Jimmy “Preacher” Ellis – I’m Gonna Do It By Myself b/w Go Head On – Record Shack AT 7″

Reissue of a mega-classic killer RnB/Northern ‘Heavy Soul’ mover which gives every deejay set so much punch that even people who’ve never danced before in their lifes HAVE to rush to the dancefloor in total excitement!!

LIMITED EDITION OF 500 COPIES! / ANOTHER RECORD SHACK REALDEAL SIXTIES SOUL 45SMASH!! / THE 6Ts SOUL SOUND FOR TODAY’S CLUBS!!

DJ Burn Hard’s liner notes written in Sydney, September 2013

With its heavy, insistent beat the bona fide dancer “I’m Gonna Do It By Myself” is a classical example of a typical R&B track that turned into a fixture on the floors of the Northern Soul scene. Originally released on the Shreveport, Louisiana-based Jewel label in 1966 and now available on a high-quality re-issue on Record Shack records, this 45 shines through its snappy tempo and Jimmy ‘Preacher’ Ellie’s crystal clear vocal delivery.

Without a doubt this jewel in the crown of R&B grounded dancers will gain even more popularity through Record Shack’s new pressing.

Born in 1935 in Foreman, a rural farming community in Little River County in the Southern state of Arkansas, Jimmy Preacher Ellis had a long and diverse career. Like so many of his peers he started singing in church, where he and his brother both sang.

After moving to Seattle, Washington Jimmy Ellis came to the attention of Reverend F.F. Billups who recommended him to the local group The Traveling Four who where looking for a new baritone singer. After the quartet split and time in military service Ellis was back in Seattle by the late 50s, where he not only developed his substantial skills on the guitar but also formed the doo-wop group called The Centuries with fellow ex-Traveling Four members, Tony Harris and Billy Marshal.

By 1964 Jimmy Preacher Ellis was ready for a solo career and headed to Los Angeles in pursuit of a recording contract. It was there that he met Ferdinand ‘Fats’ Washington who already had gained an undisputed reputation as one of the finest R&B songwriters in the business who produced and wrote the R&B masterpiece on the Jewel label that Record Shack records was able to re-issue.

Ellis continued to work with Washington for several more years, recording several sides on the producer/songwriter’s own labels Movin’ and Ride until the late 60s when he teamed up with producer Mel Alexander, recording a number 45s for the Kris and Space labels well into the 70s.