This 1973 Atlantic Records self-titled debut brought high expectations of Margie Joseph, a Mississippi native whose voice reminded folks of her Atlantic label-mate Aretha Franklin. Joseph met New Orleans DJ Larry McKinley (co-founder of Minit Records) while she studied drama in the Crescent City. It was Joseph’s voice that became her ticket to ride.
McKinley introduced Joseph to OKeh Records. Next, Joseph recorded on the STAX/Volt label. This self-titled album marked her first for Atlantic Records. Joseph released six albums.
The first-rate session band included the collection of R & B, soul, blues and jazz heavies such as Cornell Dupree, Hugh McCracken, Ray Charles’ reed man David “Fathead” Newman, Ralph McDonald and The Sweet Inspirations as the back-up singers. This soul album contains a deep groove throughout these twelve songs. Produced by Arif Mardin in Atlantic’s New York studio, a ‘last word’ credit goes to Jerry Wexler on the original album liner notes.
Joseph’s voice commands attention. She emits a certain mood just by her slight nuance of a vocal pitch. Joseph sings emotive covers of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”, Dolly Parton’s “Touch Your Woman”, Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind”, Bobby Patterson’s “How Do You Spell Love” (a stunning classic), and Kenny O’Dell’s “Let’s Go Somewhere”. Margie Joseph casts an irresistible love spell…