Severn Records
Set to Release Lou Pride’s Final Album, Ain’t No More Love In This House,
on October 15
Late Soul/Blues
Singer Leaves a Lasting Legacy on Powerful CD
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Severn Records announces an October 15
release date for Ain’t No More Love In This House,
the final album from the late soul/blues singer Lou Pride, who passed
away in June, 2012. Pride, who died in his hometown of Chicago of natural causes
while in hospice care, had just finished recording the tracks for what would
become his last album, and Ain’t No More Love In This House serves
as a lasting testament to his brilliantly soulful voice.
“It is
with great joy that we are releasing the final work of master soul-singer Lou
Pride,” writes Severn Records president David Earl in the new album’s liner
notes. “Not only was Lou an extraordinary talent, but he was also a generous
human being always willing to help out when he could. Lou never complained about
the fact that stardom and huge sales seemed to elude him throughout his career
and was appreciative of any help he could get. It was a genuine honor to
document his music and bring it to the world. Now that over a year has passed
since his untimely passing, I felt it appropriate to release his final album to
his loyal fans. Maybe as the years go by I will be able to listen as they will.
We’ll miss you, Lou.”
Over the course of many months into early 2012, Lou had been
recording the new album, and while his time on earth was to end soon thereafter,
his powerful soul-drenched voice remained strong throughout the sessions. The
proof is evident on the 11 tracks of Ain’t No More Love In This
House, which features four Lou Pride originals, as well as his
distinctive takes on several cover songs, including an amazing version of the
Simply Red classic, “Holding Back the Years,” which closes the album and can
only be described as “transcendent.” It’s a fitting conclusion to a landmark
album that will leave an indelible legacy of the artist’s career.
Other remarkable performances appear on the new CD: “I Didn’t
Take Your Woman,” which echoes the original Ann Peebles classic sound on Hi
Records (with the genders reversed); Lou’s soulful version of “Never,” a song
recorded by several reggae singers; “I Gotta Move On Up,” previously done by
Luther Allison; and Lou’s sentimental, personal favorite, “Daddy Don’t You Walk
So Fast.”
Truly a labor of love and respect, Ain’t No More Love
In This House was produced by David Earl and Steve Gomes and
recorded/mixed at Severn Sound Studios in Annapolis, Maryland. The core band
backing Lou Pride on the sessions was Johnny Moeller (of the Fabulous
Thunderbirds) – guitar; Benjie Porecki – keyboards; Steve Gomes – bass; Robb
Stupka – drums; Mark Merella – percussion; and Earl Wilson – rhythm guitar. The
horns were arranged and conducted by Kenny Rittenhouse.
Severn Records released three prior CDs on Lou Pride:
Words of Caution in 2002 and Keep on Believing in
2005, as well as a compilation of some of his greatest early singles and
unreleased tracks, titled The Memphis/El Paso Sessions (1970-73).
That CD included a number of tracks recorded at Willie Mitchell’s famous Royal
Recording Studios in Memphis and featured him backed by the Hi Records house
band of Teenie Hodges (guitar) Charles Hodges (organ), Leroy Hodges (bass) and
Howard Grimes (drums), along with the Memphis Horns and Memphis Strings.
Although not as widely known as some of his contemporaries,
such as Bobby “Blue” Bland, Little Milton and Johnnie Taylor, Lou Pride’s talent
and soulfulness were the equal of any of those iconic singers. He was known for
his electrifying live shows and a vocal delivery that went from a whisper to a
commanding growl.
Born George Lou Pride on May 24, 1944 in Chicago, he grew up
on the Windy City’s north side and first experienced singing gospel music,
attending the Baptist Church pastored by Nat King Cole’s father. Watching a live
B.B. King performance converted Pride, however, and he was soon on his way
singing soul and blues on the Chitlin' Circuit throughout the South and Midwest.
His first acclaimed singles were recorded in the early ‘70s while living in El
Paso, Texas, and he soon relocated to New Mexico. He toured early on with such
artists as B.B. King, Clarence Carter, Betty Wright, Koko Taylor and Kool and
the Gang.
After returning home to Chicago, he was introduced to the
great Curtis Mayfield, who recorded him for his Curtom Records label. He later
recorded for a number of other labels, including several albums for Ichiban in
the ‘90s before hooking up with Severn Records at the turn of the
21st century.
