UPC: 730167316811
Format: CD
Release Date: Dec 09, 2021
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Personnel: Doris Duke (vocals); Jesse Willard Carr (guitar); Paul Hornsby, Swamp Dogg (keyboards).
Unknown Contributor Role: Johnny Sandlin.
For any fan of Southern soul or deep soul, this reissue of two of Doris Duke's most important albums, I'm a Loser from 1969 and A Legend in Her Own Time from 1971, is essential. In a lot of ways, I'm a Loser feels like the hidden blueprint for all the deep soul that followed. The vocals are cut free of the '60s pop aspirations of Motown and even their rougher Southern counterpart, Stax. They're earthy, gritty, and soulful and as close to the church as you can get without getting up Sunday morning. The music is simple, polished, and reserved, jumping into the spotlight only when necessary. Listen to the understated guitar solo on "Ghost of Myself" for proof. By 1969 standards, the lyrics are sobering in their candor and, considering that this is loosely a concept album about the darkest facets of love and secret relationships, quite relentless, too. Credit is due to legendary soul eccentric Swamp Dogg, who produced and wrote most of I'm a Loser and a good deal of the follow-up, A Legend in Her Own Time. Legend isn't as intense as its predecessor and really, how could it be? It's an excellent companion, though, and its lighter tone and punchy horn arrangements are a welcome reprieve from the weight of I'm a Loser. As with most of the output on Kent, the liner notes here are superb, including technical facts like chart position for singles, a great look at Duke and how she viewed her work from this time, and a record review from the late soul expert Dave Godin, who considered Loser to be "the best album I have ever heard." Three singles predating both albums from the tiny Jay Boy label are included as well. ~ Wade Kergan
Unknown Contributor Role: Johnny Sandlin.
For any fan of Southern soul or deep soul, this reissue of two of Doris Duke's most important albums, I'm a Loser from 1969 and A Legend in Her Own Time from 1971, is essential. In a lot of ways, I'm a Loser feels like the hidden blueprint for all the deep soul that followed. The vocals are cut free of the '60s pop aspirations of Motown and even their rougher Southern counterpart, Stax. They're earthy, gritty, and soulful and as close to the church as you can get without getting up Sunday morning. The music is simple, polished, and reserved, jumping into the spotlight only when necessary. Listen to the understated guitar solo on "Ghost of Myself" for proof. By 1969 standards, the lyrics are sobering in their candor and, considering that this is loosely a concept album about the darkest facets of love and secret relationships, quite relentless, too. Credit is due to legendary soul eccentric Swamp Dogg, who produced and wrote most of I'm a Loser and a good deal of the follow-up, A Legend in Her Own Time. Legend isn't as intense as its predecessor and really, how could it be? It's an excellent companion, though, and its lighter tone and punchy horn arrangements are a welcome reprieve from the weight of I'm a Loser. As with most of the output on Kent, the liner notes here are superb, including technical facts like chart position for singles, a great look at Duke and how she viewed her work from this time, and a record review from the late soul expert Dave Godin, who considered Loser to be "the best album I have ever heard." Three singles predating both albums from the tiny Jay Boy label are included as well. ~ Wade Kergan