Laura Lee
Laura Lee is an American soul and gospel singer and songwriter, born Laura Lee Newton on March 9, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. She rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s with hits celebrating women's experiences, such as "Dirty Man" and "Women's Love Rights."
Laura Lee moved to Detroit as a child with her mother and was adopted by Rev. E. Allan Rundless, a former Soul Stirrers member, and his wife Ernestine, leader of the gospel group The Meditation Singers. She joined the group as Laura Lee Rundless in 1956, replacing Della Reese, and toured widely while recording for labels like Specialty and Checker.
She launched her secular solo career in 1965, recording for Ric-Tic and then Chess Records, where "Dirty Man" hit #13 R&B in 1968 at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals. Other Chess successes included "Up Tight Good Man" (#16 R&B) and "As Long As I Got You" (#31 R&B).
Signing with Invictus/Hot Wax in the 1970s, she released feminist anthems like "Women's Love Rights" (#11 R&B, #36 Pop) and "Love And Liberty" (#23 R&B). She moved to Ariola in 1975 but retired due to illness, returning in 1983 with gospel work alongside Al Green and later as an ordained minister.
I Can't Make It Alone
Written-By – Brian Holland, Eddie Holland
3:09
A2 Don't Leave Me Starving For Your Love
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland
3:02
A3 We've Come Too Far To Walk Away
Written-By – Brian Holland, Eddie Holland
4:52
A4 Every Little Bit Hurts
Written-By – Ed Cobb
6:08
B1 Crumbs Off The Table
Written-By – Edith Wayne, Ron Dunbar
3:34
B2 I Need It Just As Bad As You
Written-By – Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, R. Wylie
3:00
B3 (If You Want To Try Love Again) Remember Me
Written-By – Holland-Dozier-Holland
4:00
B4 Mirror Of Your Soul
Written-By – A. Bond, D. Brown, W. Weatherspoon
4:47
Label: Invictus – KZ 33133
Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Soul
Laura Lee's I Can't Make It Alone (1974/1975) is a highly regarded deep soul and funk album produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland (HDH). Known for her signature raw, gravelly vocals, Lee delivers intense emotional performances on this LP, showcasing great range, dramatic phrasing, and a mixture of gritty funk and heartfelt ballads.
Recorded in Los Angeles, the album features strong production from the famous Motown team Holland-Dozier-Holland, providing a polished yet soulful, sometimes funky, backdrop.
Key Tracks:-
"Crumbs Off The Table": A standout "breakbeat classic" known for its hard-hitting drums.
"I Can't Make It Alone": The title track, which some critics found to be a surprising thematic shift from her earlier, more militant "women's rights" persona.
"Every Little Bit Hurts": A lengthy, 6-minute soulful rendition of the Brenda Holloway classic.
"I Need It Just As Bad As You": frequently cited as a highlight for its groove and vocal delivery.
Robert Christgau praised the album, noting that Lee shows impressive singing skills, achieving a "gratifying fullness (even softness)" while maintaining her natural rasp, effectively using her range for dramatic effect.
The album blends deep soul with funk, with some tracks leaning toward intense, slow-burner ballads (e.g., "Love More Than Pride") and others toward funkier grooves.
The album is praised for its "stellar blend" of strings and soul, with arrangements by H.B. Barnum and Eugene Moore. It is noted for successfully mixing Southern soul sensibilities with modern funk elements.
The album maintains a strong reputation among soul enthusiasts, holding high average ratings on community platforms like Discogs (typically 4.3 to 4.6 out of 5).
It is often considered a high point in her career, reflecting her time on the Hot Wax label, which produced some of her most acclaimed work.
Love More Than Pride
Producer – Cash McCall
Producer, Arranged By – Gene Barge
Written-By – B. Foster, E. Jordan
2:08
A2 Another Man's Woman
Producer, Arranged By – Rick Hall
Written-By – G. Barge, L. Jordan
2:37
A3 It Ain't What You Do (But How You Do It)
Producer, Arranged By – Rick Hall
Written-By – Hughes
2:10
A4 She Don't Love You
Producer, Arranged By – Rick Hall
Written-By – C. Carter, C. Mayfield, J. Butler
2:36
A5 It's All Wrong, But It's Alright
Producer, Arranged By – Rick Hall
Written-By – E. Hinton, M. Greene
2:41
A6 I Need To Belong To Someone
Producer, Arranged By – Rick Hall
Written-By – C. Mayfield
2:22
B1 Dirty Old Man
Producer, Arranged By – Rick Hall
Written-By – B. Miller
2:45
B2 But You Know I Love You
Producer – Cash McCall
Producer, Arranged By – Gene Barge
Written-By – M. Settle, Delanoe
2:48
B3 That's How It Is
Producer – Cash McCall
Producer, Arranged By – Gene Barge
Written-By – M. Dollison
2:34
B4 It's How You Make It Good
Producer, Arranged By – Rick Hall
Written-By – G. Barge, L. Webber
2:25
B5 Love More Than Pride
Producer – Cash McCall
Producer, Arranged By – Gene Barge
Written-By – G. Barge, M. Dollison
2:34
Label: Chess – CH 50031
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Sixties Soul
Two Sides Of Laura Lee
Written-By – H. Warren, M. Gordon 4:38
A2 Every Little Bit Hurts
Written-By – E. Cobb 6:08
A3 Guess Who I Saw Today
Written-By – E. Boyd, M. Grand 3:51
A4 Crumbs Off The Table
Written-By – E. Wayne, R. Dunbar, S. Payne 3:34
B1 If You Can Beat Me Rockin' (You Can Have My Chair)
Written-By – Holland, Dozier, Dunbar 2:52
B2 Workin' And Lovin' Together
Written-By – A. Bond, D. Brown, W. Weatherspoon 2:33
B3 Rip Off
Written-By – A. Bond, W. Weatherspoon 3:15
B4 When A Man Loves A Woman
Written-By – A. Wright, C. Lewis 5:19
B5 You've Got To Save Me
Written-By – D. Brown, W. Weatherspoon 3:16
Label: Hot Wax – HA 714
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Southern Soul, Funk
Laura Lee 's Two Sides Of Laura Lee (1972) is a celebrated soul/funk album, praised for showcasing her powerful, husky voice with classic tracks like the funky "Rip Off" and the soulful "Crumbs Off The Table," blending late 60s Southern soul with 70s funk from the Holland-Dozier-Holland Hot Wax label.
While some find the material formulaic compared to her Chess Records work, reviewers consistently laud her exceptional vocal performance, capturing both hard-edged funk and vulnerable ballads, making it a cornerstone of Southern soul and funk.
Lee's emotive, husky voice is the centerpiece, able to deliver both gritty funk and tender ballads with raw power.
The album perfectly captures the dynamic between soulful, string-laden ballads (Side 1) and hard-hitting, horn-driven funk stompers (Side 2).
It features essential deep soul cuts like "At Last," "Guess Who I Saw Today," "Every Little Bit Hurts," and the breakout funk hit "Rip Off".
Primarily produced by William Weatherspoon (formerly of Motown) for the Invictus/Hot Wax label.
The album truly embodies its title, presenting both her smooth, sentimental side and her tough, funky persona.
Considered a standout in soul music, often compared favorably to greats like Aretha Franklin for its depth and power. Many see Lee as an under-recognized talent whose work on this album deserves wider acclaim.
A must-have for fans of authentic Southern soul and funk from the era. In essence, Two Sides Of Laura Lee is celebrated as a definitive album, showcasing Lee's incredible vocal talent across two distinct but equally compelling sides of soul and funk music.
Women's Love RightsWomen s Love Rights Womens Love Rights
Written By – W. Weatherspoon, A. Bond
3:13
A2 Wedlock Is A Padlock
Written By – W. Weatherspoon, A. Bond, G.Perry
3:08
A3 I Don't Want Nothin' Old (But Money)
Written By – W. Weatherspoon, A. Bond
2:33
A4 (Don't Be Sorry) Be Careful If You Can't Be Good
Written By – W. Weatherspoon, A. Bond, R. McFarlin
2:43
A5 Love And Liberty
Written By – W. Weatherspoon, A. Bond
3:03
A6 It's Not What You Fall For, It's What You Stand For
Written-By – Holland-Dozier
6:36
B1 Since I Fell For You
Written-By – Buddy Johnson
8:08
B2 Two Lovely Pillows
Written By – W. Weatherspoon, A. Bond
3:36
B3 That's How Strong My Love Is
Written-By – Roosevelt Jamison
3:16
B4 Her Picture Matches Mine
Written-By – Weatherspoon
3:52
Label: Hot Wax – HA 708
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul