Oh, Baby

Baby Washington (real name Justine Washington) had a rich, earthy voice that was equally at home on the smooth, uptown soul she made for Sue records from 1962-67 and the tougher, more soulful sides she later cut for the Veep label. She never became a big star but she had a famous fan in Dusty Springfield who covered no less than three songs she did originally: "Breakfast In Bed" "That's How Heartaches Are Made" (her only pop charter) and "I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face."

The new compilation "I Got A Feeling" covers her work for both labels and, as a bonus for soul trainspotters, includes all of her rare (and excellent) Veep album "With You In Mind" which is available on CD for the very first time. "No Time For Pity" from 1965 is a moody beauty with a soulful vocal that's deeper than a lot of her other Sue stuff. Her performance on this terrific, poised but very passionate. The 1969 Veep single "Think About The Good Times" shows that she could also be a great soul belter when given a stomping groove to holler over. This is a tight and very funky number (with an intro that sounds a lot like "Cool Jerk" to me) written by singer J.J Jackson and Sidney Barnes (who later formed The Rotary Connection) that was originally recorded by The Soul Sisters. Hearing both of these you'll think she should be up there with the other female soul greats of the 60s. I'm not surprised Dusty was a fan.

[Download]
No Time For Pity - Baby Washington
Think About The Good Times - Baby Washington