Esther Phillips
Esther Phillips, born Esther Mae Jones on December 23, 1935, in Galveston, Texas, was an influential American singer known primarily for her R&B vocals. Phillips began singing at a young age, initially in church, where her talent was recognized early on. By the time she was 13, she had already made a name for herself, performing with the legendary Johnny Otis revue in Los Angeles, showcasing her ability to sing mature blues songs that were remarkable for her young age.
Throughout her career, Phillips experienced significant highs and lows. She gained fame in the late 1940s and early 1950s and became one of the early teen idols of her time. However, by the time she was just 26 years old, she had fallen from grace and was viewed as a has-been, despite her earlier success. The nature of the music industry and personal challenges contributed to these fluctuations in her career.
Esther’s life was marked by both triumph and turmoil, including struggles with addiction. Despite these hardships, she continued to produce music and remained a respected figure in the jazz and R&B genres. Unfortunately, she faced significant health challenges in her later years, which culminated in her passing from liver and kidney failure on August 7, 1984, in Los Angeles, California. At the time of her death, she was only 48 years old.
In summary, Esther Phillips' legacy is that of a talented but troubled artist whose remarkable voice and early contributions to music left a lasting impact on the R&B genre, despite her struggles with personal and professional challenges throughout her life.
Capricorn Princess
Bass – Jeff Berlin
Drums – Andy Newmark
Guitar – John Tropea
Percussion – Ralph MacDonald
Piano, Organ [Caliope] – Don Grolnick
Saxophone [Baritone] – Ronnie Cuber
Saxophone [Tenor] – Mike Brecker
Synthesizer – Barry Miles
Trombone – Sam Burtis
Trumpet – Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker
Written-By – Walker, Montana, Jr 2:59
A2 I Haven't Got Anything Better To Do
Bass – Anthony Jackson
Drums – Steve Gadd
Guitar – Steve Khan
Percussion – Sue Evans
Piano – Mike Abene
Violin [Electric] – John Blair
Written-By – Pockriss, Vance 3:37
A3 Boy, I Really Tied One On
Bass – Jeff Berlin
Clavinet – Bobby Lyle
Drums – Andy Newmark
Guitar – Eric Gale
Percussion – Ralph MacDonald
Saxophone [Baritone] – Ronnie Cuber
Saxophone [Tenor] – Mike Brecker
Steel Guitar [Pedal] – Allan Holdsworth
Trombone – Sam Burtis
Trumpet – Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker
Written-By – Ian 3:46
A4 Candy
Bass – Anthony Jackson
Drums – Steve Gadd
Guitar – Eric Gale
Piano – Don Grolnick
Saxophone [Tenor] – Pee Wee Ellis
Trombone – Barry Rogers
Trumpet – John Gatchell
Written-By – Kramer, Whitney, David 5:15
B1 A Beautiful Friendship
Bass – Anthony Jackson
Drums – Steve Gadd
Guitar – Steve Khan
Piano – Mike Abene
Written-By – Kahn, Styne 2:52
B2 (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher & Higher
Bass – Jeff Berlin
Clavinet – Don Grolnick
Drums – Andy Newmark
Guitar – Eric Gale
Percussion – Ralph MacDonald
Saxophone [Baritone] – Ronnie Cuber
Saxophone [Tenor] – Mike Brecker
Trombone – Sam Burtis
Trumpet – Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker
Written-By – Smith, Jackson, Miner 3:55
B3 All The Way Down
Bass – Jeff Berlin
Clavinet – Don Grolnick
Drums – Andy Newmark
Guitar – John Tropea
Harmonica – Hugh McCracken
Percussion – Ralph MacDonald
Saxophone [Baritone] – Ronnie Cuber
Saxophone [Tenor], Flute [Alto] – Joe Farrell
Written-By – Williamson, Mekler, Lawrence 6:22
B4 Dream
Bass – Anthony Jackson
Drums – Steve Gadd
Guitar – Steve Khan
Percussion – Sue Evans
Piano – Mike Abene
Saxophone [Tenor] – Pee Wee Ellis
Synthesizer – Barry Miles
Trombone – Barry Rogers
Trumpet – John Gatchell
Written-By – Mercer 3:51
Label: Kudu – KU 31
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Jazz, Soul
Style: Jazz-Funk, Disco
Esther Phillips' 1976 Capricorn Princess album, her final for Kudu, is praised for showcasing her unique voice, blending soulful ballads like "I Haven't Got Anything Better To Do" and "Candy" with disco-funk attempts, though some dance tracks feel forced; highlights include the humorous "Boy, I Really Tied One On" and funky "All The Way Down," with top session players adding depth, making it a strong, albeit mixed, record capturing her humor, drama, and distinctive "vinegar with a bit of honey" sound.
Reviewers consistently laud Phillips' ability to infuse lyrics with deep feeling, even on covers, using her distinctive, expressive voice. The ballads, especially "I Haven't Got Anything Better To Do," "Beautiful Friendship," and "Candy," are considered standout tracks, revealing her interpretive power. The album features elite session players like Steve Gadd, Ralph MacDonald, and Eric Gale, elevating the material.
Following her hit "What A Difference A Day Makes," the album tries disco with tracks like "Magic's In The Air" and "Dream," though some find these corny or unsuccessful compared to her ballads, notes Louder Than War. "Boy, I Really Tied One On," a Janis Ian cover, is a pivotal track, showcasing her streetwise wit and humor, but also carries a poignant undertone about addiction, say Louder Than War.
Capricorn Princess is seen as a significant, though sometimes uneven, final Kudu record, best appreciated for its classic ballads and Phillips' inimitable vocals, making it a must-have for fans despite its disco missteps.
Reissues from Soul Music Records offer bonus tracks like extended mixes of "Magic's In The Air" and "Boy, I Really Tied One On," enhancing its value.
Here’s Esther...Are You Ready
Written-By – Chuck Jackson, Marvin Yancy
4:02
A2 Philadelphia Freedom
Written-By – Elton John & Bernie Taupin
5:38
A3 I Hope You'll Be Very Unhappy Without Me
Written-By – Bill LaBounty, Jay Senter
3:55
A4 Love Makes A Woman
Written-By – Carl Davis, Eugene Record, Gerald Sims, William Sanders
5:27
B1 Our Day Will Come
Written-By – Bob Hilliard, Mort Garson
5:28
B2 Bedtime Stories
Written-By – Jonah Ellis
3:45
B3 Oo Oop Oo Oop
Written-By – Alvin Fields, Michael Zager
5:30
B4 I'll Close My Eyes
Written-By – Eunice Burgess, James Burgess, Red Rowe
4:03
Label: Mercury – SRM-1-3769
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
Esther Phillips' Here's Esther...Are You Ready (1979) is a highly-regarded soul/disco album, praised for its unique interpretations of contemporary hits like Elton John's "Philadelphia Freedom" and Natalie Cole's "Mr. Melody," alongside standout tracks like "Bedtime Stories" and "Our Day Will Come," showcasing her distinctive, bluesy vocals and ability to blend pop, soul, and funk with great production. It's often bundled with her subsequent album, Good Black Is Hard to Crack, and seen as a peak in her Mercury Records era, featuring excellent material and solid grooves.
Reviewers frequently mention her voice, comparing it to Dinah Washington or Billie Holiday, noting its sultry, bluesy, and sometimes trumpet-like quality. She breathed new life into popular songs, making them distinctly her own, notes this Amazon review.
The album blends smooth soul, disco, and funk, enhanced by keyboards and backing vocals, creating a rich soundscape. Produced by Harvey Mason, it's considered a strong, well-produced effort.
Standout Tracks: "Mr. Melody," "Philadelphia Freedom," "Our Day Will Come," "Bedtime Stories," and "Oo Oop Oo Oop" are often cited as favorites, says this Discogs entry.
Overall, Here's Esther...Are You Ready is celebrated as a superb album showcasing Esther Phillips at her best, delivering soulful depth and danceable tracks, making it a favorite for fans of classic soul, disco, and rare groove.
Performance
Written-By – Chris Smither 8:24
A2 Performance
Written-By – Allen Toussaint 5:23
A3 Doing Our Thing
Written-By – A. Lee, C. Carter, C. McCants 3:34
B1 Disposable Society
Written-By – Eugene McDaniels 5:15
B2 Living Alone (We're Gonna Make It)
Written-By – Barnes, Lynn, Pendarvis 5:19
B3 Such A Night
Written-By – Mac Rebennack 3:20
B4 Can't Trust Your Neighbor With Your Baby
Written-By – Isaac Hayes/David Porter 3:53
Label: Kudu – KU 18
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Soul, Jazz
Style: Soul-Jazz, Jazz-Funk
Esther Phillips' 1974 album Performance is a highly regarded studio album that expertly blends funk, soul, and R&B with jazz and gospel influences. Despite the title, it is a studio recording, not a live album, and features Phillips' unique, "lustrous and gritty" soulful vocals backed by an impressive roster of Kudu "house" musicians.
Critics praise Performance as a strong entry in Phillips' Kudu discography, showcasing her ability to deliver emotionally intense vocals across various styles. The album generally has a slightly darker, less smooth sound compared to some of her other Kudu releases, with a notable R&B undercurrent.
The album successfully merges different genres, featuring danceable soul grooves, blues-infused tracks, and R&B numbers with a gospel feel.
Phillips' distinctive "taut, clipped voice" conveys a wide range of emotions, allowing her to truly inhabit the songs she interprets.
The album benefits from top-tier musicianship, with contributions from renowned artists such as Pepper Adams (baritone sax), Hubert Laws (flute), Bob James and Richard Tee (piano), Eric Weissberg (steel guitar), and Ralph MacDonald (percussion). The arrangements are tasteful and balance the orchestral elements with Phillips' voice.
While the entire album is considered a quality recording, specific tracks often highlighted in reviews include:
"Performance": The title track is an R&B number that features a noticeable country-flavored steel guitar, creating an interesting cross-genre sound.
"Such a Night": This track is noted for its "tack piano" work by Richard Tee.
"I Feel the Same" and "Living Alone (We're Gonna Make It)": These tracks are often cited as excellent examples of the album's strong material.
"Disposable Society": A funky, urban track where Phillips establishes a strong presence within the musical environment.
Overall, Performance is considered an excellent record that shows a mature, blues-savvy Phillips at the top of her game, delivering a compelling and varied set of songs with expert accompaniment.