WRAG Radio Raggedy

Monday, May 30, 2022

James Govan -- "These Arms of Mine" and "Ain't No Sunshine" with Boogie Blues Band

 I don't know what to say -- but this voice is so full of soul ... true old school soul that just can't be found any longer. I just stumbled upon this beautiful cover of Otis Redding's "These Arms of Mine." And again,  yours old Raggedy is surprised that she has not heard of James Govan before. Just goes to show, though, that there are quite a lot of under appreciated artists to be discovered. 

Unfortunately, James Govan is no longer with us. He died July 18, 2014. May he rest in peace. 

James Govan was known as "Little Otis" because his voice definitely resembled that of the great Otis Redding. And he actually did some wonderful covers of Otis Redding's famous songs. According to Discogs, George Jackson discovered James's talent in 1967 which opened the door to FAME recordings for him.

From 1989 through 2014, he performed at Beale Street in Memphis. Starting in1994, James Govan and The Boogies Blues Band and became stables at the Rum Boogie Cafe. 

"...They were named the Best House Band on Beale Street three times by the Beale Street Merchants Association, and they headlined the BSMA awards for the 2002–2004 Awards Ceremonies. 
The Mississippi-born, Memphis-bred soul singer and Beale Street fixture also performed numerous times at the Porretta Soul Festival, becoming a hugely popular figure among European audiences." (Discogs)



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