The Lamp Sisters

 

Lamp Sisters

The Lamp Sisters were indeed related to Buddy Lamp – and were sisters as well - and they were his backing singers on tour, and followed him when Buddy joined Don Robey’s Duke label. He had a hand in writing all of their material as well. But all four of their singles are very strong southern soul.

Their first 45 was recorded in Memphis and ListenI Thought It Was All Over is an excellent deep ballad with a fiery lead. And is that Buddy’s voice you can hear at the beginning – or Willie Mitchell’s? Their second release from the Memphis sessions is even better. ListenNo Cure For The Blues has a wonderfully righteous opening which is followed by a rousing uptempo southern arrangement – and the vocals are just first class. The flip “You Caught me Napping” is more of the same.

Today will be yesterday tomorrow - DUKE 448ListenToday Will Be Yesterday Tomorrow is the pick of their ballads. The chord changes are just how I like them, as is the piano and arpeggio guitar which make a lovely combination. The horns complete a super backdrop for some wonderful wailing from the Lamps. “Ride On” is another fine piece of funky gospel soul, and the funk feel is maintained on the flip “I Thought It Was All Over”.

One day the superb southern soul that Duke/Peacock recorded will be properly reissued (I hope) and then the Lamp Sisters will get the recognition they thoroughly deserve.

UPDATE ~ I am delighted to say that Bob Lampkin has been in touch. He writes to say that "Thank you for honoring my grandfather. He just passed a few years ago. It is a real joy to hear his voice again. One correction though, The Lamp Sisters are indeed my great aunts. Winnie English is one of my favorite aunts and still lives in Detroit." I have written to Bob asking for any more info he might have on his family. If he replies I wil update this page again. In the meantime the fact of their relationship to Buddy Lamp has been taken into the text in this feature.

 

Discography

ListenI thought it was all over / A woman with the blues ~ DUKE 427 (1968)
ListenNo cure for the blues / You caught me napping ~ DUKE 439 (1968)
ListenToday will be yesterday tomorrow / Sweet daddy soul ~ DUKE 448 (1969)
Ride on / The way I love this man ~ DUKE 462 (1970)

 

 

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