Jimmy Lewis
Jimmy Lewis was an American soul singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer known for his work with the Drifters and Ray Charles.
James Eddie Lewis was born on November 19, 1937, in Itta Bena, Mississippi. He relocated to Los Angeles by the late 1950s, where he began collaborating with songwriter Cliff Chambers and arranger James Carmichael.
Lewis joined the Drifters in 1963 as lead singer, replacing Bobby Hendricks, and stayed for two years. He released solo singles on labels like Minit, including "The Girls from Texas," and later worked extensively with Ray Charles, writing tracks for the 1969 Grammy-nominated album Doing His Thing and the 1970 hit "If You Were Mine." In 1974, he issued the album Totally Involved on Hotlanta, featuring his only solo chart hit "Help Me Understand You" at number 95 on the R&B chart.
Lewis wrote hits like Z.Z. Hill's 1977 "Love Is So Good When You're Stealing It" and continued producing for artists including Latimore and Peggy Scott-Adams into the 1990s via his Miss Butch label. He released later albums such as Soupbone (2003) and worked with Ray Charles on projects like Strong Love Affair (1996).
Lewis passed away on September 11, 2004, in Los Angeles at age 66 from unknown causes.
Totally Involved
A2 There Ain't No Man That Can't Be Caught 3:16
A3 Is That Any Way To Treat A Lady 4:05
A4 How Long Is A Heartache Suppose To Last 3:48
B1 Thank You 3:54
B2 Go On Live Your Life 3:42
B3 That Won't Stop Me From Loving You 4:29
B4 Help Me Understand You 4:02
Produced, written and arranged by Jimmy Lewis
Label: Hotlanta – HA50000
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Southern Soul
Jimmy Lewis's 1974 album Totally Involved is a highly acclaimed Southern soul masterpiece, celebrated for its raw emotion, gritty vocals, and philosophical lyrics delivered with a "dyed in the red Georgia soil grit and passion". It is considered one of the greatest Southern soul albums of the 1970s.
Critics praise the album as a "veritable collage of sounds" that encapsulates a decade of Southern soul music.
Lewis is known for his "raspy-voiced monologue[s]" and "gritty, no-nonsense adlibs". His voice is described as "cracklin', gruffy, lowdown pipes" that deliver powerful, testifying vocals full of raw emotion.
The album blends various soul, R&B, and blues styles, ranging from lazy, bluesy beats with gospel influences to mid-tempo groovers with horns and xylophone. One track has a slight Philly Soul groove, but Lewis's vocals ensure it remains distinctly Southern.
Lewis is noted for his "philosophical musings" and "sermons" on life and relationships. He often overdubbed his own voice for a second vocal, adding punchy ad-libs that enhance the narrative.
The arrangements are described as rich and effective, featuring purring organs, sweet female backing vocals, jaunty guitars, incisive bass, and well-arranged strings.
Overall, Totally Involved is considered a landmark recording in Southern soul music, highly regarded by collectors and critics alike.