Song of the Week: The Velvelettes - Needle In A Haystack and Should I Tell Him

Needle In A Haystack

 

Should I Tell Him

Yesterday we gave you Welsh blue-eyed soul singer, Tawny Reed, performing Needle In A Haystack from '65. We return today with the original version of Needle In A Haystack. 

Needle In A Haystack was first recorded by a lightly known Michigan girl group called The Velvelettes on the Motown Records subsidiary, V.I.P. Records, in September of 1964. It was their second single. The Velvelettes had a rotating cast of members, but the heart of the band was Bertha Barbee McNeal, Mildred Gill, Betty Kelly and Carolyn Gill. Carolyn took the reigns as the lead singer. 

We're also including the Flip-Side, the more than solid Should I Tell Him which really allows Carolyn Gill to show off her singing chops. It's a fine double sided gem. 

The band went on to record another local hit the next year, He Was Really Saying Something, which was covered by the Terry Hall controlled band, Bananarama, in the mid-80s.

Until next time, we'll see you On The Flip-Side!

Song of the Week: Tawny Reed - Needle In A Haystack and I've Got A Feeling

 Needle In A Haystack

I've Got A Feeling

From October of 1965, we present a blue-eyed soul singer from Wales named Tawny Reed. Tawny was a big voice in a little package. She was full of potential as this double sided gem proves, but remarkably she only managed two singles in her career. This disc was her first. Released in her native UK on Pye Records, this rare American release saw her get a release on the girl-group friendly Red Bird Records. The A-Side, Needle In A Haystack is a cover of The Velvelettes single. The Flip-Side is a cover of Baby Washington's number. I've Got A Feeling (published on this disc as I Got A Feeling). We think Tawny does a fine job on both.

Check out the vid of Tawny performing I've Got A Feeling. We're pretty sure the creepy kid in the sweater standing uncomfortably on her shoulder can today be found on some sort of sex offender data base somewhere in this world. Uncomfortable. 

Until next time, we'll see you On The Flip-Side!