One thing that this project has taught me is that I much prefer the Ike and Tina music of the ’60s over their work in the ’70s. For the most part, their ’70s rocker stuff grates on my ears. Tina’s voice starts reminding me more and more of Ann Wilson on “Barracuda” (one [...]
Poor Kent Records, they did not get much good material out of Ike and Tina when they signed them in the early ’60s. At this time Ike, the canny businessman that he was, was maximizing profits by recording all over the place, pumping out songs for several labels. They released two LPs on [...]
This is the runner-up in my Ike and Tina Songs That Remind Me of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Sweepstakes.
“I Idolize You” was released in 1960–the third single that they put out. “Letter from Tina” was the B-side. It’s a real smooth rhythm and blues number. If they were playing this in the clubs [...]
Sometimes listed as “Chances Are.”
It’s my fondest dream that someone would find an Ike and Tina recording of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ “I Put a Spell on You.” But in the meantime, “Puppy Love” is the next best thing.
Wait, “Puppy Love”?! I know the title sounds like some kind of Brenda Lee ditty, but [...]
“This Man’s Crazy” is a frenetic number from Ike and Tina’s 1963 album It’s Gonna Work Out Fine. As I mentioned in a previous post, Ike said that he wrote songs with Little Richard’s voice in mind. This song could serve as exhibit A.
It’s a breakneck rock song, with a boogie-type piano part [...]
Ikettes: Tina!
Tina: Yes, ‘ettes?
Ikettes: Why do you love that guy?
“Tina’s Dilemma” was released as a single in 1963. It’s a crazy little number where the Ikettes and Tina squabble over her man and his cheating ways.
This is probably my favorite Ikettes part, as they persistently poke at Tina about her no-good man, asking [...]
“It’s funny how things have changed since I fell in love with you. . .”
“Something Came Over Me” appeared on the 1964 album The Soul of Ike & Tina Turner and is a sequel to their 1961 single, “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine.”
Like its predecessor, “Something Came Over Me” is a conversation song, with the [...]
All right, let’s go way back to Ike and Tina’s first single and first hit, “A Fool in Love.” They released this on Sue Records in 1960 and it went to #2 on the R&B charts, and #27 on the pop charts.
When I listen to this song, an image comes into my mind of [...]
Now how about a downbeat song for a rainy day? “It Sho Ain’t Me” is the third track on the album So Fine, coming right after the irrepressible “Betcha Can’t Kiss Me (Just One Time)” and “Ain’t Nobody’s Business.”
The album notes credit this song to M. Rice. I’m going to assume that’s Mack [...]
It’s about time I got to some stuff from Outta Season, an album of mostly blues covers they released in 1969. I’m currently reading Takin’ Back My Name: the Confessions of Ike Turner, a fascinating and entertaining autobiography. He mentions that he recorded both Outta Season and The Hunter in four hours. [...]