Name: The Money Masters
Brand: Bettye Swann

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

KENT508

Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2017-11-24

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

029667006712

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Total Cap

Artist

Bettye Swann

Genre GB

Funk / Soul

Label GB

Kent

Best known for her 1967 R&B chart-topper "Make Me Yours," Bettye Swann is a Southern soul chanteuse born in Shreveport, Louisiana on October 24, 1944. She began her career as a member of the Fawns before embarking on a successful solo career in 1964. With hits like "The Man That Said No" and "Don't Look Back," Swann established herself as a talented artist. Her ability to interpret various genres was evident with songs like "I'd Rather Go Blind" and covers of country classics like Merle Haggard's "Today I Started Loving You Again." Although she eventually faded from the music scene, Swann's impact on soul music remains undeniable.

Bettye Swann first gained recognition in the early 1960s as part of the group called the Fawns. However, it was her solo career that truly showcased her talent and artistry. She collaborated with songwriter Carolyn Franklin and producer Arthur Wright to release several singles under the independent Los Angeles label Money.

In 1967, Bettye Swann released her breakthrough hit "Make Me Yours," which also became the title track for her debut album. Throughout the late '60s and early '70s, she continued to release singles and albums under different labels such as Capitol and Atlantic. Notable songs include "My Heart Is Closed for the Season," "Don't Touch Me," and "

The talented Bettye Swann scored an R&amp;B hit with Don’t Wait Too Long, her catchy, self-penned, debut single for Money records in 1965. She seemed to have a bright future but the Motownesque The Man That Said No follow-up did not chart, nor did the tougher-sounding The Heartache Is Gone. However Money’s perseverance paid off when yet another self-written number Make Me Yours, pressed all the right commercial buttons and spent two weeks at the top of the R&amp;B charts in 1967. The song was covered by Z Z Hill and Spencer Wiggins and is an established 60s soul classic.

Swann wrote nearly all her own songs at Money, except a cover of the Temptations’ Don’t Look Back and an exquisite rendition of Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come which was on her Make Me Yours LP and is featured here. An LP was scheduled after the first hit, Don’t Wait Too Long, but was shelved when the follow-ups failed. That album contained the previously unheard The Dance Is Over and a faster version of I Think I’m Falling In Love compared to the later single; both are deserved inclusions here. The momentum from Swann’s big hit carried over to Fall In Love With Me which also charted, but the next 45 was that cover of Don’t Look Back which did not add enough to the Temptations’ version to earn many sales. Far better was the urgent and unusual Don’t Take My Mind which featured mature lyrics but was not far out enough to join in the black psychedelic success of the time. After Money, Swann moved to Capitol, Fame and Atlantic but her song-writing on these releases dwindled and then ceased. This LP is testament to her song-writing as well as her vocal skills.

The Money Masters

Music GB