The New Orleans singer's most notable hit was the witty pro-woman (and gently man-dissing) title cut to this underrated collection of spunky Southern soul.
Was Liz Phair listening to this album in college? Nearly every song is addressed to a former boyfriend, or perhaps to men in general. There are proudly independent songs, like the classic "Mr. Big Stuff" (Knight's version of Phair's "Six Foot One"). There are nostalgic songs, like "A Little Bit of Something" ("Divorce Song"). There are conciliatory songs: "Pick Up The Pieces" ("Strange Loop"). There are frankly sexual songs that spoof male sexual fantasies: "Do Me" ("Flower"). And there are songs that get more bleak every time you hear them: "One Way Ticket to Nowhere (It's the End of the Ride)" ("Fuck and Run") This album has changed the way I look at '60s-'70s female soul singers (other than Aretha Franklin, that is). I downloaded it looking for more poppy funkiness along the lines of "Mr. Big Stuff." I got that, and I also got an eye-opening concept album examining male-female relationships from an African American woman's perspective.
It is a shame that her career didn't soar like it should have based on how nice this album is. Forget the main song (and it is a classic one) the other songs have feeling and energy in them, something that even the best of today's R&B singers seem to have forgotten. Jean Knight sung from the heart, as Aretha, Patti LaBelle, and other classic soul singers have done.
The Ponderosa Stomp, which is organized essentially by record collectors and takes place in New Orleans mid-week between the two Jazzfest weekends, is an eMusic.com kind of event. It's a two-night, marathon (6 PM to 4 AM) celebration of the unsung heroes and one-hit wonders of American music, including early rock 'n'roll, rockabilly, swamp pop, blues, soul, funk and garage bands. Needless to say, many of them record for independent labels. So many, in fact,… more »
