Description
Release Date: 1990
Label: Collectables
Track List
1. I Know
2. Whip O Will
3. Since I Fell For You
4. Don’t Ask Me No Questions
5. Without Love
6. Talk About Love
7. Love
8. I Never Knew
9. Hurted
10. I’m In A Strain
11. Honest I Do
12. Let’s Steal Away
Notes
With her lone hit “I Know (You Don’t Love Me No More),” singer Barbara George recorded one of New Orleans R&B’s definitive crossover smashes. Born Barbara Ann Smith in the Crescent City’s Ninth Ward on August 16, 1942, she began singing as a teen in her Baptist church choir and writing her own original songs. Already married by age 16, she later befriended local R&B legend Jessie Hill, who wrangled her an audition with saxophonist/arranger Harold Battiste’s fledgling AFO (All for One) label. In June 1961 Battiste organized a split recording session for George and fellow AFO artist Prince La La at producer Cosimo Matassa’s legendary J&M Studios. Backed by New Orleans studio icons including cornetist Melvin Lastie, guitarist Roy Montrell, and drummer John Boudreaux, an impassioned George cut the self-penned “I Know (You Don’t Love Me No More),” a vibrant, up-tempo number inspired by the traditional hymn “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.” Issued via AFO’s national distribution deal with Juggy Murray’s Sue Records, “I Know” hit radio and retail in late 1961 and proved an indomitable hit, topping the U.S. R&B charts and crossing over to number three on Billboard’s pop countdown.
