Barbara Lewis
Barbara Lewis is an acclaimed American singer and songwriter, born on February 9, 1943, in Salem, Michigan. She is well-known for her smooth style and significant influence on rhythm and blues music. Lewis began writing songs at a young age and became the first artist from Michigan to record for Atlantic Records, which marked an important milestone in her career.
Her most famous hit, "Hello Stranger," released in 1963, showcases her emotive vocal style and reached number three on the charts. This self-penned track highlights her talent as both a performer and songwriter, and it remains a classic in the pop-soul genre. Throughout the 1960s, Lewis recorded several other successful R&B hits, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the music industry.
It’s Magic
Written-By – Jule Styne & Sammy Cahn 2:35
A2 The Shadow Of Your Smile
Written-By – Johnny Mandel, Paul Francis Webster 2:57
A3 Let It Be Me
Written-By – Gilbert Bécaud, Mann Curtis, Pierre Delanoë 3:21
A4 Quiet Nights
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gene Lees 2:41
A5 Since I Fell For You
Written-By – Buddy Johnson 3:18
A6 Don't Forget About Me
Written-By – Carole King & Jerry Goffin 2:30
B1 I Only Miss Him When I Think Of Him
Written-By – Sammy Cahn & Jimmy Van Heusen 2:50
B2 Yesterday
Written-By – John Lennon & Paul McCartney 2:31
B3 He's So Bad
Written-By – Bert Berns, Wes Farrell 2:15
B4 A Tast Of Honey
Written-By – Bobby Scott, Ric Marlow 2:14
B5 Sorrow
Written-By – Robert Feldman, Jerry Goldstein, Richard Gottehrer 2:55
B6 Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
Written-By – Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse 2:54
Label: Atlantic – 8118
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1966
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul, Pop
Barbara Lewis's 1966 album It's Magic is a well-regarded collection that successfully moves the soul singer toward a jazz and nightclub blues style, featuring strong interpretations of pop standards and show tunes. It is praised for showcasing her impressive versatility and beautiful, passionate vocals across a variety of genres.
Reviewers note Lewis is equally at home with R&B hits, bossa nova, and classic pop standards, scoring with every genre she attempts. The album was a conscious effort to broaden her appeal beyond her established soul/pop sound.
Lewis's vocals are frequently described as "haunting" and "beautifully sung". One review in Americana Highways suggests her version of "Let It Be Me" is "as good as or better than any of the many other versions of this song".
The album features a variety of nice arrangements, including bossa nova influences on tracks like "Quiet Nights (Corcovado)", contributing to a cohesive and classy feel.
Specific tracks highlighted for their quality include the title track "It's Magic," the "appealing exotica" of "The Shadow of Your Smile," and a "real heartbreaker" cover of "Sorrow". Her take on the Beatles' "Yesterday" is also mentioned as an "actually good" cover. The song "Don't Forget About Me" was later made famous by Dusty Springfield.
The album is considered a "first class soul longplayer" and a "great release from this largely forgotten soulful diva who remains one of the finest from the '60s".
Beyond original vinyl pressings, many tracks from this album have been re-released on Barbara Lewis compilations or are available for streaming on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Workin’ On A Groovy Thing
Written-By – Richard Wylie, Tony Hester 2:45
A2 Workin' On A Groovy Thing
Written-By – Neil Sedaka, Roger Atkins 3:03
A3 Make Me Your Baby
Written-By – Helen Miller, Roger Atkins 2:30
A4 Girls Need Loving Care
Written-By – Leo Porter, Ronald Miller 2:41
A5 I Remember The Feeling
Written-By – Rose Marie McCoy 2:31
A6 Baby, What Do You Want Me To Do
Written-By – Grant Higgins 2:37
B1 Make Me Belong To You
Written-By – Billy Vera, Chip Taylor 2:29
B2 Love Makes The World Go 'Round
Written-By – Deon Jackson 2:49
B3 I'll Make Him Love Me
Written-By – Helen Miller, Howard Greenfield 2:17
B4 Only All The Time
Written-By – J. J. Jackson, Ray Fox 2:06
B5 Sho-Nuff
Written-By – Richard Wylie, Tony Hester 2:34
B6 Thankful
Written-By – Barbara Lewis 2:46
Label: Atlantic – SD 8173
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1968
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
Barbara Lewis's Workin' on a Groovy Thing (1968) is a beloved soul album, praised for its smooth, funky Detroit sound, showcasing her sophisticated vocals with strong horn arrangements, a departure from earlier Philly soul, delivering pure soul gold with hits like "Make Me Your Baby" for fans of classic R&B and Uptown Soul.
A shift towards a more solid, funky Detroit soul sound, featuring lush arrangements and powerful horns from the legendary Detroit Horns.
Don Davis production blended Detroit grit with Philly soul smoothness.
Lewis's signature smooth, suave, and sophisticated voice shines, making it a "must-have" for soul fans.
While specific professional reviews are scarce in snippets, fan sentiment on sites like Discogs shows high ratings (e.g., 4.75/5 stars) for its quality, calling it "pure soul gold".
Includes popular tracks like "Make Me Your Baby" and the title track, showcasing her range. It stands as a key album in her discography, following her earlier hits.
In essence, Workin' on a Groovy Thing is celebrated as a fantastic, soulful record, highlighting Barbara Lewis's talent with a fresh, funky, and undeniably groovy Detroit-infused sound.
Original vinyl pressings are considered "seldom available" and often command median prices around $34.94, with high-quality copies reaching over $50.
The album has been reissued on CD, notably as part of a 2012 limited edition remaster from Japan and as a double-disc set with her debut, Hello Stranger.