Lou Rawls
Lou Rawls was an acclaimed American singer known for his smooth baritone voice spanning jazz, soul, gospel, and R&B genres. Born Louis Allen Rawls on December 1, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, he rose to fame with over 60 albums and more than 40 million records sold.
Rawls grew up on Chicago's South Side, raised by his grandmother after his father left the family. He began singing at age seven in a Baptist church choir and drew inspiration from performances at the Regal Theater by artists like Billy Eckstine.
In his teens, Rawls sang gospel with Sam Cooke in the Teenage Kings of Harmony, later joining groups like the Highway Q.C.'s and Pilgrim Travelers. He went solo in 1962 after a near-fatal 1958 car crash that left him in a coma for days.
Rawls earned three Grammy Awards: for "Dead End Street" (1967), "A Natural Man" (1971), and the album Unmistakably Lou (1977). His biggest hit, "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" (1976), topped R&B charts and peaked at number two on pop charts.
Rawls acted in films like Blues Brothers 2000, voiced cartoons, and hosted the United Negro College Fund telethon, raising over $200 million. He died on January 6, 2006, in Los Angeles at age 72 from lung cancer.
Shades of Blue
Written-By – D. Moore
3:30
A2 Cottage For Sale
Written-By – L. Conley, W. Robinson
4:00
A3 Be Anything (But Be Mine)
Written-By – I. Gordon
3:45
A4 You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
Written-By – B. Mann, C. Weil, P. Spector
5:19
B1 I Go Crazy
Written-By – P. Davis
3:45
B2 Think
Written-By – A. Franklin, T. White
3:30
B3 Hoochie Coochie Man
Written-By – W. Dixon
7:50
B4 Baby What You Want Me To Do
Written-By – J. Reed
3:34
Label: Philadelphia International Records – JZ 36774
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul
Lou Rawls’s Shades of Blue (1980) is often celebrated as a smooth, sophisticated fusion of classic soul, jazz-inflected phrasing, and breezy R&B. Released during his tenure with Philadelphia International Records, the album captures Rawls in a mature, elegant state, utilizing his signature baritone to navigate both laid-back grooves and lush orchestrations.
Reviewers describe the album as "effortlessly elegant" and compare its vibe to a "velvet conversation" at a smoky supper club. It leans more toward blues and jazz-influenced arrangements than his standard high-energy Philly Soul tracks.
A young Whitney Houston (then 16 or 17) provides background vocals on the record, with her mother, Cissy Houston, receiving special thanks in the album credits.
The album maintains a solid reputation among collectors, typically holding an average rating of 4.0/5 to 4.6/5 across major music databases like Discogs.
While some fans of pure Philadelphia Soul might find it less "poppy" than hits like "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine," others praise it as one of the best examples of Atlantic-style jazz/soul/blues fusion.
For those looking to explore this era of his career, Shades of Blue is frequently paired with the album Family Reunion in modern CD reissues. You can find various editions and vinyl copies through Amazon or Discogs.
She’s Gone
Arranged By – Alexander Hamilton
Written-By – William Bell 3:50
A2 She's Gone
Arranged By – Tom Sellers
Written-By – D. Hall-J. Oates 3:27
A3 Feel Like Makin' Love
Arranged By – Carmen Caramonica
Written-By – E. McDaniels 3:44
A4 Now You're Coming Back Michelle
Arranged By – Ian Freebairn-Smith
Written-By – B. Raleigh, H. David 3:04
A5 A Smile Can't Hide A Broken Heart
Arranged By – Alexander Hamilton
Written-By – Booker T. Jones, William Bell 2:02
A6 Hourglass
Arranged By – Ian Freebairn-Smith
Written-By – Pamela Phillips 2:25
B1 Let It Be Now
Arranged By – Tom Sellers
Written-By – David Pomeranz 3:45
B2 Got It Here To Give
Arranged By – Alexander Hamilton
Written-By – B. Olive, K. Nolan 2:52
B3 Baby You Don't Know How Good You Are
Arranged By – Ian Freebairn-Smith
Written-By – G. Williams, J. Barry 2:55
B4 Keep The Faith
Arranged By [Horns] – Ian Freebairn-Smith
Arranged By [Tracks] – Tom Sellers
Written-By – Mark James 3:17
B5 You're A Lady
Arranged By – Ian Freebairn-Smith
Written-By – Peter Skellern 4:35
Label: Bell Records – BELL 1318
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Lou Rawls' album She's Gone is an R&B and soul record that features his cover version of the Hall & Oates hit, as well as a blend of gospel soul, smooth tracks, and spoken-word segments.
The album captures Rawls during a transitional period in his career between his time with Capitol and his hugely successful tenure with Philadelphia International Records, which began two years later with All Things in Time. Reviewers have described the album as an "absolutely fantastic" listen, highlighting its diverse tracklist.
The record blends classic 1970s R&B sounds with Rawls' signature smooth baritone voice. Notable aspects of the album include:
Gospel Influence: The first track has been described as "gospel soul," connecting to Rawls' early roots in Chicago gospel groups.
Smooth Soul: Several tracks, such as "Makin' Love," offer a very smooth and mellow sound.
Spoken Word: The album also features spoken-word segments, a style Rawls was known for incorporating into his music.
The album features notable session musicians including Joe Sample, Larry Carlton, Ray Parker Jr., and David T. Walker. It was praised for the quality and variety of its material and vocal performances upon release.
In essence, She's Gone offers a nostalgic, classy listening experience, capturing Rawls' smooth elegance with an updated 70s soul sound that remains highly regarded by fans.
Soulin’
Written-By – J. W. Alexander, Lowell Jordan 2:37
A2 Love Is A Hurtin' Thing
Written-By – Bob Raleigh, Dave Linden 2:15
A3 So Hard To Laugh, So Easy To Cry
Written-By – Cecil Carter, Rich Askam 3:16
A4 You're The One
Written-By – Adolph Smith 2:35
A5 Don't Explain
Written-By – Arthur Herzog, Jr., Billie Holiday 3:01
A6 What Now My Love
Written-By – Carl Sigman, Becaud, Delanoe 3:56
B1 Memory Lane
Written-By – J.W. Alexander, Sam Cooke 2:16
B2 Old Man's Memories (Monologue) 2:18
B3 It Was A Very Good Year
Written-By – Ervin Drake 2:51
B4 Growing Old Gracefully (Monologue) 0:18
B5 Old Folks
Written-By – Dedette Lee Hill, Willard Robison 2:16
B6 Autumn Leaves
Written-By – Prevert, Mercer, Kosma 2:37
B7 On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)
Written-By – Alan Jay Lerner, Burton Lane 2:36
B8 Breaking My Back (Instead Of Using My Mind)
Written-By – John Anderson, Lou Rawls Jr. 2:23
Label:
Capitol Records – T 2566, Capitol Records – T-2566
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono, Scranton Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1966
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
Lou Rawls' 1966 album Soulin' is considered a classic and essential work in his discography, highly praised by critics and fans for its blend of soul, jazz, and R&B, featuring his powerful, unique baritone voice and storytelling style.
The album is noted for Lou Rawls' shift into soul material, where his gospel background shines through, moving beyond earlier jazz or blues progressions. The arrangements by David Axelrod are described as "super-tight" and jazzy, creating a sophisticated yet soulful sound.
Reviewers consistently highlight Rawls' exceptional vocal talent, describing his voice as "velvety," "captivating," and full of power and range. His ability to smoothly transition from gritty soul to silky jazz tones is a major strength of the album.
The album is famous for "Love Is a Hurtin' Thing," Rawls' first major R&B hit single that helped put him on the mainstream map. Another standout feature is his use of spoken monologues, particularly "Memory Lane," which sets up his version of "It Was a Very Good Year," a trademark of his live performances that connects deeply with the listener.
Soulin' established Lou Rawls as a major soul artist, paving the way for future Grammy wins and platinum albums by fully embracing soul music and showcasing his unique blend of vocal talent and captivating stage presence.