Barbara Acklin - After You

This is Barbara Acklin's 1969 release, AFTER YOU.
As a teenager, she began singing in nightclubs while attending Dunbar Vocational High school. Upon graduation, she was hired as a secretary for local record label by her cousin, saxophonist Monk Higgins. Her first release was under the name Barbara Allen on his Special Agent label. Later, Higgins used Acklin as a background singer on his Chess Records sessions.

In 1966, Acklin began working as a receptionist for record producer Carl Davis at Brunswick Records. Always keeping in mind her goal of becoming a recording star, she persistently asked Davis to record her. Davis said that he would, but, in the meantime, he encouraged her to keep writing songs. Cornering Brunswick Records star Jackie Wilson, Acklin had him listen to a tune that she co-wrote with David Scott (formerly of The Exciters). Wilson liked it and passed it on to Davis. Released September 1966, the song, "Whispers (Gettin Louder)" went to number six R&B and number 11 on the Hot 100 in the fall of 1966. The song helped re-launch his career in the late 1960s. To return the favor, Wilson helped Acklin secure a recording contract with Brunswick. Acklin's first chart success came from "Show Me the Way to Go," a duet with Chandler, reaching number 30 R&B in the spring of 1968. In July 1968, Acklin had a hit of her own with the extremely catchy "Love Makes a Woman," which went to number three R&B and number 15 on the Hot 100 in August 1968. The song also won a BMI Award.

Another Chandler/Acklin duet followed in October 1968. "From the Teacher to the Preacher" reached number 16 R&B and number 57 pop. Acklin's next charting singles were "Just Ain't No Love," "Am I the Same Girl" (covered by Dusty Springfield, Swing Out Sister and The Manhattan Transfer), "I Did It," "Lady Lady Lady," and "I Call It Trouble." In 1974, Acklin departed Brunswick for Capitol Records. Her first single, "Raindrops," was a R&B hit in June of that year.

Prior to Brunswick releasing her "Am I the Same Girl", they removed her voice from the track and replaced it with a piano and released as the instrumental track "Soulful Strut," which became a massive hit for Young-Holt Unlimited. Unfortunately for Acklin, her release of the song did not get the promotion as "Soulful Strut" received. However, she was also proficient as a songwriter - in addition to "Whispers (Gettin' Louder)" for Jackie Wilson, she co-wrote "Have You Seen Her" with her husband Eugene Record, who was also the lead singer of The Chi-Lites, as well as several of their other biggest hits: "Oh Girl", "Stoned Out Of My Mind" and "Toby."

Barbara Acklin died from pneumonia on November 27, 1998.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Northern
• Soul
• Barbara
• Achlin

[barbaraAcklinJr]

This is one of my favorites, and thank God we have my mothers voice to help keep her talent recognized and appreciated. I miss you mommy!

[northerngirl72]

Like it!

[jamesdonstracker]

@Gazoor2004 . Just to let you know. I live in the UK and I know peolpe who rate your Mum as their best female singer, ...her writing and singing skills will never be forgotten. I heard her songs when I was younger in house parties in the 70's played in raregroove parties In the 80's and 90's and is now played by people like me forever.

[jamesdonstracker]

Magic Lady.....Just Magic!!

[Gazoor2004]

@barbaraAcklinJr  Thank your mother for me in your prayers for beng instrumental in forming my musical taste from the age of 13, when I first heard..... "Love Makes A Woman", I often play "After You", introducing it as LMAW pt.2, for obvious reasons............. XX

[ssoderstrom]

fantastic

[smartypantsnancy]

You are Jerrys mate arent you ..never mind hahaaha xx good music x Nancy Lois xx

[RoccoChandler]

z42Z Nightclub Promoter, they said it can't be done but believe me it can sunsetnightclub (dot) com

[dbthegroovemaster]

sandfordway - I like all the tracks by Barbara Acklin but what about "Lady Lady Lady". That is a very very big hit in my books. You should post that too

[jacqui4elvis]

I love Barbara's voice, one of my favourites is Just Aint no love. One talented lady.