The great feat of recording medias like vinyls or CDs is, I think, to remind us of less-known but wonderful people at any time. When they cut their own sides, they were likely only to imagine their more successful life, hardly to think they would be reappreciated after twenty or thirty years passed. I knew the name of Howard Tate for the first time when a radio program airplayed his tunes with the story of his life, and I deeply realized that those who are known to little made good gems. Born in Georgia and moved to and bred in Philadelphia in his infancy, he joined in a doo-wap group called the Gainors, which also had Garnet Mimms and a member of the Enchanters, and sang as a vocalist of the Bill Doggett band (known for his infectious signature hit Honky Tonk in the era of Elvis). And then he met Jerry Ragovoy who produced Garnet Mimms' Cry Baby. Jerry Ragovoy is a Philadelphia producer with a background of classic music, and had made east-coast R&B which led to the future soul music and which was paralleled with Burt Berns. The works themselves of Tate=Ragovoy made small impact on the chart, however, they were interpreted by famous ones in the rock scene. That's why Howard Tate was known to some little.
After yielding three albums Howard Tate retired from music business and got a steady job, but he fell in the depths with addicting himself to drugs and alcohol and the music business scene had not heard from him. However, one day he is said to receive 'revelation' and to become a pastor, helping the homeless or the addicted at his own church. I know some of the depressed have changed dramatically, though, it was the turning point for them to meet with someone or to find what they want to do. So I cannot understand clearly what is the matter such as 'revelation' about. Anyway, I guess they feel like being electrified through the body when they make mental recovery, and what it is depends on their various explanations. It is said that a radio DJ had been airing tunes from Howard Tate's album and searching for him, and a music man who had listened to the program happened to meet with Howard Tate, which lead to his return in almost thirty years. His comeback album "Rediscovered" is produced by his old 'buddy' Jerry Ragovoy. Those tunes are fine to be arranged as simply as soul of late '60s or early '70s, keeping the atmosphere of the time. Its most splendid gift is that Howard Tate's voice is kept without almost any decay. While it is because he had been singing at his own church, I think, it is also miraculous that his voice, soulful and occasionally-delivered remarkable falsetto, has not been broken, considering his temporarily unhealthy life. In additon to some inspiring tunes as a pastor, he also has a collaboration with Elvis Costello and a reading of Prince's Kiss. This is interesting for me.
Get It While You Can, listed below and re-recorded on "Rediscovered", is Howard Tate's signature song, also covered by Janis Joplin. I happened to find the original on the soundtrack "The Big Chill"'s deluxe edition, and I felt like getting the reissue of his Verve recording "Get It While You Can", which had been aired by the DJ who had been searching for him. This is out of print, however, I searched for the used one in Amazon.com and I was at a loss for it was too expensive. Despite it, I found and got its limited edition of Hip-O Select, which is specialized in mail order. Not to speak of the large-scaled ballad Get It While You Can, modelate hits like Ain't Nobody Home or Look at Granny Run Run (also covered by Ry Cooder) or Stop (famous for Jimi Hendrix) give me loose and tight and sophisticated rhythms of southern gospel soul, which feel like penetrating into my body comfortably. The funky coolness of Glad I Knew Better, the blusy and easy-to-dance How Come My Bulldog Don't Bark and so on. It is too unworthy of limited distribution. Why cannot be it placed in any store as usual? You can also hear this Jerry Ragovoy's exact production on the Atlantic album "Howard Tate", which has killer soul tunes of the early '70s including She's a Gurglar. The other album "Reaction", a production of '50s' R&B singer Lloyd Price and skillful musicians, gives me a sense of incongruity with its uptempo and uptown tone.
Howard Tate is pretty active after he was 'rediscovered'. On his "Live" recorded at the music festival stage in Denmark, he sings mainly old and new Jerry Ragovoy tunes and the blues like B. B. King. The autobiographical "A Portrait of Howard" reveals Howard's new phase mainly with songs of Randy Newman (I'll be Home , Louisiana 1927、Every Time It Rains) and tunes of Nick Lowe or Chrissie Hynde, and with guests like Lou Reed or jazz pianist Carla Bley: they are arranged by jazzy producer Steve Weisberg, who sometimes features orchestras. And then his new works "Blue Day" let us hear modern R&B arrangements by Jon Tiven, who recently comes to produce albums of R&B veterans, and let Howard looked like rejuvenated. In addition to prominent guest like Dan Penn, Steve Cropper or Felix Cavaliere of the Rascals (Jon also produced Steve and Felix's "Nudge It up a Notch"), I'm so astonished at Miss Beehive, which keeps Amy Winehouse in its sound and lyrics. It's quite interesting that it sounds like Howard talking to Amy as her senior of life having once been addicted to drugs.
Young Howard Tate had his hair up in a style like a chef's hat and his appearance with his guitar in his hands suggested his energy. Now he is dressed calmly but the frame of his glasses reminds me of his young days. After many turns and twists, his inherent nature doesn't change. I don't know whether the resurrection of his nature, that is, his singing was brought from miracles or his difficulty was settled naturally as the time goes by, but without question it is fine for me to be able to hear his good tracks.
In 2011, Amy Winehouse and Jerry Ragovoy passed away, and so did Howard Tate. Rest in Peace. (2005/05/30)(2009/01/26)(2011/12/12)