Wayne Warren

Wayne Warren seems to have worked in Memphis in the 70s and 80s but only had these two 45s issued. His single for Geroge Jackson’s Happy Hooker label is pretty well known but the Four Ace one is a genuine obscurity.

 ListenOh I Really Love You is a fine mid paced Memphis dancer. Great horn riffs and the way the song slows then builds then slows again are very nicely judged. The flip ListenI Need You Girl is a deep soul item full of fine touches. The contrast between the storm of the chorus and the quiet of the verses works very well and Warren’s light baritone vocals come across to good effect. The final climax when the background singers join in is a fitting end – love the way Warren barks out the phrases. One for the “little label” fans to enjoy.

ListenSam We’ll Never Forget You is a song concocted out of snippets of some of Sam Cooke’s more memorable hooklines plus some surrounding lyrics to pad out the central message of the title. I could do without the intrusive synth line but the chord changes are good as is the occasional blasts from the horn section. Warren himself has a light attractive tone to his vocals.

I need you girl - FOUR ACE 1000 Sam we'll never for get you - HAPPY HOOKER 680

 

Discography

ListenOh I really love you / ListenI need you girl ~ FOUR ACE 1000 (late 70s?)
ListenSam we'll never forget you / Hit on somebody's baby ~ HAPPY HOOKER 680 (1985)

 

 

Back to artist index | Top of Page