Music To Fight Those Monday Blues - Jimmie & Vella Posted by Junior

Jimmie & Vella: Yes Or No and Well From: Heartbeat [Imperial, 1974] Maybe it's my age, but the weekends of abuse I put my body through seem to take longer to get over these days and it's common for me to traipse into work on a Monday not feeling quite at my sparkling best. At these times the right album is an absolute must and what's keeping me upright and in a good frame of mind today is Jimmie & Vella Cameron's 1974 effort Heartbeat. I've trawled the depths of google to get more information for you about this pair but have sadly failed miserably. I can tell you that they had albums before this effort and that they went on making long players into the early eighties but beyond that I'm coming up empty handed. Any knowledge that can be dropped on their career and other albums would be greatly appreciated. It's difficult to describe the soulful beauty of this album but the best comparison I can come up with is to the personal favourite of mine Barbara and Ernie's Prelude To. As with that album the duo's voices work so well together because they play off each other's sound, flowing in and out of harmony. Yes or No is one of those songs which, as soon as you hear it, you're sure it's been with you your whole life as the Jimmie and Vella's voices swoop to highs and lows over the simplest of accompaniments. I have no idea what the note they hit in the chorus of this is but, whatever the key is, it gives me shivers. Timeless and beautiful. Well kicks off like a late sixties soul track before layering up the melody as the tune goes on, what begins as a structured soul song develops into a more unhinged effect with the singers scatting over the melody. Not as chaotic as my description, it's a right little head bopper. Bad news time, no reissue seems to be forthcoming on this album and I haven't seen any news about it so you'll have to do with my crackly, tinny, copy for now. I for one would love to get a remastered and polished version of the album for all those difficult Mondays to come.....