True love was never meant for me - BOOKER 501

J J Wallace

Rev Robert Booker's eponymous New Orleans label issued mostly gospel sides but there were a few secular 45s from the likes of Katherine Holt and this obscurity from J J Wallace. ListenTrue Love Was Never Meant For Me is one of those dirge style ballads that New Orleans did so well. After a guitar opening, the song settles into a bluesy deep number with pumping piano and a typically fat horn section. Wallace sounds suitably depressed about his fate. The flip is a fine Crescent City uptempo romp.

The name of Wallace Johnson as writer opens up the possibility that JJ Wallace is the same guy. But listening to the vocals of both artists I'm pretty sure that they are not the same. Can anybody confirm?

UPDATE ~ Members of the Southern Soul Yahoo group including my friend Kevin Kiley and Cies have written to say they think that JJ Wallace is indeed Wallace Johnson. I'm happy to take their view. You can find my page on Mr Johnson here.

Discography

ListenTrue love was never meant for me / Looking for Lee ~ BOOKER 501 (mid 60s)

 

 

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