Garnet Mimms
Garnet Mimms, originally named Garrett Mimms, was born on November 16, 1933, in Ashland, West Virginia. He spent part of his childhood in Philadelphia, where he was introduced to music through his family's gospel roots, singing alongside his mother in church at a young age.
Mimms began his professional music career in the 1950s, and he quickly gained recognition in the genres of soul music and rhythm and blues. His powerful voice and emotive singing style helped him to become an influential figure in these musical movements. Mimms first achieved significant success with his hit single "Cry Baby," which showcased his unique vocal ability and deep emotional delivery.
Throughout his career, he collaborated with various artists and contributed to several noteworthy projects, solidifying his reputation in the music industry. His music often reflected the themes and styles characteristic of the soul genre, making him a beloved figure among fans of the genre.
Garnet Mimms' contributions to music, particularly in soul and rhythm and blues, have left a lasting impact. His work has influenced many artists and musicians who followed in his footsteps, ensuring that his legacy continues within the music community. While his most popular years were in the mid-20th century, his music remains celebrated by old and new fans alike.
Overall, Garnet Mimms is remembered not only for his distinctive voice but also for his significant role in shaping the sound of soul music during its formative years.
As Long As I Have
A2 One Girl 3:07
A3 There Goes My Baby 2:25
A4 It's Just A Matter Of Time 2:49
A5 Tell Me Baby 2:18
A6 Every Time 2:32
B1 Look Away 2:36
B2 I'll Make It Up To You 2:47
B3 A Little Bit Of Soap 2:21
B4 Please Send Me Someone To Love 2:26
B5 There Is Something On Your Mind 2:42
B6 One Woman Man 2:21
Label: United Artists Records – UAL 3396
Format: Vinyl, LP, Mono
Country: US
Released: 1964
Genre: R&B Soul, Pop
Style: Sixties Soul
Garnet Mimms' As Long As I Have You album showcases his powerful gospel-infused soul, featuring standout tracks like the titular song and "It's Just a Matter of Time," with critics praising its raw emotion and depth, despite some original recordings having inconsistent sound quality, making it a cherished piece for fans of 60s soul and early R&B, especially those who appreciate its influence on later artists.
Mimms delivers powerful, heartfelt vocals, drawing heavily from his gospel background, which resonated deeply with audiences and other musicians.
The title track, "As Long As I Have You," is a fan favorite, known for its passionate delivery, while "It's Just a Matter of Time" offers a bluesy, big-band feel.
The album (and especially the title track) became a significant record for UK soul enthusiasts and was a favorite of bands like Led Zeppelin, who performed long versions of the song live.
Some original pressings and digital releases had varied sound quality, with some tracks in mono and differing fidelity, but the musical quality shone through.
Reviewers consistently highlight Mimms' incredible voice and the pure, emotional quality of the music, calling it "penicillin" for good 60s soul. It's seen as a defining work, capturing the essence of soul music with a depth that comes from life experience.
In essence, As Long As I Have You is celebrated as a prime example of authentic 1960s soul, a testament to Mimms' vocal talent, and a cornerstone record for soul aficionados. Mimms was a pioneer of early soul, following his massive hit "Cry Baby," and this album captures that raw, emotive sound perfectly.
Garnet Mimms Has It All
Written-By – M.Steals & M.Steals
3:47
A2 Johnny Porter
Written-By – W. Cuomo, B.R. Appleberry
4:38
A3 Lovin' Power
Written-By – C. Jackson, M. Yancy
6:29
A4 Tail Snatcher
Written-By – J. Lane
5:38
B1 What It Is
Written-By – J. Lane, R. Muller
6:20
B2 We Had It All
Written-By – D. Fritts, T. Seals
3:10
B3 It's You
Written By – P. Smith
Written-By – G.M. Brown
3:45
B4 Street Music
Written-By – L. Alexander
3:19
Label: Arista – AB-4153
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk, Disco
Garnet Mimms' 1977 album "Has It All" marked a significant stylistic shift and served as his final studio release before retiring to enter the ministry. While the album is "frantic" in its disco approach, it still features "soulful 70s ballads" with full arrangements.
Produced by Jeff Lane and Randy Muller (of Brass Construction), the album is a radical departure from Mimms' 1960s soul roots, leaning heavily into disco-funk and smooth soul.
Reviews highlight Mimms' ability to adapt his powerful, gospel-grounded vocals to the polished, upbeat sounds of the late 1970s. Listeners have noted his voice remains "beautiful" and "reminiscent of Sam Cooke" in its smoother moments.
Modern listeners on platforms like Discogs give the album high marks, with average ratings typically between 4.2 and 4.5 out of 5 as of January 2026.
"What It Is": The album’s standout single, credited to Garnet Mimms & The Truckin' Company. It was a minor R&B hit, reaching #38 on the Billboard R&B chart and #44 on the UK Singles Chart in 1977. "What It Is (Part II)" is praised by collectors as a "wigged-out, guitar-wailing disco-funk" track that remains an underground favorite for DJs.
The original Arista LP (catalog AB 4153) remains the primary way to hear this album, as it has not seen extensive modern digital reissues compared to his 1960s work.
As of late 2025 and early 2026, original copies have a median sale price of approximately $6.37 to $9.65, with high-quality "Near Mint" copies reaching over $20.00.
In essence, Has It All is valued as a strong representation of Garnet Mimms' enduring talent, offering a deep dive into his powerful vocal delivery and soulful songwriting for fans of classic R&B and gospel.
Warm And Soulful
A2 Looking For You (J. Ragovoy)
A3 It Won't Hurt (Half As Much) (B. Berns)
A4 It Was Easier To Hurt Her (B. Russell, J. Ragovoy)
A5 Thinkin' (C. Taylor, J. Ragovoy)
A6 Prove It To Me (E. Marshall, J. Ragovoy)
A7 More Than A Miracle (D. Pomus, J. Ragovoy)
B1 As Long As I Have You (B. Elgin, J. Ragovoy)
B2 One Girl (B. Russell, N. Meade)
B3 There Goes My Baby (Nelson, Treadwell, Patterson)
B4 It's Just A Matter Of Time (Hendricks, Benton, Otis)
B5 A Little Bit Of Soap (B. Russell)
B6 Look Away (B. Russell, N. Meade)
B7 I'll Make It Up To You (B. Raleigh, J. Ragovoy)
Label: United Artists Records – SULP 1145
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1966
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul, Deep Soul
Warm And Soulful, is a deep and Northern soul album that showcases Garnet Mimms' powerful, gospel-rooted vocals applied to sophisticated New York R&B production. The LP is highly regarded by soul music connoisseurs for its collection of quality tracks from the mid-sixties.
The album compiles recordings made for the United Artists/Veep labels, featuring a blending of sounds compared to artists like Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, and Solomon Burke. Mimms' delivery on the tracks is characterized by critics as passionate and "gutwrenching," making the album a significant, though often criminally ignored by the masses, contribution to the soul genre. The production, at the hands of the talented team of Bert Berns and Jerry Ragovoy, provides a polished backdrop that perfectly suits Mimms' rich voice.
It features singles like "Looking For You" and "It Was Easier to Hurt Her," showcasing Mimms' signature "pleading, gospel-derived intensity" in songs that bridge the gap between gut-wrenching soul and more sophisticated, Motown-style sounds