sessions.

In 1969, the group was hired by Elvis Presley as his vocal backup group and spent a number of years on the road with him. Cissy Houston left the group in 1970 to pursue a solo career; Estelle, Sylvia, and Myrna continued recording as a trio with Stax Records and RSO Records. 

The Atlantic Years presents 37 tracks, including the A and B sides of the group’s 18 singles (with the 1970 hit, “Gotta Find Me A Brand New Lover,” originally released as Pt. 1 & 2, combined into one track), one cut unearthed from the Atlantic vaults in 2004 and previously only available on an out-of-print US compilation, and three previously unreleased sides (including a six-minute-plus medley of “Little Green Apples,” Aretha Franklin’s “Think,” and The Beatles’ “Something”). The 2-CD set includes photos and notes by SoulMusic Records’ David Nathan, with remastering by Mike Milchner of SonicVision. Quite possibly the greatest backup vocal group of them all, finally in the spotlight!

CD ONE
1. WHY (AM I TREATED SO BAD)?
2. I DON’T WANT TO GO ON WITHOUT YOU
3. LET IT BE ME
4. WHEN SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY BABY
5. THAT’S HOW STRONG MY LOVE IS
6. I’VE BEEN LOVING YOU TOO LONG
7. OH! WHAT A FOOL I’VE BEEN
8. DON’T FIGHT IT
9. DO RIGHT WOMAN, DO RIGHT MAN
10. REACH OUT FOR ME
11. SWEET INSPIRATION
12. I’M BLUE
13. TO LOVE SOMEBODY
14. WHERE DID IT GO?
15. UNCHAINED MELODY
16. AM I EVER GONNA SEE MY BABY AGAIN
17. WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE
18. YOU REALLY DIDN’T MEAN IT
CD TWO
1. CRYING IN THE RAIN
2. EVERYDAY WILL BE LIKE A HOLIDAY
3. SWEETS FOR MY SWEET
4. GET A LITTLE ORDER
5. DON’T GO
6. CHAINED
7. GOTTA FIND ME A BRAND NEW
LOVER, PTS. 1 & 2
8. AT LAST I’VE FOUND A LOVE
9. THAT’S THE WAY MY BABY IS
10. THEM BOYS
11. FLASH IN THE PAN
12. THIS WORLD
13. LIGHT SINGS
14. EVIDENCE
15. CHANGE ME NOT
16. AIN’T NOTHING GONNA CHANGE ME
17. I’VE BEEN INSPIRED TO LOVE YOU
18. LITTLE GREEN APPLES/THINK/ SOMETHING
19. MAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF