Charles Pennywell
Charles “Diamond” Pennywell was born in Shreveport, LA and formed a little vocal group called the Fairlanes for whom he sang lead. Their first disc was for Eddie Shuler’s Tic Toc label and 
Your Lonesome Now is a delicious blend of soul, blues and doo-wop. Pennywell come across really well here, milking the “I told you so” lyric for all it’s worth. Note the mis-spelling of his name on the disc.
Charles’ Smash 45 is more pop than soul sadly but the legendary Inspirations track is one of Northern soul’s Holy Grails. He recut it originally for original producer Joey Jefferson and this cut too has become a rare collectible. Neither version however does anything for me. Much more to my taste though is the funky “The Thought Of You” with it’s southern “feel” and screaming vocal. These days Charles is till active in the music business, singing “oldies” as you can read on his website here. Long may he continue.
 |
 |
Discography
As CHARLES PERRYWELL & THE FAIRLANES
Your lonesome now / Come along with me ~ TIC TOC 104 (1961)
As CHARLES PENNYWELL
Web of love / It’s so funny I could cry ~ SMASH 1794 (1963)
As THE INSPIRATIONS
No one can take your place / Inst ~ BREAKTHROUGH 1001 (1967)
As CHARLES PENNYWELL
The thought of you / I don't want to make you love me ~ PLAYBOY 50044 (1974)
As CHARLES DIAMOND & THE INSPIRATIONS
No one can take your place / Inst ~ BREAKTHROUGH 81582 (1977)
Note ~ Both sides of the Tic Toc 45 are avaialble on Ace UK CDs. "Your lonesome now" is on "Eddie's House Of Hits" and the flip on "Louisiana Rockers".
Thanks to Jim the Strandwolfe for the suggestion, and to David Cole and Bob McGrath for recording data.