All I Need is Some Sunshine in My Life - Dixie Nightingales

Stax ran a gospel label called Chalice in the 60s and this was one of their recordings. The musicians are probably Booker T and the MGS. Cut about 1965, it strangely went unreleased until the early 90s.

David Ruffin was once a member of the group but contrary to rumour he is not the lead singer here. It was Ollie Hoskins, who led the group from gospel to soul when they became Ollie and the Nightingales.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• gospel
• soul
• oldies
• ollie
• hoskins
• nightingales
• stax
• chalice
• memphis
• black
• snake
• moan

[wfelixluck]

This version is a slightly different take than the version found on the "Free At Last" Chalice label CD compilation (recommended). Anyone have any further info?

[bluesoulsound]

@wfelixluck The "Free at Last" version is a different take, but it's from the same session. I got this from a Stax archives release called "3000 Volts of Stax", which came out a bit earlier and featured the better take in my opinion.

[asakamoto80]

I am in love with this song. I am trying to find it on tower records. Did the dixie nightingales go by a different name?

[bluesoulsound]

They called themselves The Nightingales when they stopped doing gospel, even though that name had been used before by a major gospel group.

[DandJRuffin]

Wow!!! I love this track. Thank you so much.

You mentioned David Ruffin singing with the group at one time; could it be that I hear him in the background harmonies?

[bluesoulsound]

I am sure he had been gone for a few years. The group started in the late 50s but only signed for Stax in 1965. DR was well established in the Temps by then. He and Ollie had similar styles so some people thought this was him on lead.

[dundeechelsea01]

Absolute magic in lead vocal- You're keepin up the high standard on your page- there's a slight similarity with OV Wright in that lead..........................­Thanks

[thewalkin1nstrument]

Ever since i heard the snippet of this song on 'black snake moan' Ive been trying to find this song on cd. This is the first time i heard the whole song.

Thank you.

[buddyloveeffect]

Love this song!! Real music

[therealmisstoni]

I first heard this song on "Black Snake Moan". I could not find it anywhere so I brought the movie and would just play that part over and over. Finally I had to special order it at a music store. Really love this song! This version is ok but I like the version from the movie better.

[handymanm]

Are you sure it was with Booker T and the MG's? Although the guitar sounds familer I had always thought they worked with chips moman and american studios?

[MissToni2002]

I love love love this song. When I first heard it on Black Snake Moan, I was like I have to have this song. It took alot of effort to find it. So happy it is up here now. Love this song!

[dharmamooney]

also known as ollie and the nightingales

[SelectaGroovy]

Straight to my head!

[TheKingEsquire]

I visit this song on youtube as if it were my shrink.

[jedimindtricks87]

oh my god! wow

[wfelixluck]

@bluesoulsound Thanks for clearing that up. I'd heard of the "3000 Volts" release, but had assumed it to be a mere "Best-of" comp. I will look into it. Hard to believe that this stirring work didn't see a proper release in the era of its inception.