Picture Me Gone

Back in the 60's, I first saw Madeline Bell performed at The Beat Club on our black & white TV. The Beat Club was then a very hip Germany TV show where they featured mostly US and UK pop/rock/soul artistes playing /singing their hits with many sweet young things in X short mini skirts dancing behind them. I did not know who she was then, but her "Picture Me Gone" was fused onto my mind forever. I think that could be the very first song that I have ever heard on how a woman turns militant and issue threats to her boyfriend !

It was until UK reissue specialist label RPM releases this CD and with the high recommendation of some of the British music mags that I bought this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNwp4WKxUCc&NR=1

There at the very first track is her classic "Picture Me Gone" that brings so many spiritual orgasms to me. The clever lyrics is just superb. And dig those clashing guitars sudden stops and glorious harmonious back singing. (yes, the legendary Dusty Springfield was there singing) The song eventually becomes a sort of Northern Soul clubbing anthem. There are a few other tracks in this CD which I think are just out of this world. I especially fall for her "Last One To Be Loved" and "Didn't Have To Do It".

I think some of you may recognize her because she eventually became the lead singer of the Blue Minks who had many famous pop hits (Melting Pot , Banner Man, Good Morning Freedom and 17+ other top 20 hits) that spread over to Malaysia.


You can buy the CD from http://www.dustygroove.com/

                           Bell's A Poppin'  - Madeline Bell

 RPM (UK), 1967

Wonderful early work from Madeline Bell -- a great singer with a sound that's equal parts American soul and British 60s female pop! The recordings on the set are from Madeline's earliest years in the UK -- long before she achieved greater fame on crossover rock recordings, at a time when she was just stepping off an early career in gospel, where she'd crafted some great recordings on Vee Jay with Alex Bradford. The sound of the album is wonderful -- arranged to production by Arthur Greenslade, and produced by Johnny Franz with the same pop genius he brought to Philips work by Scott Walker and Dusty Springfield. The CD features the full tracks from the Poppin album, plus a number of contemporary singles -- for a total of 20 tracks that include "Picture Me Gone", "Beat The Clock", "Can't Get Used To Losing You", "Didn't Want To Have To Do It", "Soul Time", "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me", and "You Won't See Me".