Cult Classic: Candi Staton-I'm Just A Prisoner.
By 1968, Candi Staton was twenty-eight, and still hadn't embarked upon a solo career. However, that would soon change when Clarence Carter introduced her to Rick Hall. He would transform the former gospel singer's fortunes.
Sixteen R&B hit singles were recorded at Rick Hall's Fame Studios, in Muscle Shoals, including covers of Stand By Your Man and In The Ghetto. This led to Staton being crowned the First Lady of Southern Soul. By then, she had come a long way.
Canzetta Maria Staton was born in Hanceville, Alabama, on March '13th', 1940. Growing up, things weren't easy for the Staton sisters. Their father was an alcoholic and gambler, and things got so bad that her mother left him. By then, their brother had moved to Cleveland and sent for his sisters. This was where they got their big break.
Having moved to Cleveland, Canzetta and her younger sister Maggie, met Bishop Jewell. He was amazed by the elder sister's vocal talents and soon, the two sisters were paired with Naomi Harrison in the Jewell Gospel Trio. That was when Canzetta became Candi Staton.
Soon, the Jewell Gospel Trio were performing on the traditional gospel circuit during the mid-fifties, accompanying some of the biggest names. With Staton as lead singer they accompanied everyone from CL Franklin to Mahalia Jackson and The Soul Stirrers. This however, was just part of the story.
Between 1953 and 1963, the Jewell Gospel Trio recorded for various labels, including Nashbro, Apollo and Savoy Records. However, when Staton was seventeen, she left the Trio after five years as lead singer.
After leaving the Trio, Staton returned home. That was where she met her first husband. Sadly, he was abusive and the pair parted.
Staton was singing in Birmingham, Alabama, when one of the city's top DJs heard her. He introduced her to someone from the Unity label who was looking for a female vocalist. The label released the single Upper Hand, which was the future First Lady of Southern Soul's debut single.
After releasing Upper Hand, Staton's brother took her to a club which Carter frequented. The pair met in the club. It was a fortuitous meeting.
Carter bought Staton out of her contract with Unity. He then introduced her to Rick Hall, the owner of the Fame label and legendary Fame Studios. Soon, the Fame label had a new addition to its roster.
This was Staton, who in a few short years would be crowned the First Lady of Southern Soul. The day she signed for Fame, Hall agreed a distribution deal with Capitol Records. Lady Luck was smiling on Staton, and would continue to do so.
George Jackson had cowritten I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart (Than A Young Man's Fool) with Carter and Raymond Moore. Originally, he had hoped Aretha Franklin would record the song. However, when he was unable to make contact with her, he gave the song to Candi Staton.
She had walked into the Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals and George Jackson presented her with the song. That night, Staton recorded I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart (Than A Young Man's Fool), Never In Public and For You with Hall taking charge of production. One of the songs would become her debut single for Fame.
I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart (Than A Young Man's Fool) was chosen, with For You on the B-Side. When it was released in 1969, the single reached number forty-six in the US Billboard 100 and nine in the US R&B charts. Across the border in Canada, the single reached number fifty-one. This was just the start of the rise and rise of Staton.
For the followup, I'm Just a Prisoner (Of Your Good Lovin') a Jackson and Edward Harris composition was chosen. On the flip side was Heart On A String. The single was released later in 1969, and reached number fifty-six in the US Billboard 100 and thirteen in the US R&B charts. In Canada, the single stalled at seventy-four. However, in America, Staton's star was in the ascendancy.
Never In Public was released later in 1969, and became Staton's third single. It didn't replicate the success of her previous singles. Despite this, a decision was made to record what would become her debut album I'm Just A Prisoner.
Recording of I'm Just A Prisoner took place at Fame Studios, in Muscle Shoals. Accompanying Staton were the Fame Gang, while Hall produced the album. Five new tracks were recorded and added to I'm Just a Prisoner (Of Your Good Lovin'), I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart (Than A Young Man's Fool), Evidence, You Don't Love Me No More and Sweet Feeling which had been released as singles and B-Sides. With the new tracks recorded, the release was scheduled for later in 1970.
I'm Just A Prisoner was released to plaudits and praise in 1970. Despite this, the album failed to chart. Three further singles were released. Sweet Feeling was the most successful, reaching number sixty in the US Billboard 100 and five in the US R&B charts. This was Staton's most successful R&B single in America. However, in Canada, the single only reached number seventy-eight.
Later in 1970, Evidence, which was Staton's fifth single for Fame gave her another R&B hit in America. She had come a long way since signing to Hall's Fame Records.
Fifty-three years after Staton released I'm Just A Prisoner, her debut album remains a timeless classic. She breathes life, meaning and emotion into the lyrics into songs like Someone You Use, I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart (Than A Young Man's Fool), You Don't Love Me No More, That's How Strong My Love Is and I'm Just a Prisoner (Of Your Good Lovin'). It sounds as if she's lived, experienced and survived the lyrics on songs about love and betrayal. In others, it's as if Staton has survived the hurt, has been treated badly and been used by men who didn't deserve her love. She's a strong woman, a survivor, who bares her soul on I'm Just A Prisoner, a powerful, poignant, beautiful and moving album from the future First Lady of Southern Soul, Candi Staton.
Cult Classic: Candi Staton-I'm Just A Prisoner.
