I don’t often dream, or possibly to be more precise, I suppose, once awake I do not often recall dreams. But every now and then I am left with a dream vividly imprinted in my mind for some minutes, or even hours. So it was recently.
Candi Staton performed a new song for me. In my dreams! Well, yes.
I guess Candi would have been in my thoughts as I mulled over forthcoming posts here. Using this as a seed my sub-conscious, beautifully, made up the rest. The woman in the dream was younger than Candi is now, she was walking along a seafront and then onto a pier wearing a long coat (which, incidentally, was occasionally partially opened by the wind to reveal a rather nice expanse of leg - analyse that dream merchants!). I was not aware of a clear view of her face but the voice singing to me was unmistakably Candi’s. The song was called “Bad Girl” and for an all too brief waking moment I could recall the lyrics, but not for long enough to write them down. The melody, however, stuck with me longer but as I can’t write music I had no possibility to preserve that either. Then real life kicked in, I heard another song on the radio, and the melody also was gone, erased. So it is with dreams.
Casting around on the interweb some time ago I found what appeared to be some orphaned pages on the Fame Records site. One contained what I assume was a complete list of Candi’s recorded material at the hallowed studio. Included were these track names with no record catalog number against them:
ARE YOU JUST BUILDING ME UP
DO RIGHT WOMAN
I GAVE A LITTLE AND LOST A LOT
I'LL BE HERE
JOLENE
LOVIN' THE EASY WAY
ONE MORE HURT
SLIPPING AWAY
WE HAD IT ALL
CAN'T STAND THE PAIN
THAT OLD TIME FEELING
WHERE WERE YOU
SPREAD YOUR LOVE ON ME
Were they ever recorded? A Candi Staton lost album? Are these still in the can somewhere, or like my dream are they now erased and lost forever?
“Feel It” is two years old today. The imaginary birthday cake has two candles, so as I blow them out I will be greedy and make two wishes. The first is for these lost songs to surface (come on Honest Jon’s, or Ace Records maybe, see what you can find in the vaults). The second is for Candi to step out of my dream and make that performance for real.
And now in keeping with tradition here at “Feel It” on the 13th March it’s time to hand best wishes out – Happy Birthday Candi.
(From the 1974 Warner Bros. Album “Candi”. Not available on CD as far as I know but the original album is not that hard to find).
(You can sing to me anytime you like Candi!).
10 comments:
Well amen to that, happy 65th (!) to Candi and 2nd to Feel It.
I have vague recollections of falling down holes, you dream whole Candi Staton songs. DAMN but I needs to get me some of what you're having...
Happy Blogiversary, Darcy . . . you've got a nice neighborhood here, one that I'm pleased to visit. (Candi Staton, eh? Lucky guy, you are. I once had Melanie serenade me in a dream, but I was in my teens and thought that was pretty good . . . )
Happy 2nd Birthday
'Heart On A String' has to be my favourite piece of Candi
that's a nice little taste of love. Haven't heard that one before. TA
To the ususal suspects thanks for the happy returns.
Hello Roman Empress (or is that Suzy?). I had just found your blog and read your Ann Peebles and Candi entries when what should I find in my inbox? - your comment! When I have more time I will add you to the blogroll.
I hadn't heard this track for more years than I care to admit. It's from Candi's first album for Warner Brothers after leaving Fame, hence it's not on the Honest Jon CD. A long time ago I had sort of dismissed the album as weak by Candi's standards but after digging it out recently I was surprised by this track and a few others too. A reappraisal is in order.
Steady now, don't be too rash, I may turn out to be a nutjob. Wow, I'm listening to this track for about the 25th time in a row now. It's really great isn't it?
The Empress: Yes I keep playing it as well. (Nutjob! ha ha, like that. Well I have my suspicions but I'm feeling bold so you're linked anyway :-) )
75th spin, now. Thinking of marking the occasion. Do you think I have borderline personality disorder?
R E : I'll pass on that question! Spooky - as you posted this comment I had just put the album on, and as I type this "Little taste" has just started playing.
Does anyone have an MP3 of Candi's song Victim that they could send to me?
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