I Took My Strength From You

[Hank]

I have a version of I Took My Strength From You from an album called The Rare Bacharach 1956-1978. I downloaded it from a somewhat dubious (?) Russian website. No information was provided as to the artist. A prize to the first one who can tell me who it is.

Thanks,

Hank

[grooverider]

Hi Hank, The artist is Sylvester, the out and proud singer who with his incredible range first found fame in the the 70's with the disco hit, "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)". Sylvester initially recorded in San Francisco and his background singers also found fame as The Weather Girls with "It's Raining Men". He sadly left us in 1988 succumbing to AIDS-related complications. Sylvester could sing in a variety of styles but was forever labeled a "disco artist" and found it hard to break out of that classification (he even recorded a Gram Parsons song!). The Bacharach classic "I Took My Strength From You" is from his 1978 album, "Step II" but it was overshadowed by the aforementioned hit "You Make Me Feel".
And, thank you, but no prize necessary, just glad to shine a light on the great Sylvester!

[Hank]

Thanks grooverider. I would never have guessed. That is very understated compared to the sylvester I know.
So it's back to the Russian website to get the Sylvester version of the Gram Parsons song.
What song was it ?
That I have to hear !

[grooverider]

Hey Hank, The song "She" is from Sylvester's 2nd album, "Bazaar" (great title!) which was released in 1973 on the Blue Thumb label. "She" is a Gram Parsons/Chris Etheridge composition. "Bazaar" also included versions of Allan Toussaint's "Play Something Sweet", Otis Redding's "Nobody's Fault But Mine" and James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely tonight". The album is credited to Sylvester & The Hot Band (truth in advertising) but I'm not sure it's available on CD, or if even "She" is available, because of the various greatest hits compilations I have seen only "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" seems available.
Sylvester has also recorded Lennon-McCartney's "Blackbird" and an absolutely gorgeous version of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "OOO Baby Baby". So, yeah, he really tried to escape the "disco artist" label, but found it very difficult.
I bet he'd be really thrilled you were interested in "She".
I hope I have been of some help and I NEVER thought I'd be discussing Sylvester on a Burt Bacharach site! It makes me realize just how much of an influence and reach Burt Bacharach has on modern music.
Thank you, Art

[Hank]

This is great. I'm always trawling for good 70's stuff and tips like this really help.
"She" is one of my favorite Gram Parsons songs. Sounds like there are few other goodies on the album.
Thanks for the info. I'll let you know if I find anything.