RIP Lula Reed

It's a little late (okay, just over a year later)... Her career is important to me, so I feel compelled to post about it. I'm actually in shock that the news of her death wasn't more widespread.

Anyway, it's been a bit over a year since R&B singer Lula Reed passed away (June 21, 2008).

I remember when I first discovered her-- by mistake-- while searching online for the various versions of the New Orleans classic, Sick and Tired. Her version wasn't the same song, but just as good, nonetheless. I immediately sought out the 45 rpm single... I didn't get the King issue, but a Gusto reissue from the early '80s (GUSTO 2153), which had Bump On A Log on the B-side.

What a voice. A more refined version of Little Esther Phillips, and similar to Dinah Washington but not as refined. Her version of "Drown In My Own Tears" (1951; later covered by Ray Charles in '56) always gives me chills. I have a cut of that track that starts with the voice of a radio deejay describing her voice like that of "Gabriel's trumpet". Indeed!

Some of my favourite Lula Reed material are the duets done with Freddie King (accompanied by her rumoured husband, Sonny Thompson) on the Boy-Girl-Boy album.



In fact...

We covered "You Can't Hide" on Mike Sanchez's You Better Dig It! album.


CLICK HERE to hear "You Can't Hide" by Mike Sanchez and Miss Tayva

Our first choice was "It's Easy Child", but found that "You Can't Hide" fit more with the overall theme of the album... plus the stalker lyrics are awesome :-)

Rest in peace, Lula. Your music has been a great inspiration to me.


Freddie King and Lula Reed : You Can't Hide -





Lula Reed : Drown In My Own Tears