I'm just sitting here thinking - VEE-EIGHT 100001

Joyce Jones

The drummer and session leader Joseph Wilson, who went on to own a studio in Muscle Shoals in the 70s, told me that John Mihelic only pressed up 300 of the 45s on his various labels to start with. That would of course explain the rarity of some of the titles but not this one. Wilson, whose group the Lost Souls provided the rhythm section for most of the Tupelo, MS recordings, has confirmed that this was Mihelic’s best selling disc hence the interest from Atlantic who picked it up.

The top side is a fine answer to Tyrone Davis’ masterpiece “Can I Change My Mind” with some nice switches to the horn charts but the unknown flip is more suited to my taste.ListenI’m Just Sitting Here Thinking is a classic southern soul ballad in the grand manner – lovely guitar intro, climbing horns – on which Joyce sings out her distress. At under two minutes though it is far too short.

She co-wrote both sides with Reginald Hines whose presence hints at a Greenville MS connection. Was that where Joyce came from? Does anybody know why she didn’t record further titles?

UPDATE ~ Joseph Wilson has very kindly been in touch and among other great info has answered my question about a Greenville, MS connection. "I can tell you that John Mihelec had three partners in his studio venture. Not in productions ventures, studio only. One was Dominic Fratesi and Dominic was from Greenwood, MS, a very short distance from Greenville. Dominic owned and operated a juke box business in the delta. He commonly came across black talent in his field work so what I wasn't dragging in from recording, Dominic was sending up to Tupelo out of the Delta. Reginald and Joyce Hines came through that portal."

NEW UPDATE ~ Joseph has confirmed a 1969 date for the 45 - as has Alan Wheway. I'm grateful to both of them.

Discography

Help me make up my mind /ListenI’m just sitting here thinking ~ VEE-EIGHT 100001 / ATCO 6681 (1969)

 

Note ~ “Help Me Make Up My Mind” can be found on the Rhino Box Set “What It Is” together with a highly inaccurate note in the booklet.

 

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