Mitty Collier's Georgia Soul

Mitty Collier - What Do You Want

Mitty Collier's legacy in the history of soul music is generally associated with Chicago and Chess Records, where she recorded the classic "I Had a Talk With My Man" and other fine records like "Sharing You" (my personal favorite of her Chess sides), which mixed a sophisticated Chicago soul sound with Collier's gospel contralto. In 1969, Mitty left Chess and signed with Stax singer William Bell's Atlanta-based Peachtree label for a three-year stint. None of her five Peachtree singles did well commercially, but all of them are outstanding. Today's selection was an unissued Peachtree recording that was included in the fantastic Grapevine compilation William Bell Presents Atlanta Soul: The Peachtree Records Story (see Brian Poust's review for more information about this must-have CD). "What Do You Want" is deep soul to the nth degree. The stunning opening is followed by Collier's fantastic reading of the tune. It's a powerful recording and it's one of my favorites on the CD.

A quick post script: after one post-Peachtree single in 1972 Collier decided to leave the secular music business and to return to the church. Now Rev. Mitty Collier, she pastors a church on the South Side of Chicago, where she helped retro soul man Eli "Paperboy" Reed forge his career during an apprenticeship as a church musician.