Bill Brandon born 7 November 1943

Bill Brandon (born October 7, 1943) is one of Southern Soul’s most criminally underrated and unsung heroes, who cut some of the genre’s finest singles for a host of labels in the late ’60s and early ’70s. His full-throttled, raw vocal makes all of them essential listening, especially considering that he recorded many of these gems in Muscle Shoals. 

He was born in Huntsville, Alabama and was raised in a very musical environment. Brandon started his career with Quin Ivy’s production company in 1967 and recorded a southern soul classic, "Self Preservation" that Percy Sledge covered. A second highly sought after single, "Rainbow Road", issued in 1968 was released as a one off by Tower Records It was written about and for Arthur Alexander (You Better Move On #24 Pop, 1962) who ended up recording it four years later but Brandon's recording remains the definitive version. The B side “You’ve Got That Something Wonderful” is a cracking 1960s dance track propelled by driving horns and intricate piano. 

                                  

After Quin Ivy stopped issuing records Brandon recorded five high quality singles for Clinton Moon’s Moonsong label in the then thriving soul city of Birmingham, Alabama, under the production of genius Sam Dees and Frederick “Witness” Knight.  Of these the gospel drenched I’m A Believer Now and his anguished version of the stalwart It’s All Wrong are probably the best.  

The rhythm track for the former was cut at MSS and the class shows. A brilliant one-off Tag Tag for the Nashville based Piedmont label followed in 1976. This lovely melodic ballad with it’s lovely Dees lyric and subtle arrangement was recorded as part of his Moonsong material and totally overshadows the rather overblown but considerably more famous “Streets Got My Lady”. 

Brandon then signed for producers Moses Dillard and Jesse Boyce who had a licence deal with Prelude.  They took Brandon back to Muscle Shoals to the Wishbone studios where he cut three 45s for the New York label and his only LP to date.  By this time, even the southern soul production values were much smoother and more fully orchestrated: in keeping with the times Brandon’s vocals are somewhat restrained and throttled back, however some good sides appeared, particularly “Can’t We Just Sit Down” (Prelude 71098) and “Special Occasion” (71105).  The album gives more than a nod to the disco scene but is well worth searching out.  The last Prelude single came out in 1978 and since then no further Brandon recordings have surfaced. 

He left the music business behind in 1987 and took up truck driving and like Rick Nelson's "Garden Party" with absolutely no regrets. Reports about him confirm that he is still singing for the congregation of a church in Harvest, Alabama to this day. 

( Edited from Sir Shambling & Discogs)