Love, Priscilla Priscilla Paris

£12.56

Genre:
Girls
Label:
Ace Records
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDCHD 1343

“She was a conundrum.” The words of her older sister Albeth ring true, not just for Priscilla Paris’ life, but for her musical career. This beautiful, intelligent young woman, the voice that launched a thousand transistor radios with the dreamy ‘I Love How You Love Me’, was a study in contradiction. Forthright yet extremely private, seemingly sure of herself while quite hopelessly lost. Long before their chart visibility at the turn of the 1960s, the Paris Sisters had been trained to be professional entertainers for the best part of a decade, and Priscilla yearned to break free, to rebel. This she did in several different ways, but the most significant was with her creativity; a bold move in an era when female artists of her ilk were poppets to be dangled by the likes of a Phil Spector. Her background was as a performer, not a writer, but Priscilla was determined to say what she needed to say, in song.

On “Love, Priscilla”, the first ever collection of her 1960s solo recordings, we hear both sides of Ms Paris. The consummate professional, whose phrasing and exceptional microphone technique was amongst the best in the business; and the earnest, searching singer-songwriter looking so very desperately for a way to convey what she felt inside. The paradox is particularly evident in her debut album from 1967, the enchanting “Priscilla Sings Herself”, where on the one hand, she spoke of ‘Wandering,’ yet openly declared ‘I’m Home’. Or reversed the cheerful sentiment of ‘I Can’t Complain’ with an urgent plea to ‘Help Me’. All these anomalies create the unseen tension that can so often transform straightforward good music into something very special indeed.

An altogether more relaxed Priss is evident upon “Priscilla Loves Billie”, a classily arranged set of Billie Holliday covers released in 1969. Four recently discovered tracks from the same year feature on “Love, Priscilla”: one tune in particular, ‘Some Little Lovin’ Lie’, is amongst the best productions of her career. By that time, The Paris Sisters had split and Priscilla was on her own, but her solo career would never gain traction, and eventually she would move to Europe, passing tragically in her adopted home Paris in 2004. 

I’ve been a fan of the Paris Sisters for many years, but it wasn’t until the assembly of this compilation that I really began to understand, and fully appreciate, Priscilla’s artistry. Discussing Priss with her sisters Albeth and Sherrell, manager Clancy Grass, and arranger (and one-time paramour) Don Peake, a picture emerged of her as a true maverick; a one-of-a-kind talent who shone brightly when she chose to, but was never truly able to capitalize on her abilities, or the unique gift she had with a song. What remains however, in the work of the Paris Sisters, and the solo recordings collected on “Love Priscilla”, is a legacy that resonates deeply with anyone who hears it. No singer could ask for a more fitting tribute than that.

By Alec Palao

Share

Track listing

Show

Side 1

Delivery & Returns

Show

We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

Press quotes

Show

★★★★

Mojo

Customer reviews

Show

Related products

Customers who bought this item also bought