Finishing up our week of Soul with some Brenda Holloway. Probably a name many people aren't familiar with, unless you are Soul devotee, Brenda Holloway scored a number of hits for Motown during the 60's. Among them was this track, When I'm Gone, which was originally recorded by label mate Mary Wells, but re-recorded by Holloway in 1964 when Wells abruptly left Motown for 20th Century Fox Records. Wells' loss became a sizable hit for Holloway who added this one to a growing list of Motown classics. Holloway was also a song writer and went on to write a number of hits for other groups. Not to mention she was an opening act for The Beatles during their 1965 U.S. tour.
Not gaining the same stature as Diana Ross or Martha Reeves, Holloway was nonetheless a highly regarded singer whose lilting voice became a signature for the elegant side of Soul in the '60's.
If you haven't heard her or haven't heard her in a while, check her out and get a taste of what you've been missing.
