Another RIP ...

The Supremes - The Day Will Come Between Sunday and Monday

First of all, I must say that we're losing too many of our soul legends this year!

I unfortunately have to bring another, albeit belated, RIP note to this blog: Pervis Jackson, bass singer for the Spinners, died earlier this week. Jackson was with the group from its inception until ill health forced him to stop touring in June of this year. Unfortunately I don't have "Games People Play," the song for which Jackson is best known due to his solo parts, available here at work in order to feature it today, but I'm sure many of you have the song or have at least heard it. RIP "Mr. 12:45." Your sound will live on forever through those great Motown, VIP and Atlantic sides.

Now on to today's selection. Motown's practice of recording the same song on multiple artists usually had the beneficial side effect of providing lots of released versions (albeit sometimes only on LP) that allow the strength of the song itself to shine, as regardless of which version is played, the song's lyrics, melody or instrumentation will pop out at the listener. "The Day Will Come Between Sunday and Monday" was a 1970 single from British singer Kiki Dee's Tamla LP Great Expectations. Neither the single nor the album, produced by Frank Wilson, succeeded commercially, so Ms. Dee had to wait until her hit duet with Elton John, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," put her at the top of the charts in the U.S. However, the Jean Terrell-led Supremes recorded a version of the tune that languished in Motown's vaults until the CD era, and as I noted above, hearing multiple versions of the song shows how good it was despite its commercial failure. Jean, Mary and Cindy really sell the sharp lyrics of this Pam Sawyer-Joe Hinton song, which is strongly augmented by a very dramatic arrangement.