BABY WASHINGTON, "DEEP DOWN LOVE" C/W "YOUR MOMMA KNOWS WHAT'S RIGHT," NEPTUNE 116 (REL. 5/1960)

Jeanette “Baby” Washington never disappoints. This 1960 Neptune Records single got no publicity—a pity, since it’s an excellent release and some of her other records for the label did well when promoted. Someone slipped up!

A-side “Deep Down Love” was penned by Eddie Curtis, a veteran r&b composer and studio man whose songs reached a variety of artists, from Black vocal group The Clovers (“Lovey Dovey”) to mainstream pop crooner Eddie Fisher (“Song of the Dreamer”). He also wrote Johnny Oliver’s sublime “Lemonade Baby,” which has been played on the podcast; didja know you can search for song titles in each podcast? We’ve made it as easy as possible for you. Check ‘em out!)

This is a gospel-infused mid-tempo item with a heartfelt vocal by versatile Baby; she uses the lower regions of her able voice to fine effect. Bluesy strings and a rhythmic vocal chorus, buried enough in the mix to be more ambient than intrusive, make this a first-rate entry in Washington’s q.v. Had the label lifted one finger to promote the release, it might have charted. I’m sure it got some jukebox and radio action, given the performer’s rising star, but it coulda used a little more help. Hindsight is golden but frustrating.

Teenage frustration rears its sullen head with “Your Momma Knows What’s Right,” penned by Ernest Tucker, whose wild rocker “Can She Give You Fever?,” was played here back in the Facebook days. Washington plays the part of a nagging, insistent matriarch who’s bent on the enforcement of her daughter’s behavior.

If any activity brings potential joy, Momma’s agin’ it, and Washington captures the character’s self-righteous but down-home tone with perfection. Another voice intones the dismayed “yes ma’am” responses to Momma’s reprimands. It plays less like a Coasters novelty than a grim slice of life. There’s enough of a beat for dancing, but it’s heavy material for 1960. Momma means well, but she’s not hep to the jive, and may never be.

Her daughter awaits her emancipation into the adult world, when Momma’s voice will be heard at a remove and the young woman is free to experience the trial and error (and success) of navigating her own life. There are many r&b songs with this theme, but this one has a gravity that teens might still relate to; it’s a fascinating moment in Baby’s catalog.

We’ll hear from Baby Washington again ere long.

Tomorrow: UK protest/social commentary songwriter Jonathan King pens a very 1966 song for beat group Hedgehoppers' Anonymous. Coupled with a love song with a folk-rock bent, this London 45 typifies its volatile year.