The 1950s and 1960s produced a rash of singers trying to break into the music business and producers were eager to sign almost anyone who could sing in tune or close to it, look good and perhaps play an instrument. The public demand for pop music, the new rock and roll and most other forms of music was huge. There were many 'one hit wonders' and even more 'no hit wonders' who sank without trace. It was a tough old business.
Billie Laine (who was?) born in Trinidad came to the UK in the late 1950s to follow a musical career following some minor success in her home country. She was taken up by pianist Bill McGuffie, who provides the accompaniment here with his Quartet.
Billie was not destined for fame. She had a handful of roles in TV, made a forgettable single after this first ep recorded in 1961, and then just seemed to disappear around 1970.
She sings with a strong Trinidadian accent, the Quartet plays quite nicely behind her and she looks good on the sheepskin rug.
But it's not really surprising that she never made it.
Bill McGuffie - piano
unknown - guitar
unknown - bass
unknown - drums
Billie Laine - vocals
01 Gone With The Wind (Magidson, Wrubel) (2:41)
02 We'll Be Together Again (Fischer, Laine) (3:23)
03 Sometimes I'm Happy (Caesar, Youmans) (2:31)
04 Mood Indigo (Bigard, Ellington, Mills) (2:45)
Label: Philips BBE 12438
Recorded: 1961
Lineage: EP>FLAC
