Scorched - Varetta Dillard - 1959

This weekend I kicked the prep for the upcoming Sugar Town into high gear and getting so excited to celebrate the ladies of classic soul and r&b as we launch into Women's History Month.  I've been gathering all kinds of fresh 45s for this event and I can't wait to share them with you!
This will be the 4th edition of the Ladies of Classic Soul version of Sugar Town, but I've been throwing versions of this party since 1996.  The record of the day is one of the recordings that's been a go-to for me since the early years.  It lives up to it's name as a real scorcher written and performed by Varetta Dillard on this day in 1959.  

Varetta was born in Harlem in 1933.  She enjoyed moderate success in the mid-1950s, and from the beginning was promoted as a "rock n roll" artist by the legendary DJ Alan Freed (who coined the term "rock n roll"). In fact, Freed included Ms. Dillard in his very first presentation of a rock n roll revue concert in 1952.

Though Varetta's name had largely been missing in the pages of rock 'n' roll and r&b history, today her music is finding a wider audience and a handful of her records are highly sought after by DJs of vintage soul.

Join me at The Spare Room on March 7th to celebrate the music and lives of more ladies of vintage soul and R&B.  AND get warmed up for the event by listening to this red hot R&B!