Doris Troy - I'll Do Anything

Doris Troy was suffering from emphysema when we tried to film her for our "Strange World Of Northern Soul" mega-documentary in late 1998, and was so ill that she went into hospital at the time we were due to film in New York. Then, in early 1999, she was determined to do it, and was temporarily well enough to re-record the classic Northern Soul anthem, "I'll Do Anything", and to film this oh so priceless performance at her house. She was a rarity in the early sixties - a singer who wrote her own material. She was always at the cutting edge. One of the earliest Soul divas, on Atlantic before Aretha, and recording with Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff years before the heady days of the Philadelphia sound. In 1963, while working as an usherette at Harlem's APOLLO, Doris was spotted by JAMES BROWN and was on her way to greatness. A short stint as one half of JAY & DEE, was followed by her classic JUST ONE LOOK(Atlantic 2188,No.10 for 8 weeks US, 1963), later covered in the UK by THE HOLLIES(Parlophone R5104, No.2, 13 weeks,UK, 1964). This was followed by the great WHATCHA GONNA DO ABOUT IT(Atlantic 4011, No.37, 7 weeks, UK, 1964, No.38, 5 weeks, UK, 1965). This success in Britain prompted Doris to try her luck there, adding her unique sound to Dusty Springfield's classic recordings (IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, LITTLE BY LITTLE). In 1969 The Beatles signed her to their Apple label, as an artist, writer & producer! Those sessions featured Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills, Leon Russell & Ringo Starr, among others. While gaining respect for the album, sales were disappointing; but Doris carried on regardless. She recorded a live Gospel album at London's Rainbow Theatre in 1971 for Polydor. 1974 saw Doris in the studio again, for People Records, working with reggae producer Dandy Livingstone on the album "Stretchin' Out". In the years that followed, she returned to the States, recording the musical "MAMA I WANT TO SING". Becoming the highest grossing off-Broadway show ever, "Mama" was the story of Doris's life, with a liberal sprinkling of Gospel, and , of course,"JUST ONE LOOK". Since it's inception in 1981, the show has packed 'em in all over the world - Greece, Japan, Switzerland, Egypt, and, earning an Olivier Awards nomination,in London's West End, with a cast that included Chaka Khan & Denice Williams. Doris played her own mother in the production. In the fall of 1999 Doris appeared in a new show "GOSPEL IS...!" at the Williams Lafayette Institute for the Arts, 7th. Avenue @ 131st Street, Harlem, NYC., described by one reviewer as "The Mama for the Millennium". Doris died in her sleep on February 16, 2004, in Las Vegas. She had been suffering from emphysema for some years.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Northern-Soul
• Philly
• Sixties-Soul
• Diva
• Girl-Groups
• Classic
• Motorcity
• Gamble-Huff

[lowmoorclub]

Ian Lavine, your the man Doris Troy this is top drawer stuff keep on trucking.

[IanLevine]

You really should go to my main page and look through the other 328 videos I have on here.

[garydoncaster]

classic song

[stevve54]

Northern classic !!!!!!!!! keep on dancing.

[giorgioadams]

Thank you so much for the great job you are doing ( ianLevine ) just love all your work on the music.. i just want to say Bravo!! Bravo!!.. its people like you that keep music alive for us to enjoy,, so for that i say bless you and your family.. peace and love and stay safe... your Fan.. P.S. iam on my grandsons chanel... iam 57 yrs. old now . Thank you and God Bless.

[prettycountrygirl2]

REally nice song.

[Kingpablos1]

Thanks for that version Ian, Fantastic!

[andydiana]

Definately a look of the grand diva diana ross here.

[derbyfantrig]

anyone got any northern compelation cds for sale?

im in australia and miss this so so much!

regards nick

[derbyfantrig]

anyone out there cot any northern soul cds for me to buy?

im just looking for compellation stuff of all the old classics,

if you can help and are willing to post to australia i would be very grateful!

ktf

[reflow7]

Fantastic, born to entertain, great timeless beat/vocals, look at a natural entertainer, CLASS, RIP........

[beanoboy2710]

Quite simply one of the best records ever made. Doris Troy was such a beautiful soul, may she rest in peace.

[bobstain16]

Fantastic lady...awesome sound from the past...KTF

[waynethefireman]

bless her.