LITTLE EDITH---I COULDN'T TAKE IT---JESSICA

Had this record for a few years now and always liked it, but can't ever recall hearing it played out.Was told it was played at the Casino at one point.Any info on this one,who played it,who is she,and was it ever a big tune.

It looks like a Chicago pressing, but Jessica Records may have been located in St. Louis, as the Willie Small Jessica release was distributed by Del Record Distributors (out of St. Louis). His cuts also were published by Angie Music, and produced by Angie Productions (Curtis Smith ). Haskins is also a prominent name on this release, as co-producer and writer. McElrath was the other. Those names seem familiar to me as Chicago late '60s players. But, I can't place them right now. I seem to remember Jessica being a St. Louis label, and maybe Charles Drain's being associated with the label in some way. It looks like a Chicago pressing from 1968 or '69. i remember little Edith as an R&B shouter with a bluesy slant. She appeared some in Chicago (as many St. Louis artists did), but I don't remember her coming from a Chicago high school (so she may not have lived there, but only came for tour gigs.

LITTLE EDITH---I COULDN'T TAKE IT---JESSICA

Had this record for a few years now and always liked it, but can't ever recall hearing it played out.Was told it was played at the Casino at one point.Any info on this one,who played it,who is she,and was it ever a big tune.

It was around in the early to mid 70's. Usually ran about £3 a copy back then. I think it was played early on @ Wigan but not much - maybe a couple of times possibly by Kev or Russ. Never took off. Probably not enough dynamics at the time and quite a basic production so never cut through......funny that I can remember the song very easily though even though I haven't heard it for 35+ years.........

Ian D

Jessica records and all its artists are milwaukee.

Yes. I can't believe I forgot that. I'm sure I've had at least 3-4 records on Jessica. Who were some of their other artists other than Willie Small and Little Edith? I'm sure I had a few by some bluesy, hard-edged Soul male single artists, but I can't remember their names. Were there any groups? I don't remember seeing any.

Just a bit here about Dellar playing it in mid 70s

It was around in the early to mid 70's. Usually ran about £3 a copy back then. I think it was played early on @ Wigan but not much - maybe a couple of times possibly by Kev or Russ. Never took off. Probably not enough dynamics at the time and quite a basic production so never cut through......funny that I can remember the song very easily though even though I haven't heard it for 35+ years.........

Ian D

Thanks Ian as you say basic production but thats what i like about it,and your right about the song it does get lodged in your brain.Just not quite good enough to make it maybe but its good Northern Soul non the less.

Just a bit here about Dellar playing it in mid 70s

Cheers Dave looks like it got early scene spins then

Yes. I can't believe I forgot that. I'm sure I've had at least 3-4 records on Jessica. Who were some of their other artists other than Willie Small and Little Edith? I'm sure I had a few by some bluesy, hard-edged Soul male single artists, but I can't remember their names. Were there any groups? I don't remember seeing any.

I've got the Willie Small also which was a Stafford spin. Also Got the fantastic uptempo Curtis Smith / Willie Small- The-Living End on related label ESSICA which has How High Can You Fly on the flip

Yes. I can't believe I forgot that. I'm sure I've had at least 3-4 records on Jessica. Who were some of their other artists other than Willie Small and Little Edith? I'm sure I had a few by some bluesy, hard-edged Soul male single artists, but I can't remember their names. Were there any groups? I don't remember seeing any.

I like this (easier to find on the atlantic 2nd press)

i seem to remember chris dalton playing this in the cleethorpes early days but other than that i don't recall hearing it played anywhere.

Torch spin.

The Rosetta sounds a bit different on Jessica.