Mamie Galore "It Ain't Necessary" 45 (St. Lawrence Records, 1966)

Where do I begin on one of my favorite 45s of all time? Well, first off you can look at the label and I'm sure your mind (if you don't already drool at the sight of it) can put together why this is sooooo good. Co-written by Jerry Butler, a mega-star (especially in chicago!), produced by Monk Higgins, a man of considerable experience (who would chart the same year with Who-Dun-It?- a record I'll have to post later) and on a small Chicago label at the height of independent labels making amazing records. Born Mamie Davis, she cut her teeth as a singer in the backing band for Ike and Tina for a year then jumped on board the Little Milton train, singing with him for a few years before ending up in Chicago. It was here she changed her name on her first record, also on St. Lawrence, the bond/spy-craze inspired "Special Agent 34-24-38." Though a sort of gimmick record it still holds water if you run across it out there. Her second record, the one we are psyched about here today, "It Ain't Necessary" was a much bigger deal locally (and I'd say historically). A raucous number, it brings the smooth tambourine driven soul that you'd expect out of detroit or chicago but Mamie, drawing on her years pushing the limits with Ike, Tina and Little Milton adds an unmistakable and absolutely beautiful hard edge to the song making the lyrics "you don't have to climb/ no mountain/it ain't necessary" feel absolutely triumphant with the lyric-less refrain of "woo hoo" bordering on the ecstatic. This is a record that is an absolute mover, both emotionally and on the dance floor. Only down side is the stunning emptiness to her discography following this monster record.