Customer Reviews

I Want To Be With You

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After decades of sitting ignored in Polygram's vaults, Hip-O has gathered up the Mercury and Blue Rock recordings of Dee Dee Warwick in this 26-cut compilation CD. Although most of her chart successes came while at Mercury and are included here, there was a short period at Atco that produced a couple charted hits that were not licensed for this project. Those Atco tracks can be found on a compilation done by Ichiban records from several years ago but has been out of print for some time.

In spite of the somewhat limited scope of this collection, most of the better-known and significant of Dee Dee's recordings are represented here including her highest charting and signature song, "I Want To Be With You". Although original masters were used in most instances, sound quality is somewhat uneven with noticable distortion on some tracks. The producers acknowledge that two tracks (22 and 23) were dubbed from vinyl and track 20 exhibits distortion inherent to the master tape. Nevertheless, the sound quality here is superior to anything else previously available, that being some questionably legitimate import CD's of Dee Dee's recordings. Tracks 1,2,4-6,9-12,14,16,18-21,24 and 25 are in stereo with the remainder in mono. Liner notes are a 12-page booklet with a four-page musical history of Dee Dee, track listing details and a few photos.

While not a comprehensive cross-label compilation of her musical output, this collection is a high-quality, well-produced piece that fills a long-time void in r'n'b music on CD.

I must first say that Dee Dee Warwick like her sister Dionne, aunt Cissy Houston and cousin Whitney...is one great singer!! This family is no joke, and Dee Dee Warwick vocals are a strong as any in her family, although very different, yet still brilliant. Frankly Dionne has always been my cup of tea, and her gensius, is second to done; Dee Dee shows a souful emotion few if any singers whole. This cd is a must have for anyone who loves "real soul music", not warmed over!! The cd is loaded with classic that some may not have know the singer but have heard the songs..."Foolish Fool", "I'm gonna make you love me", We're doing fine", all gems! Dionne has often stated that "Dee Dee is the real singer in this family" that a huge statement. Listen for yourself, if you love any of this family's music, as well as other great soul vocalist like, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Ruth Brown, you will love Dee Dee Warwick!!

I'm glad to own this piece of music history in my collection. I appreciate big Sis Dionne's instrument, but Dee Dee was more soulful in her delivery. Just listen to Dee Dee sing Alfie, (which Dee Dee recorded first before Dionne), if you don't believe me. The song I'm Gonna Make You Love Me show've went further than it did. I thought this cd was a great investment, and should've bought the Ichiban/Atco Sessions-She Didn't Know by Dee Dee when I had the chance.

If you had your radio on or near a jukebox, chances are you heard one or more of the twenty-six songs in this collection from the mercury/blue rock sessions...in some ways Dee Dee is a much better singer than her sister Dionne. Believe the only obstacle between her and the hanging star up there, was the material given to her.

Must mention the stand outs ~ "LOVER'S CHANT", "I WANT TO BE WITH YOU", "I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME" and "FOOLISH FOOL" ~ realize with better songs available...Dee Dee might have surpassed her sister, better voice and control.

Total Time: 73:21 on 26 Tracks ~ Hip-O Records 314-558-716-2 ~ (2001)

Gosh, this woman can sing. Probably the greatest of the Warwick/Houston clan but certainly the most unheralded, this CD is always on my pile. From the amazing heights of "I Want To Be With You" to the breathtaking intensity of "Foolish Fool" this CD is chockfilled with Dee Dee's years at Mercury/Blue Rock. The sound is great. The selections are inclusive and the voice is a force to be reckoned with. Catch the original of the Zombies "Gotta Get A Hold Of Myself" here and you may not look back and the definitive Carole King/Gerry Goffin chestnut "Yours Until Tomorrow" version. 'Love this CD!! "Thank God" as Dee Dee sings. Enjoy!

It must be a dream come true for Dee Dee Warwick fans to finally have a definitive CD compilation of Dee Dee's 60s recordings with Mercury/Blue Rock and we have retro specialist label Hip-O to thank for it. Granted, the audio quality isn't always uniformly excellent - some are inherently poor due to faulty masters. But it's a distinct improvement over the sound quality we got from the Belgian private label release which most likely relied on second generation tapes. About half of the tracks are new to CD but with well researched and insightful liner notes written by soul music journalist David Nathan, it is a compelling buy. All the R&B & pop chart hits are here. There are also some great B sides and rare recordings such as a stunning version of "Alfie". Dee Dee always seemed to be the unlucky loser, missing the big ones even when she got there first. Her release of "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" preceded Madeline Bell's and the Supremes' & the Temptations' versions but it was they (not Dee Dee) who got more chart recognition. Dee Dee always had the vocal chops to match the very best black female artistes who made the big time, her own sister Dionne included. What she lacked in her performances was sympatico and that elusive quality that determined whether or not you became a star. Her phrasing lacked colour and was often predictable. She also tended to over sing and came across on these occasions as strident and loud. "That's Not Love" is the perfect example of this tendency towards vocal excess. But then, she was also capable of delivering something close to magical on a song like "Ring Of Bright Water". Notwithstanding, her voice, just like Doris Troy's and many others, may have been a wonderful instrument but it wasn't unique. These singers sounded great in an ensemble but as a solo performer lacked charisma. Dee Dee's gift was of a different kind. Her place in the history of black music has been well documented and this Hip-O compilation pays fitting tribute to her contribution.

This is a long overdue anthology. Dee Dee Warwick has one of the most powerful,soulful voices I have ever heard. Unfortunately, Dee Dee never found a writer to work with like sister Dionne and Burt Bacharach. With better material, Dee Dee would have definitely eclipsed Dionne. Her voice is truly amazing and transcends the mostly mediocre. Give Dee Dee a good song like the title cut or "Ring Of Bright Water" and she is wonderful. Give her a weak song like "Foolish Fool" and watch her go to work and give the best performance on the entire 26 cut cd. This cd covers Dee Dee's years on Mercury Records (1965-73). I always found Mercury 45's to have a fuzzy sound quality. That fuzziness is apparent on a few of these tracks. But don't let that discourage you from buying this cd. Dee Dee transcends all obstacles. If you care about REAL R+B singing, Dee Dee is your girl.

Die-hard, old school, soul fans, who
know the voice of Dee Dee Warwick,
know that she is a bona fide member of
the Warwick-Houston clan of soulful
divas. Her Grammy-nominated, R&B top
ten hit, the blistering "Foolish Fool," is
just one example of soul music at its most soulful.
Dionne Warwick has said that
her baby sister is "the singer in this
family," and she may be right! That's
quite a compliment considering this
family not only includes Dionne, but
Cissy and Whitney Houston!

Sadly the late Dee Dee Warwick never achieved the stardom, or recognition that her sister Dionne achieved. That's unfortunate since she was easily as talented as Dionne. I might even argue her voice was better - certainly more soulful.

Warwick's professional musical career began in the mid-1950s as a member of The Gospelaires which she formed with older sister Dionne and her aunt Cissy Houston. Like many other Gospel singers, by the late1950s she'd expanded her repertoire to include secular music, becoming an in-demand sessions singer supporting a broad spectrum of era pop and soul acts (including some of her sister's early sessions). Starting in 1963 she began to pursue a low-keyed solo career via a recording contract with Jubilee and the release of a Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller produced 45:

- 1963's 'You're No Good' b/w 'Don't Call Me Anymore' (Jubilee catalog number 5459) # 117 pop

Even though the single hit the lower ranks of the pop charts, Jubilee dropped Warwick.

Convinced they could make her a star Leiber and Stoller signed her to their Tiger label producing her second single (they couldn't):

- 1964's 'Don't Think My Baby's Coming Back' b/w 'Standing By' (Tiger catalog number 103)

Warwick's next single was released by the small New York Hurd label:

- 1964s 'I Can't Go Back' b/w 'I (Who Have Nothing)' (Hurd catalog number 79)

A year later she reappeared on Carl Proctor's Mercury distributed Blue Rock label:

- 1965's 'Do It with All of Your Heart' b/w 'Happiness' (Blue Rock catalog number 4008) # 124 pop
- 1965's 'I Want To Be with You' b/w 'We're Doing Fine' (Blue Rock catalog number 4027)
- 1965's 'You Don't Know What You Do To Me' b/w 'We're Doing Fine' (Blue Rock catalog number 4028) # 96 pop; # 28 R&B
- 1965's 'Gotta Get a Hold of Myself' b/w 'Another Lonely Saturday' (Blue Rock catalog number 4032)

When Blue Rock folded Warwick was picked up by Mercury.

- 1966's 'I Want To Be with You' b/w 'Lover's Chant' (Mercury catalog number 72548) # 41 pop; # 9 R&B
- 1966's 'I'm Gonna Make You Love Me' b/w 'Yours Until Tomorrow' (Mercury catalog number 72638) # 88 pop, # 13 R&B

Even though Warwick had enjoyed considerable commercial success over the previous four years, Mercury management didn't get around to releasing an album until 1967's "I Want To be with You". Apparently still uncertain of Warwick's commercial potential, the album was essentially a compilation that served to sweep up material from her earlier Blue Rock and Mercury singles. Only two of the ten tracks were 'new' performances ('Worth Every Tear I Cry' and 'House of Gold'). For a retrospective, the album was surprisingly impressive, serving to showcase Warwick's surprisingly soulful voice. Anyone expecting to hear Dionne-styled MOR pop was likely to be surprised by tracks like ' I'm Gonna Make You Love Me' and the bluesy 'Happiness'.

- Her first single for Mercury, 'I Want To Be with You' was a BIG, BIG ballad. Complete with Phil Spector-styled arrangement, the song was originally featured in the Broadway Show "Golden Boy". Warwick was lucky to have survived the song. It would have swallowed Dionne without a trace. There was a decent melody in there somewhere, but amidst all the reverb, echo, and the huge arrangement it was hard to tell. rating: ** stars
- An earlier Blue Rock 'B' side, 'We're Doing Fine' was a far funkier track that served to showcase Warwick's taunt and likeable voice. It would have been even better with a streamlined arrangement. rating: *** stars
- Ed Townsend produced a great deal of Warwick's catalog and 'Do It with All Your Heart' was one he also wrote. Her first single of Blue Rock, this one was a very nice soul ballad with one of those instantly recognizable hooks. Love the nod to then-popular dances (twist, monkey, etc.). rating: **** stars
- Warwick's final Blue Rock 45, 'Gotta Get a Hold of Myself ' showcased a deeper voice than Warwick normally employed. The basic song wasn't anything great, kind of fumbling around for a melody and rhythm, though the chorus was okay. The Zombies cover is actually better. rating: ** stars
- One of the two 'new' performances, 'Worth Every Tear I Cry' was a nice up tempo soul number. Once again a cluttered arrangement served to distract from the performance and Warwick made the mistake of confusing shrieking with power. rating: *** stars
- My choice for standout performance, her cover of Kenny Gamble and Jerry Ross' 'I'm Gonna Make You Love Me' should have been an even bigger hit than it was (# 88 pop). Simply a classic soul performance. Interestingly, The Temptations and Supremes enjoyed a massive hit when they released a cover of the track that used virtually the same arrangement. rating: **** stars
- An earlier 'B' side, 'Yours Until Tomorrow' offered up a nice, if slightly MOR cover of the Goffin-King classic. While far from my favorite performance, the song did serve as a wonderful showcase for Warwick's voice. rating: *** stars
- The MOR ballad 'Another Lonely Saturday' was the one song that could have been mistaken for a Dionne Warwick performance. Simply too sappy for my tastes. rating: ** stars
- Another Ed Townsend composition, 'Happiness' was interesting for its bluesy feel and the fadeout references to then popular celebrities (Ed Sullivan, Sammy Davis Jr.). Hard to imagine Dionne recording something like this one. rating: ** stars
- The second 'new' track, 'House of Gold' found Warwick taking a stab at the then-popular Latin feel that was invading pop charts. In theory this should have been about as enjoyable as your normal Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass record, but Warwick somehow managed to make it work. rating: *** stars

Not sure why, but this is a surprisingly hard to score LP !!!

"I Want To Be with You" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) I Want To Be with You (L. Adams - C. Strouse) - 2:20
2.) We're Doing Fine (H. Ott) - 2:37
3.) Do It with All Your Heart (Ed Townsend) - 2:27
4.) Gotta Get a Hold of Myself (Clint Ballard Jr. - A. Riela) - 2:50
5.) Worth Every Tear I Cry (H. Ott - R. Evretts) - 2:11

(side 2)
1.) I'm Gonna Make You Love Me (Kenny Gamble - Jerry Ross) - 3:02
2.) Yours Until Tomorrow (Gerry Goffin - Carole King) - 3:02
3.) Another Lonely Saturday (Bob Elgin - Eddie Snyder) - 3:03
4.) Happiness (Ed Townsend) - 2:27
5.) House of Gold (Phillips - Barkan) - 2:20

DeDe is just awesome. Now, I do not care for this CD as much as her Atco 1970's work, but there are still some good ones here.

I love the opening track - in which DeDe played the drums, besides sang - 'Do It with All Your Heart.' Apparently the song even charted, however a very low No.122. Bad for such a good song. Others such as 'Gotta Get a Hold of Myself,' and the soul-belter 'Worth Every Tear I Cry' just kick [...]. Also, you cannot exclude her No.5 R&B hit 'I Want To Be with You,' and No.13 hit 'I'm Gonna Make You Love Me.' There are other good songs on here too, but my absolute favourite is her redition of 'Alfie.' Oh, my God! It's just amazing. Now, I've heard Cher's version (from the film; which I like better than Dionne's), Cilla Black's (which is just terrible), and Dionne's (which is eh, okay - not bad). But DeDe's version didn't even chart. It is so damn powerful and absolutely needs to be heard.

Many either don't know this or forget, but DeDe started out as a background vocalist, and when she got a solo contract recorded many songs that would later be made famous by other artists. Songs such as 'You're No Good,' 'I'm Gonna Make You Love Me,' and 'Alfie.'