From my website's front page series about lesser known artists who performed the original versions of Australian or NZ records.
See also: the full collection of over 30 Obscure Originators features.
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The consensus is that Willie Harper should have been better known. It's safe to say that more people have heard his voice than would know his name.
Right from the start of Ernie K-Doe's hit Mother-In-Law (1961 #1 USA, #8 Australia), you hear a deep voice singing and repeating the single word Mother-in-law. That's Benny Spellman, but the voice that echoes him, there and throughout the song, is Willie Harper.
New Kind Of Love (1962) was one of several singles recorded by Harper for the Alon and Sansu labels, both co-owned by Allen Toussaint, the major New Orleans producer, songwriter, arranger, singer and pianist.
Harper was a constant presence in the background of Toussaint's studio productions, and his own releases were typically written, produced or arranged by Toussaint. A Willie And Allen single from 1967 is by Harper and Toussaint.
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| Breakout in Chicago: Billboard 6 Jan 61 |
The composer of New Kind Of Love is Earl King, another multi-skilled New Orleans musician. Although the recording is admired by R&B and soul fans, it had only localised success at the time.
Australian pop star Ray Brown released his version of New Kind Of Love in February 1967, the B-side of a double-sided hit with The Same Old Song (#12 Australia).
For more about the song and Willie Harper, see Ray Brown - New Kind Of Love.
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