R B Hudmon

R B Hudmon

Robert B Hudmon Jr was born on 6 August 1954 at West Point, Georgia and started his singing carer at a very early age. By the time he was 15 he was with Bill Lowery in Atlanta, with staffer Joe South doing most of the writing and producing. And although the music on the 60s recordings is good – particularly Buddy Buie’s arrangements on “Look At Granny Run Run” – I’m not a fan of child soul singing and Hudmon’s unbroken voice just doesn’t do it for me. Even as late as the Capitol single he wasn’t really settled.

But by the time of the original Tomahawk cut of his famous ListenHow Can I Be A Witness everything was in place. Hudmon had matured into an expressive singer, with a good range in his high baritone voice, with a hint or two of Al Green in the phrasing. The Tomahawk 45 is a rough and ready production, maybe not even much more than a demo, but it was enough to get him to Memphis where the experience of people like Jim Stewart and Bobby Manuel brought out the very best in him.

His series of cuts at the Daily Planet Studio came out on a variety of labels but they were amongst the best that southern soul had to offer at the time. There was the occasional nod to the disco crowd but not enough to detract from the real music. “Witness” was a big hit – and deservedly so – but other tracks were good too. David Porter’s “Ain’t No Need Of Crying” for example, and the Malaco like broken rhythm of ListenHoldin' On are fine soul. Like these “Cause You’re Mine Now” and "Bringing You Your Love" were midpaced tunes at which Hudmon seemed most at home; the uptempo “If You Don’t Cheat On Me” – the initial plug side of the hit – is enjoyable but the real cream is the beautiful ListenI’m Everything You Need. This rivals almost every other mid 70s ballad for the beauty of the melody and the delicacy of the arrangement, and is perfectly suited to Hudmon’s introspective vocal style. Most of the best cuts were pulled together onto the “Closer To You” set – an LP to listen to time and again.

Like so many singers Hudmon resurfaced in the 80s after the disco boom was over, but the indie releases on R & B and Gold Key are not really up to his previous standard, derivative in style and covers rather than original songs. His reggaefied cut to “Bring It On Home To Me” is interesting but no more. The Nite Life track is a favourite on the modern soul scene in the UK and is now very rare indeed – sadly the quality doesn’t match the records reputation or value. A disappointing way to end a distinguished recording career.

Hudmon passed away on 25 August 1995.

Look at Granny run run - COURTNEY 20341 How can I bew a witness - TOMAHAWK 4034-31

Discography

I'm a roller / Send your boy a letter ~ TOMAHAWK 110 (1966)
Naughty Claudie / Yo-yo ~ A&M 922 (1968)
Hole in your soul / Standing invitation ~ 123 1704 (1968)
Look at Granny run run / Same ~ COURTNEY 20341 (1969)
Standing invitation / Look at Granny run run ~ 123 1728 (1969)
Look what we have joined together / Speak for your self John ~ CAPITOL 3052 (1971)
How can I be a witness / All along the watchtower ~ TOMAHAWK 4034-31 (1975)
If you don't cheat on me (I won't cheat on you) / ListenHow can I be a witness ~ TRUTH 3230 (1975) / ATLANTIC 3318 (1976)
Whatever makes you happy / ListenHoldin' on ~ ATLANTIC 3366 (1977)
This could be the night / Ain't no need of crying (when it's raining) ~ ATLANTIC 3413 (1977)
Cause you're mine now / Can't you see I love you ~ COTILLION 44232 (1978)
ListenI’m everything you need / Bringing you your love ~ COTILLION 44236 (1978)
Bring it on home to me / Good time Charlie's got the blues ~ R&B 1225 (1986)
I could paint a picture / Inst ~ R&B 1226 (1986)
Your man is home tonite / Same ~ GOLD KEY 510 (1989)
Searching for your love / ~ NITE LIFE 1011 (1990)

Closer to you ~ COTILLION LP 5204 (1978)

 

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