Anybody Remember Delores Hall?

**discodjinn** · November 5th, 2005, 11:51 AM

During a recent record expedition I took a chance with a self-titled album by Delores Hall. I don't remember her name-- unless she's the actress from the NY stage show Your Arms Too Short To Box With God I used to see advertized on TV back in the 70s-- but on listening to the lp, I vaguely remember the track "Snapshot," which got airplay for a couple of days, I think, on NYC radio. If it was the single, it didn't chart on the soul, pop, or disco charts.

I was impressed not only with the fact that Hall seems to have fallen into oblivion as far as record-making goes, but also with how enjoyable the album is. There are a number of strong disco tracks, and her vocal powers are good (think Loleatta Holloway crossed with Jackie Moore). I thought the record company picked the wrong track for a single, but maybe the whole project was doomed to sink in the glut of 1979 releases. The album was produced by Robert Thiele and Mark Kamins, and I can't think of what other lps they produced, but the sounds are good. Does anyone else know of this Delores Hall record?

**QUINNY** · November 5th, 2005, 02:01 PM

I listed Snapshot in one of my 10 tracks I'm listening today posts, about 6 weeks ago. Must admit, I was pleasantly surprised when I gave the 12" a spin after all these years. It wouldn't have been an obvious choice for accolades based on how many times one sees it mentioned anywhere, but stands up incredibly well. I thought the 12" had an amazing amount of joie de vivre and her voice incredibly earthy and strong. She deserved better exposure with it.

**Bernie** · November 5th, 2005, 02:08 PM

Don't know the above record. Besides doing a lot of material with Madonna, Mark Kamins has remixed...
http://www.discomusic.com/search/?we...=all&where=all

**SandraDee** · November 5th, 2005, 03:39 PM

Bob Thiele produced stuff for Lonnie Liston Smith. (assuming it's the same person!)

**discodjinn** · November 5th, 2005, 08:32 PM

The lp boasts tracks even stronger than the Snapshot single: Never Needed You Anyway is a funky, mid-tempo piece like Runaway Love; Born To Be Free and I Can't Live Without Your Love have that bittersweet dance vibe like Bobby Eli's productions with Jackie Moore and Ava Cherry. Some top-drawer talent behind the scenes, too-- Yogi Horton on drums, Jimmy Maelen on percussion, Leon Pendarvis on keyboards, Luther Vandross and Gwen Guthrie on backing vocals.

It's these surprise finds that keep me digging through the vinyl shops.

**DISCODISK** · November 5th, 2005, 08:46 PM

Originally Written by discodjinn

I was impressed not only with the fact that Hall seems to have fallen into oblivion as far as record-making goes,

one reason may be because she had already been recording a long time by then she, recorded for the l.a mirwood/keymen group [that included duets with jackie lee] in the mid 60s followed by r.c.a etc, she was no new girl,great singer

**eddie** · November 5th, 2005, 10:38 PM

I distinctly remember her from the CD Sex and Soul volume 2 on EMI. It was a collection of almost rare soul tracks from the late 1970's and 80's. "Never let you go" was a ballad that starts off without an intro and is very soulful and gospelish. Now that you mention it, she does sound alot like Linda Clifford.