Don Covay

The great journeyman soul singer and songwriter Don Covay is best known for his Mercy, Mercy which was a crucial song, early on, for The Rolling Stones. And many of his songs were covered many times throughout the years – but really the biggest gem was Chain of Fools being sent out into the world via Aretha Franklin. Covay had other hits himself but he settled into being a staff writer and working in publishing in the back-half of his career.

However, in the 1950s he was an R’n’B singer – and writer. And one of his first jobs was as the touring hype man and warm-up act for Little Richard. Billed as Pretty Boy, he would sing rock’n’roll pastiche and doo-wop balladry and some of the songs were glorified adverts for Little Richard and his style (Bip Bop Bip, Rockin’ The Mule) but there is so much in his early career and this anthology seeks to capture it all. Blues songs (I’m Coming Down With The Blues) and gorgeous soul ballads (Cause I Love You) from a writer, singer and musician that was also a hell of an entertainer – before he took a backseat into the songwriting and publishing roles.

Great band feels here too (See About Me) and infectious soul and R’n’B tunes (The Popeye Waddle) this is one to play over and again, teach your friends about Covay, bask in his sound, find new favourites every time, 29 songs to choose from here. It makes a wonderful soul soundtrack for any day of the week, any time of day; timeless good fun music.
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