Candi Staton: Candi Staton [KENT]

Why you'll love it

Kent's reissue carries liner notes by Ian Shirley and photos from the FAME archive. Staton's Southern soul take on "In the Ghetto" earned a Grammy nomination.

This edition

• Liner notes by Ian Shirley
• Photos from the FAME archive
• Stereo mix

About the album

Candi Staton grew up singing gospel on the road with the Soul Stirrers and Mahalia Jackson, and when Clarence Carter introduced her to Rick Hall in 1968 she brought every bit of that church into the studio. By 1972 she was known as the First Lady of Southern Soul, and this was her third album for Hall's Fame label.

It was the first LP under Fame's new deal with United Artists, and Hall made sure it opened with a statement. "In the Ghetto" came out first as a single in May 1972, sold well, and earned her a personal note from Elvis Presley. "Lovin' You, Lovin' Me" and "Do It in the Name of Love" followed it out, and B-sides like "The Thanks I Get for Loving You" and "I'll Drop Everything and Come Running" are just as strong.

Kent has been working through her Fame years, and this one follows I'm Just a Prisoner and Stand by Your Man. A letter from Elvis remains, we think, the most reliable review a soul singer can get.

Also at Kops: more Candi Staton on vinyl · browse Classic Soul

Tracklist

Listen

On Kent (cat# HIQLP 130), a reissue of the 1972 album.