GARNETT MIMMS, "LOOK AWAY" C/W "ONE WOMAN MAN," UNITED ARTISTS UA 773 (REL. 10/1964)

I'm astonished that we've only featured the great Garnett Mimms once before on this daily feature. Silly us! To atone, we end our rather eccentric tour of 1964 music with this powerful soul statement which unites three key figures in New York music--Jerry Ragovoy, Jerome "Doc" Pomus and Bert Berns. Add to them Peter Andreoli and Vinny Poncia and arranger Garry Sherman, and you have a staggering amount of talent for one mere single.

Mimms hit big with his 1963 classic "Cry Baby," but all his United Artists 45s are well worth hearing. This one is among the more unusual pairings, with its A-side an unique specimen of mariachi soul. "Look Away," Co-composed by 'Norman Reade' and "Bert Russell' (Ragovoy and Berns), it begins with a slinky piano riff and a bluesy melody. Mimms' voice impressed from its first syllable, and he relays this sad urban story of a spurned lover encountering his ex on the street and doing his best to keep his Sh!t together and avert his gaze.

Worse, she's with a new beau! I've lived this scenario more than once, so I can relate. With the aid of a soul chorus (The Sweet Inspirations, perhaps?) Garnett will get through this awkward scene, but not without a few tears at its expense.

All solid stuff, relayed with passion and power...but then there's the out-of-nowhere mariachi horn solo! To our relief, this odd choice works, and further sketches the scene to take place in a rougher side of town. Gut-string guitar extends this vibe, as does the insistent triangle that's a vital part of so many made-in-NYC soul classics.

"Look Away" is one of Mimms' triumphs, and failed to become a hit due to it being 1964. It remains among my favorites of his, though all the UA material is great. Cash Box rated it high, as seen in the vintage review below:

"One Woman Man" was penned by Doc Pomus, who'd adopted Poncia and Anders, as they'd soon be known, after his first significant musical partner, Mort Shuman, moved to Paris and became an ardent disciple of Jacques Brel.

Gospel-soul to its core, from the churchy first outburst of piano, this is a classic piece of deep testifyin'. This sounds like a Motown song until the minor-key chords that decorate its chorus; then it anticipates Carole King and Gerry Goffin's "A Natural Woman." 

Here's a perfect soul recording. Wouldn't change one second of it. I'll hush now, so you can bathe in its divine beauty.

We hope you've enjoyed this visit in 1964. We barely grazed its surface and made some unusual choices, but we hope it's introduced you to some worthy obscurities. And we won't be so mum with Mimms in the future!

Tomorrow: weird, moody teen sounds of Jim and Juma, via a scarce 1961 Jerden Records release.