Lou Courtney
Lou Courtney was an American soul singer, songwriter, and producer known for his dance-oriented hits in the 1960s and 1970s. Born Louis Russell Pegues on August 15, 1943, in Buffalo, New York, he passed away on June 25, 2021, at age 77.
He graduated from Hutchinson Central Technical High School in 1962 and began recording as Lew Courtney for Imperial Records that year. In New York City, he wrote songs under his birth name for artists like Chubby Checker and Mary Wells, including her 1964 hit "Ain't It the Truth," and co-wrote pop tracks like "Find My Way Back Home" for the Nashville Teens with Dennis Lambert.
Courtney signed with Riverside Records in 1966, releasing dance hits such as "Skate Now" (No. 13 R&B, No. 71 Pop in 1967) and "Do the Thing" (No. 17 R&B, No. 80 Pop), often co-written and produced with Robert Bateman. He issued singles on labels like Pop-Side, Verve, Buddah, and Epic, with later R&B charters including "What Do You Want Me To Do" (1973) and "I Don't Need Anybody Else" (1974).
Albums: Skate Now - Shing-A-Ling (1967), I’m In Need of Love (1974), Buffalo Smoke (1976 with his band).?
He produced for artists like Lorraine Ellison and Betty Mabry, appeared on Bonnie Raitt's 1974 album Streetlights, and briefly joined The 5th Dimension in 1978.
After a stroke, he lived in New York City and made occasional live appearances until his death in 2021.
I’m In Need Of Love
Arranged By, Keyboards – L. Leon Pendarvis
Backing Vocals [Background Singers] – Carl Hall, Peggy Blue
Bass – Bob Babbit
Drums – Andrew Smith
Guitar – David Spinozza, Glen Goins
Percussion – Arthur Jenkins
Vibraphone [Vibes], Timpani – Dave Carey 5:40
A2 Since I First Laid Eyes On You
Arranged By, Keyboards – L. Leon Pendarvis
Bass – Bob Babbit
Drums – Andrew Smith
Guitar – Glen Goins, Jerry Friedman
Percussion – Arthur Jenkins
Vibraphone – Dave Carey
Vocals [Background] – Carl Hall 3:44
A3 What Do You Want Me To Do
Arranged By – Jerry Ragovoy
Bass – Bob Babbit
Drums – Andrew Smith
Guitar – Keith Loving
Keyboards – L. Leon Pendarvis
Percussion – Ralph MacDonald
Vocals [Background] – Carl Hall 2:50
A4 The Best Thing A Man Can Ever Do For His Woman
Arranged By, Keyboards – L. Leon Pendarvis
Bass – Bob Babbit
Drums – Andrew Smith
Guitar – Glen Goins, Jerry Friedman
Percussion – Arthur Jenkins
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Dave Carey
Vocals [Background] – Carl Hall, Natalie Venable 5:08
A5 I Will, If You Will
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements], Keyboards – L. Leon Pendarvis
Bass – Bob Babbit
Drums – Andrew Smith
Guitar – David Spinozza, Glen Goins
Horns, Strings – Larry Wilcox
Percussion – Arthur Jenkins
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Dave Carey
Vocals [Background] – Carl Hall, Natalie Venable 4:50
B1 Somebody New Is Lovin' On You
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangments], Keyboards – L. Leon Pendarvis
Bass – Bob Babbit
Drums – Andrew Smith
Guitar – David Spinozza, Glen Goins
Horns, Strings – Jerry Ragovoy
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Dave Carey
Vocals [Background] – Carl Hall, Peggy Blue 5:29
B2 I'm Serious About Lovin' You
Arranged By – Jerry Ragovoy
Bass – Bob Babbit
Drums – Andrew Smith
Guitar – David Spinozza, Glen Goins
Horns, Strings – Larry Wilcox
Keyboards – L. Leon Pendarvis
Percussion – Arthur Jenkins
Vocals [Background] – Carl Hall, Natalie Venable 4:55
B3 I Don't Need Nobody Else
Arranged By – Jerry Ragovoy
Bass – Bob Babbit
Drums – Andrew Smith
Guitar – Keith Loving
Keyboards – L. Leon Pendarvis
Percussion – Ralph MacDonald
Vocals [Background] – Carl Hall 3:34
B4 Just To Let Him Break Your Heart
Arranged By, Keyboards – L. Leon Pendarvis
Bass – Bob Babbit
Drums – Andrew Smith
Guitar – Glen Goins, Jerry Friedman
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Dave Carey
Vocals [Background] – Carl Hall, Natalie Venable 4:23
B5 I'm In Need Of Love
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements], Keyboards – L. Leon Pendarvis
Bass – Bob Babbit
Drums – Andrew Smith
Guitar – Glen Goins, Keith Loving
Horns, Strings – Larry Wilcox
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Dave Carey
Vocals [Background] – Carl Hall, Peggy Blue 4:14
Label: Epic – KE 33011
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Lou Courtney's 1974 album I'm In Need of Love is a highly regarded, albeit under-appreciated, masterpiece of 1970s soul music. Often described as some of the best modern soul ever made, the album is celebrated for its lush arrangements, soulful vocals, and emotionally resonant lyrics.
The album is a cult classic and is considered an essential record for soul fans, with Blues & Soul magazine reportedly rating it the "best soul album of all time".
Co-produced by the legendary Jerry Ragovoy and arranged by Leon Pendarvis, the album features sophisticated "New York soul" with rich instrumentation, including full strings and horns. The production is noted for its quality and depth, allowing each song to have its own unique groove while maintaining a cohesive feel.
Courtney's vocals are described as superb, expressive, emotive, and intensely soulful. The album's themes revolve around love, commitment, heartache, and life, delivered with authenticity and emotional honesty.
Despite its high quality, the album did not achieve the commercial success of contemporary artists like Marvin Gaye, leading many to consider it vastly underrated.
In summary, I'm In Need of Love is a hidden gem in 70s soul, praised by critics and fans alike as a deeply moving and musically accomplished work.