Packin' Up - Margie Hendrix - 1965

Marjorie Hendricks (aka Margie Hendrix) was reportedly born on this day in Georgia in 1935. She left us WAY too soon which is hugely tragic.  Equally tragic is how little we know about her.  For someone so revered in soul circles, there's very little information about Margie. Much of the information that is out there is conflicting. It's also challenging to find many photographs of her (there are even photos online labeled to be her, but they aren't her).  She's a bit of an enigma.

What we do know is that Margie was a member of the original Cookies who's biggest hit was the lovely mid-50s classic "In Paradise" for Atlantic.  From the Cookies she went on to found The Raelettes (sometimes spelled the Raelets) and spent the mid 1950s to the early 1960s backing and duetting with Ray Charles.  This is her "claim to fame."  She was depicted in the film Ray and since then has become infinitely more known because of it.

But Margie also had a solo career after parting ways with Ray.  While her output wasn't extensive, she did manage to scorch some 45s with her vocal inferno.  She was perhaps the greatest soul shouter of all time.  

Though Margie didn't put out many solo records, it's still difficult for me to choose my favorite.  The record I've chosen to highlight today is "Packin' Up."  It's a quick-paced, gospel-charged liberation song, written by Margie.  Need a pick-me-up?  This is more effective than a triple shot of espresso.  Give it a taste.