Review

THE BERT BERNS STORY: VARIOUS ARTISTS

Before I go any further, Mr Berns, also known as, Bert Russell and Russell Byrd, was a gifted, charismatic and successful record producer/composer during the sixties. Some say on a par with Holland-Dozier-Holland.

He’s also classed as something of a legend as well, because he died so young at 38 years in 1967 just as his career was at its height. This tragedy therefore cut what could have been a hugely successful career short, but, having said that, Bert’s heritage is glorious in content. Dusty Springfield covered Garnett Mimms’ original of 'It Was Easier To Hurt Her', and hers was the first I heard. After catching up with Garnett’s version a little later on, it’s easy to see how Dusty almost cloned him with the exception of a few lyric changes. Nonetheless, both are dynamite versions with a seamless soulful, often despairing, feel throughout. A young Tammy Montgomery with 'If I Would Marry You' shows a stunning start to her future successful career as Tammi Terrell at Motown both as a soloist and duettist.

Solomon Burke’s gritty hard-soul, bouncing 'Everybody Needs Somebody To Love' is probably best known by those bad boys The Blues Brothers (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd) . I can’t be the only one who jumps up to prance around like a thing possessed after hearing the instantly recognisable introduction. Can I? Yes, I put my knitting down first!! There’s also more commercial tracks included here like the opener of Tami Lynn’s 'I’m Gonna Run Away From You', Erma Franklin’s 'Piece Of My Heart', and 'Hang On Sloopy' from The McCoys. There’s drama too from The Drifters with 'I Don’t Want To Go On Without You'; power from Ben E King and 'Cry No More', and tweeness from Patti LaBelle & the Blue Belles on 'You Forgot How To Love'.

If I had to choose a best track, there’d be two (kinda makes sense!). First out is Wilson Pickett’s R&B classic 'Come Home Baby' with future Sweet Inspiration member and soloist – Cissy Houston singing responses, while the second is actually the final cut 'Heart Be Still' by Lorraine Ellison, although her classic slice of heart wrenching soul has to be 1966’s 'Stay With Me Baby'. Nevertheless, the included track here is gusty, spiritual and absolutely full-blooded in sound. This is, I fear, only an overview of Bert Berns’ great talent at getting the very best from his artists and it’s a compelling and highly charged compilation. Definitely, highly recommended.
Words SHARON DAVIS