Black Music Month 2014: For Tammi

From Wikipedia

I love, love, love me some Tammi Terrell. This soulful starlet passed over twenty years before I was even born, but mention of her death breaks my heart nonetheless. This isn't going to be a sadness ridden post, however. I want to celebrate the sweet, sultry, and soul-filled voice that belonged to Thomasina Montgomery, known to us as Miss Tammi Terrell.

************

"If You See Bill"

According to Wikipedia, "If You See Bill" was released as a single in 1961 for an album called The Early Show (recorded with Chuck Jackson). However, it appears that the album wasn't released until 1967. Ms. Terrell (who at this time, went by Tammy Montgomery) was about 15 years old when she recorded this song.

************

"I Cried"

James Brown and Bobby Byrd "I Cried" and Tammy Montgomery recorded it in 1963 for Brown's "Try Me Records" label. Mr. Brown recorded a (more popular) version of the song himself in 1971.

************

"Come On and See Me"

Here is a single from Tammi's only solo album, titled Irresistible. The album, which consists of music Tammi recorded for Motown between 1965 and 1968, was released in January of 1969, almost a year before Tammi's passing. This single in particular was released in 1966.

************

Below are some of Tammi's popular duets with fellow Motown recording artist, Marvin Gaye.

************

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough"

(A Cappella)

Tammi and Marvin recorded this Ashford and Simpson hit on five different dates actually--December 26, 1966, January 6th, 11th, and 29th of 1967, and on February 1, 1967. It was released as a single from their album, United, on April 27, 1967.

************

"Your Precious Love"

"Your Precious Love" was also recorded for the album, United. It peaked at #2 on the R&B Singles chart and #5 on the Pop Singles chart. This too is a song written by Nikolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson.

************

"If I Could Build My Whole World Around You"

"If I Could Build My Whole World Around You" was one of many songs written for Tammi and Marvin by Harvey Fuqua and Johnny Bristol, and it was the third single from United.

************

"If This World Were Mine"

(A Cappella - you'll fall in love with this)

This song was written by none other than Mr. Marvin Gaye himself. It was the last single from United and was also the B-side to "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You". Just listen to how Tammi lets every note and every syllable she sings simmer and sizzle...amazing.

************

"You're All I Need to Get By"

By this time, Tammi Terrell's condition had worsened. According to Wikipedia, Tammi and Marvin recorded their vocals for "You're All I Need to Get By" separately (and combined during mixing) to save studio time and to give Tammi time to recover from a recent surgery to repair a malignant brain tumor. The site also mentions that Ms. Terrell was in a wheelchair when she recorded, and if memory serves me correctly, this fact is also mentioned in TVOne's Unsung episode on her. I don't want to make light of Ms. Terrell's illness, but I believe that this serves as a testament to her talent and the power of her voice.

"You're All I Need to Get By" was the second single from the duo's second studio album together, You're All I Need.


************

"This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)

Finally, I want to bring us back to "solo Tammi" and end this post with another single from her only solo album, Irresistible. This H-D-H (and Sylvia Moy)-written song was originally recorded by The Isley Brothers for their 1966 album of the same name. Tammi's single was released in 1969.


************

Tammi Terrell's Discography (Wikipedia)