Sugar Pie DeSanto - 'Go Go Power: The Complete Chess Singles 1961-1966'

 

The Forgotten Queen of Chess Records

Born Umpeylia Marsema Balinton of Filipino and African-American parentage, she was dubbed "Little Miss Sugar Pie" by the iconic hipster and bandleader, Johnny Otis, who signed her to her first professional contract in 1954.

Her first hit record, "I Want to Know" was in 1959, released on the Veltone label and produced by the Godfather of Oakland Blues, Bob Geddins, Sr.  "I Want to Know" rose to Number 3 on the Billboard charts, springboarding Sugar Pie into a lucrative contract with Chess Records.  At that time, Chess Records’ artists included Etta James, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, and Bo Diddley.  During her tenure at Chess Records, she became the most prolific and highest paid writer in their organization.

Her songbook contains more than 100 compositions, which have been recorded by the likes of Minnie Riperton, Billy Stewart, Fontella Bass, The Whispers, Little Milton, The Dells, and Jesse James.  Also while at Chess Records, Sugar Pie recorded three historic duets with Etta James, "In the Basement" "Somewhere Down The Line"and "Do I Make Myself Clear", the latter song was featured in the 1999 movie, “The Hurricane.”

Sugar Pie's career spans six decades, and awards include:
"Best Blues Performer (Female) 1997"—Real Blues Magazine.
"Legendary Artist/Songwriter 1998"—Blues/Soul Summit Conference.
"Outstanding Blues Artist 1999"—Bammies Regional Award.
"In Recognition of Artistry 2000"—Panama Awards.

Judging from her name and looks, you might think Sugar Pie is a "Minnie Mouse" type of girl singer, but nothing could be further from the truth.  Not unlike Howlin' Wolf and her best friend, Etta James, Sugar Pie is a force of nature with a B-I-G booming, powerhouse of a voice.

Today's freeload, 'Go Go Power: The Complete Chess Singles 1961-1966', is truly rocking.  Sugar Pie reminds me of Tina Turner, when she was with Ike (before she became a strictly commercial MTV darling).  But Sugar Pie has a style all her own with better clarity than Tina especially on some of the slower type ballads on this set like "Ask Me," "Crazy Lovin'," "I Love You So Much", "Love Me Tonight," "Never Love A Stranger," and "Somewhere Down The Line" (one of three duets with Etta James).  The rest of the tracks are funky, with infectious beats, and explosive, and I know for a fact, Brian, Mick and Keef were fans of and inspired by Sugar Pie.

Ace Records did a fantastic job remastering the songs on this 2009 release, which all sound as though they were recorded last week (why Chess Records can't do this is beyond me), and there's a booklet (included in the freeload) with pictures of Sugar in action and wonderful liner notes by Mick Patrick that tells you all about Sugar, her career and her life.

For the freeload, what's your favorite kind of pie?