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B.J. Thomas is an American singer best known for his hits of the 60s and 70s.
Young And In Love was B.J. Thomas' second album to be recorded at Chips Moman's American Sound Studio in Memphis, following the success he'd had with the hits "Eyes Of A New York Woman" and "Hooked On A Feeling", recorded there the previous year. It was another fantastic product of the studio, the production and arrangements arguably deserving just as much credit as Thomas himself, as well as the studio's experienced team of musicians (Reggie Young, Tommy Cogbill, Bobby Emmons, Spooner Oldham, Bobby Wood, Gene Chrisman, Johnny Christopher, Mike Leech and Glen Spreen). He was fast becoming their favorite singer to work with.
The album didn't have any massive hits like the last one, but it did generate a modest follow-up with "It's Only Love", like its predecessors written by Mark James. It got to #45 on the charts. Other songs on the album included a soaring cover of "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" (originally recorded by Dee Dee Warwick in 1966), Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man", and the Dan Penn/Spooner Oldham song "I Pray For Rain" (which the studio had already recorded with The Box Tops a couple of years before).
On My Way (1968) <|> Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head (1969)
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B.J. Thomas is an American singer best known for his hits of the 60s and 70s.
B.J. Thomas had scored his first hit in 1966 with a cover of Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" which reached the Top 10. Three albums and several lesser hits followed. In 1968 he went to record at Chips Moman's American Sound Studio in Memphis, and working with the studio's house songwriters and session musicians, who took an instant liking to him, his then-flagging recording career got a serious boost.
Two hits came out of the partnership in 1968, both written by Mark James. The first was the brilliant "Eyes Of A New York Woman", featuring guitarist Reggie Young's electric sitar and Mike Leech's soaring string arrangement. It charted at #28. The second, again featuring the electric sitar, was "Hooked On A Feeling", which reached #5 and became one of Thomas' best-known songs. A full album followed, which showcased not only Thomas' superb vocals but the talents of the studio team as well (instrumental backing came from the core group of Reggie Young, keyboardists Spooner Oldham and Bobby Wood, bassist Tommy Cogbill and drummer Gene Chrisman, with Leech's strings adding some extra sheen throughout). As well as songs from the American Sound team (including Wayne Carson's "Sandman", which they had also recorded with The Box Tops earlier the same year), there were covers of The Doors' "Light My Fire" (following the José Feliciano hit arrangement from the same year), Ray Stevens' "Mr Businessman" and the country classic "Four Walls".
Sings For Lovers And Losers (1967) <|> Young And In Love (1969)
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B.J. Thomas is an American singer best known for his hits of the 60s and 70s.
Billy Joe Thomas was born in Oklahoma in 1942, but grew up in Texas. As a teenager he joined a band called The Triumphs, and through his success with them manged to get his solo career started. In 1966 his soulful cover of Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" became a hit on Scepter Records, getting to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. A follow-up single, "Mama", charted at #22. His first solo album, featuring both hits, was released the same year, presenting a mix of pop, soul and country styles. It included covers of Tom Jones' "It's Not Unusual" and Wilson Pickett's "The Midnight Hour".
|> Tomorrow Never Comes (1966)
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