Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Tagged: Amazing Rhythm Aces

Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)

First recorded by Benny Spellman (R&B #28 1962).
Other hit versions by The O’Jays (US #48/R&B #28/CAN #19 1965), The Amazing Rhythm Aces (US #104/C&W #88 1979).
Also recorded by Ringo Starr (1978).

From the wiki: “‘Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)’ was first recorded by New Orleans singer Benny Spellman in 1962 (with backing vocals done by Imperial Records label mates Irma Thomas (‘Time Is On My Side‘) and Willie Harper). The song was written by Allen Toussaint under the pseudonym ‘Naomi Neville’.”

Third Rate Romance

First recorded by Jesse Winchester (1974).
Hit versions by The Amazing Rhythm Aces (US #14/C&W #1/CAN #1 1975), Sammy Kershaw (US #105/C&W #2 1994).

From the wiki: “American expatriate Jesse Winchester was known principally as a songwriter (‘Yankee Lady’, ‘New Tennessee Waltz’). His draft resister status meant he was unable to tour in the US from 1967-1977, and it was while working in Montreal, Canada, in 1972, Winchester formed his band Jesse Winchester and The Rhythm Aces.

“In 1974, Russell Smith was recruited to join the Rhythm Aces, traveling to Montreal to assist in the recording of Winchester’s Learn to Love It album at Studio Six. Two of the songs on that album were Smith’s, including ‘Third Rate Romance’. Later, Smith and two of Winchester’s sidemen, Jeff Davis and David McDade, would branch out to form The Amazing Rhythm Aces.