The Bishop of Bath & Wells

Mary Wells - Bye Bye Baby
1961 M.Wells
Mary Wells - Honey Boy
1966 Holland - Dozier - Holland
Mary Wells - Oh Little Boy (What Did You Do To Me)
1964 E.Holland - W.Stevenson

I really didn't know that much about Mary Wells apart from the song 'My Guy' and that she was the Motown princess until Diana Ross stole the show. I picked up a Greatest Hits LP for a pound at a car-boot and thought i'll dip my toe in and see what's what. Bloody Hell. Bloody Hell. I don't know if it's just her voice, don't know what it is, don't know much at all really but at the moment I just can't get enough of Mary Wells. I've listened to 'Oh Little Boy (What Did You Do To Me)' pretty much every day for about three weeks now and when the falsetto kicks in towards the end the hairs on the back of my neck stand up every time. Just Ace! Anyway I have spent nary an hour on the internet learning facts, searching discographies and such like and here are three things that you should know about Mary Wells.

- Mary was The Beatles favorite American singer and they called her 'their sweetheart'. They invited her to tour with them throughout the UK, which she did in 1964. She repaid the compliment by recording the 'Holy Grail' of Wells LPs 'Love Songs To The Beatles'. Check out the distorto 'Wooos' towards the end of the 'Bye Bye Baby' track posted here, sound familiar? They should've been called The Magpies.

- Mary married Cecil Womack brother of Bobby in 1970 (divorcing in 1977) and then later married Curtis Womack in the early 80's. Again Bobby's brother. Bobby however married Sam Cooke's widow Barabra. Small world.

- Mary recorded stacks of songs with hand-claps and as such can do no wrong in my ears. 'Honey Boy' posted here today is probably my favourite featuring 'The Handclaps'... Honey Boy was also recorded by Diana Ross but it's not half as good as Mary's version.

Perhaps visit these links then, read some facts, look at pictures, buy CDs. Go on. By the way the 'claps' in 'Honey Boy' are for Stevie.

Visit - Mary Wells Official Site
Visit - Biog
Visit - Biog II
Visit - Mary Wells reviews
Visit - Mary Wells Wikipedia
Buy - Mary Wells Ultimate Collection
Buy - Mary Wells Early Motown