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Cherries

I've been encouraged by the very positive response to pages on this site devoted to artists who recorded for the several labels run by Henry Hines from his Greenville, MS base as there were some excellent tracks to be found there. The Cherries are another group who cut for Hines, probably in New Orleans where so many of these tracks were recorded. The group was a trio for their first 45 on Della the best side of which was the fine ballad "Make My Life Worth Living". It's true that the low production values take the edge of this track but it's waltz time deep soul still makes a good impression on the listener. I like the rather quavering vibrato of the lead singer and the harmonies of the other girls. The plodding bass dominates the mix sadly but the guitarist plays some good licks and the horns hold grimly on.

By the time of the Big Beat single the Cherries had become a duo and the higher production values and a much improved balance of the mix make the splendid "Why Don't You Love Me And Treat Me Right Because I Been Loving You For (A Long Long Time)" a better track all round. The writer was Vicki Williams, the queen of the longest song titles in the world, and what fine job she did - great chord changes. The lead singer still has that vibrato and her companion chips in with some strong harmonies. The arrangement is a classic deep soul one very well played. A really good side all round.

Note ~ "Make my life worthwhile" and "Don't mistreat me" were included on the RBF LP "Roots Rhythm And Blues" under the name "the Queenettes". Since that name also appears on the Della 45 as co-composers, the group may well have started life as the Queenettes. The notes to the LP state that the group came from New Orleans.

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