Lula Reed I'll Drown In My Tears CD - Import

Although Lula Reed did record after 1955 for Chess and Tangerine (and for the King subsidiary Federal), this 24-track anthology wholly sticks to her 1952-1955 King recordings. In addition to numerous singles, it has four 1952-1953 sides she did as vocalist with Sonny Thompson & His Orchestra -- one of those being her most famous recording, "I'll Drown in My Tears" -- as well as a previously unissued outtake and a previously unavailable alternate of "Bump on a Log." Like much of the R&B from the era, it's transitional music, owing something to jazz in the arrangements but more to blues in the songwriting, with some hints of the coming rock & roll era in some doo wop-flavored vocals. It's not part of the upper crust of early-'50s R&B -- it's a little journeywoman, in part because so many of the songs are similar midtempo urbane jazzy blues ballads, in part because Reed's high and slightly pinched voice really isn't that excellent. By far the most notable of these tracks is "I'll Drown in My Tears," later covered by Ray Charles for a hit as "Drown in My Own Tears"; Reed's version isn't as agonizingly slow, but nor is it nearly as memorable, though it did make number five in the R&B charts. The pace varies a little into uptempo jump at times, with a little gospel on "A Quiet Time With Jesus," a bit of a down-home blues flavor in the acoustic guitar on "Troubles on Your Mind," and a little early rock & roll in 1955's "I'm Giving All My Love" and "Rock Love" (the latter of which was covered for a number 13 pop hit by the Fontane Sisters). ~ Richie Unterberger

Discovered by noted bandleader (and later her husband, featured on this CD with his orchestra on four songs) Sonny Thompson, Lula Reed recorded extensively for King and Federal Records for over 10 years - interrupted by a brief sojourn with Checker in th

Personnel: Lula Reed (vocals).

Liner Note Author: Billy Vera.