Billy Stewart Ol' Man River

Posted this because nobody can make a tune his own like Billy. This was a literal Super Session when it was recorded in '66. On this single song you have of course Billy, but also The Dells on backup with an 18 yr. old Minnie Riperton adding the thrilling high notes. Louis Satterfield (EWF) on bass, jazzman Bunky Green on sax, Pete Cosey (Miles Davis) and Bryce Robertson on guitar. If that isn't enough, there's Sonny Thompson and Leonard Caston (Radiants) on keyboards, Charles Stepney on vibes,and finally Morris Jennings (Ramsey Lewis Trio) on drums. No wonder this sounds so great. And cudos to Phil Wright who got all of these guys to work so well together. There is one amazing thing, Billy Stewarts vocals stand out as the best thing about this old standard. Must have been an amazing day at 2120 South Michigan. A Universal Music Group recording.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Northern
• Soul
• Oldies
• Chicago

[piscesbarb]

This makes me miss the burgh. go steelers. I love billy stewart. t.y. I love pgh.

[pghpookie]

where did you go? i thought all billy stewart/steelers fans stuck around.

[panxosolis]

Minnie riperton??!!! CooL!

[pghpookie]

thanks for watching all the way from chile! i see you are a big minnie fan. she did indeed sing on this session. she can also be heard on billy stewart's 'temptation' and 'cross my heart', along with the dells vocal group. this billy stewart session was done right after minnie had recorded and released 'lonely girl' under the name 'andrea davis'.charles stepney, her future producer ('come to my garden'), also played on the billy stewart sessions in '66. i think she was incredible at age 18.

[kobie8819591]

Best song in the world

[paulibeva]

The best version ever, thanks pookie

[lonrgrrl59]

Listened to this track over and over constantly during my growing up years in the projects in the Bronx all because my older sister and brothers had the record while I was in either first or second grade in public school. Glad I was able to find it and to save as a personal favorite.

[westpalmbeach5]

He died when he was only 33 years old!

Listen to all the song he left...... Wow

What a talent...... I guess "Only the good one die young"

[MaconWall]

Thanks for the post. I had no idea so many greats where on back up. Billy was the man.

[sicilianwop]

Only a very few artist could flip a song like this and make it his own ........The Late Great Billy Stewart........

[kobie8819591]

great song

[kobie8819591]

Great song.

[loverofgoodmusic23]

Never cared for this tune until Mr. Billy Stewart sang it. Thanx for the upload!

[3kingkool]

I never heard this track before. What a wonderful find. I wish I could get this somewhere but I am sure it must be long out of print. Thanks for the background information on all the famous people in the studio with Billy on this jam. Youtube rocks.