Sugar Pie DeSanto

September 20, 2009 11:21 AM

Sugar Pie DeSanto says, "I like to sing blues, R&B, and pop and I think I do them pretty well".

Her R&B recordings for Chess Records - including "Soulful Dress" and her duet with Etta James "In The Basement" - can be found here. And yes, she's still got it.

posted by Joe Beese (13 comments total)

Great singing with Johnny Otis and his band! Thanks for the clip. Like a lot of older singers, though, she relies a lot on a strong vibrato component in her many slow songs, which is not particularly to my taste in songsters.
posted by kozad at 11:48 AM on September 20, 2009

She's great, and really underrated. But one must plug "Go Go Power - The Complete Chess Singles 1961-1965," which was issued by the always-delightful Ace Records this spring, and is the single best CD of her classic material. To quote from the label's website:

There was a CD of Sugar Pie's Chess recordings released 10 years ago, but that set comprised just 12 cuts and is now deleted. Our 24-tracker comprises all of her Chess singles, including a UK-only gem, three classic duets with Etta James and a great previously unissued track. Many of the selections have never been released outside the USA before or are reissued here for the first time ever.

Crucial stuff!
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 11:59 AM on September 20, 2009 [1 favorite]

I didn't know Metafilter knew how to do The Whoo-Pee. Thanks for the post!
posted by stachemaster at 12:27 PM on September 20, 2009

She followed up Soulful Dress with Slip-In Mules, making for her own mini-genre of fashion funk.
posted by bonefish at 1:00 PM on September 20, 2009 [1 favorite]

"Don't you stop this song right now..."

Fuck yeah.
posted by dubitable at 3:10 PM on September 20, 2009

No surprise, she's Filipino.
posted by Ted Walther at 3:56 PM on September 20, 2009

How can you not love someone who's name is Sugar Pie Desanto? Instant favorite.

"Hey, LT - who's that you got goin' on that there iPod toDAY?"

"This right here? This right here, this is Sugar Pie Desanto!"

"Well, dog my cats!"
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 4:08 PM on September 20, 2009

Sugar Pie Desanto sounds like someone Sailor and Lula would listen to.
posted by Benjamin Nushmutt at 4:11 PM on September 20, 2009

never heard of her before. She's great! Thanks Joe!
posted by DesbaratsDays at 4:23 PM on September 20, 2009

ooh, Sugar Pie Desanto! I just dragged out some old Northern Soul compilations the other day and listened to "Do I Make Myself Clear" -- great stuff! Nice post -- thanks.
posted by scody at 5:41 PM on September 20, 2009

Living in the Bay Area I've seen her mentioned in the paper every now and then (sadly, most recently due to this) but I had never heard her music before. Now I am kicking myself for having missed out all these years between listening to these tracks. Dang she was hot!
posted by smartyboots at 8:02 PM on September 20, 2009

Thank you Joe Beese, I had never seen her perform, only heard her 'fashion funk' as bonefish so appropriately dubbed it. She is the get dressed for a party-Queen.
posted by dabitch at 12:23 AM on September 21, 2009

Oh, "Do I Make Myself Clear" (a duet with Etta James) is one of the best records of all time. I saw her a few years ago at the Boom Boom Room, where she danced along the bar in a little glittery dress. She has some seriously sexy moxie.
posted by vickyverky at 2:01 PM on September 21, 2009