Right on the Tip of My Tongue

by Brenda & the Tabulations

Overview

Unfortunately original release information is not given with this package. But it can safely be deduced that this includes most or all of the tracks from their eponymous 1970 Top & Bottom LP, as well as some non-LP singles ("Right on the Tip of My Tongue" and "A Part of You") and one previously unreleased track, "Sha Na Na -- He Loves Me." Basically, then, it's a survey of their 1969-1971 Top & Bottom output, entirely produced by Van McCoy. The Brenda & the Tabulations/Van McCoy collaboration marked a real high-water mark in Philly soul that deserves wider historical recognition. Certainly there was little, if any, soul produced in the city outside the Gamble-Huff and Thom Bell empires that was of such a high standard. Philly sweet soul was rarely more melodic than this, probably due in large measure to McCoy's songwriting and arrangements, which went heavy on the graceful strings and flutes. Brenda Payton and her group do a lot on their part, though, putting across the songs without overdoing it. A half-dozen R&B hits are here: the title track (also a pretty big pop hit), "The Touch of You," "And My Heart Sang (Tra La La)," "A Part of You," the one stab at social consciousness ("A Child No One Wanted"), and a remake of "Don't Make Me Over." There's not much filler -- an unusual condition for soul-pop artists of the time -- although the one unissued tune, "Sha Na Na -- He Loves Me," is a giggly throwaway. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	05/30/2000
Label:	Jamie/Guyden
UPC:	0647780401124
Rank:	66808

Tracks

1. Right on the Tip of My Tongue
2. Don't Make Me Over
3. The Touch of You
4. Lies Lies Lies
5. California Soul
6. Oh Lord, What Are You Doing to Me
7. A Child No One Wanted
8. Scuse Uz Y'all
9. You've Changed
10. Someday We'll Be Together
11. And My Heart Sang (Tra la La)
12. Always and Forever
13. Sha Na Na - He Loves Me
14. A Part of You
15. Where There's a Will

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Brenda & the Tabulations   Primary Artist
Brenda Payton   Vocals
Maurice Coates   Organ
Ken Wright   Drums
Pat Mercer   Vocals
Deborah Martin   Vocals

Technical Credits

Greg Vaughn   Mastering
Hal David   Composer
Harvey Fuqua   Composer
Burt Bacharach   Composer
Tom Moulton   Mastering
Johnny Bristol   Composer
Luther Dixon   Composer
Jackey Beavers   Composer
Brenda Payton   Composer
Van McCoy   Producer,Composer,Arranger
Valerie Simpson   Composer
Maurice Coates   Composer
Nickolas Ashford   Composer
Jerry Jones   Composer
Joe Cobb   Composer
Eddie Jackson   Composer
Gilda Woods   Producer