THE SPLENDID BOHEMIANS PRESENT: THE SUNNY SIDE OF MY STREET with THE "MIGHTY MEZ" - SONGS TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD - EPISODE #35: TO SIR, WITH LOVE by LULU (1967, EPIC)

Lulu’s husky croon is unmistakeable. The Scottish shouter is a UK national treasure, and still gorgeous. Picking up the torch from Brenda Lee, and passing it to Miley Cyrus, Lulu was, (along with Dusty Springfield), foundational to the world-wide popularization of white, female voiced R&B. Her 1964 cover of The Isley Brother’s Shout, at the age of 15 cemented her vocal persuasiveness, and To Sir, With Love catapulted her into the dreams of millions of devotional worshippers like me. James Clavell’s film about a black teacher thrown into the deep end of London’s inner city school system, was part of Sidney Poitier’s cinematic triple crown of 1967, following: In the Heat of the Night (for which he won the academy award), and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? Everything about the project was poised for success, and the title song didn’t disappoint - driving to number 1 as it cascaded out of every car radio across America. I was 13 when I saw the film, and it made a big impression on me. Of course, Sidney Poitier’s journey from awkward novice to mentor was totally convincing (as were all his performances? - but it was Lulu’s voice that has stayed with me through the years. And, with each passing year it glows a little bit warmer.