Ravin MadsRavin Mads

Why are there so many non African American Louisiana musicians that made such excellent soul / R & B orientated music? Artists like Joe Barry, Margo White, Gee Gee Shinn, Soul Shouting Tommy and so many more were able to cross the color line with ease making some superb tracks that I like to feature in these pages whenever I can.

The Ravin Mads were another who fit this bill precisely. Their only 45 coupled a dancer that has had some Northern soul attention with a splendid ballad ListenHow Long Has It Been which has recieved no attention at all. The lead figures in the group were Ronnie Boudreaux and Hector Nieves who wrote the fine song, and my guess it was Nieves, who also recorded as one of the vocalists that Eddie Bo assembled for Roger & The Gypsys ("Pass the Hatchet"), that sang the highly spirited lead vocal. He's backed up by a big horn rich band in a typically Crescent City arrangement - you gotta love the combination of sweet and deep soul emphasised by the fine harmony vocals.

There have been some rumours that the Mads recorded an LP in Nashville but I don't believe it was ever issued.

 



Discography

ListenHow long has it been / Where is love ~ RAVIN 1000 (mid 60s?)

 

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