I'm A Loser !!

I'm a Loser is the standout recording from Southern soul singer Doris Duke;

problem is, it's nearly impossible to find. Originally released on the Canyon

label in 1970, I'm a Loser found only intermittent life on small domestic and

Japanese labels. For fans of the gritty soul style of early Millie Jackson and

Denise La Salle recordings, this title is worth searching for. The 12 medium-

tempo tracks were mostly penned by fellow Southern singer Gary "U.S."

Bonds and producer Jerry Williams Jr. and are executed nicely by a crack

Capricorn Studio band. There's nothing here on the level of Aretha Franklin's

contemporary triumphs for Atlantic either in the quality of the vocals or

material, but Duke's own gospel-imbued voice, with its slightly hoarse

and urgent tone, finds its own niche. The lean, Stax-inspired numbers

also are very decent and even contain Duke's big hit "To the Other

Woman (I'm the Other Woman)." The fate of the love weary is the

main subject matter here and all its attendant drama is not only

captured well by Duke's pleading vocal delivery, but it is unobtru-

sively underscored by the minimal and tasteful string arrangements.

I'm a Loser may be a somewhat obscure title, but it is one that

would fit into any good soul collection. -Allmusic.com

Yesterday, I ran across a copy of this while on the search for

other records on my bucket-list. And so, here we are. As a
side note, I also found an original pressing of Out of Gas
"But Still Burning by Kashmere Stage Band, for a measly
$10! That's an ultra rare find of Houston funk. Yeesh!

Jesse Carr - Guitar
Doris Duke - Primary Artist (Vocals)
Paul Hornsby - Organ, Piano
Robert "Pops" Popwell - Bass
Richard Rome - String Arrangements
Johnny Sandlin - Drums
Jerry Williams, Jr. - Arranger, Composer, Piano, Producer

Doris Duke

1969 or 70