William Devaughn - Be Thankful For What You Got (50th Anniversary Edition)

Demon

£26.98

Format: LP
Catalogue No.: DEMREC1186X
Barcode: 5014797911710
Release Date: 26 Apr 2024
Genre: Soul

Released in March ’74, sold almost 2 million copies, reached the tip of the U.S. R&B charts and four on the Billboard Top 100 chart

Features the seminal ‘Be Thankful For What You’ve Got’ (Diamond in the back, sunroof top, diggin’ the scene with a gangster lean.’ as sampled by N.W.A, De La Soul, Outkast, Ludacris, Big Tymers, Rihanna, Hip Club Groove and L’Imperatrice

Backed by the cream of Philadelphia session groups MFSB (Norman Harris, Vince Montana, John Davis)

Re-reissued per popular demand, with newly mastered audio, and an obi strip containing fresh insights on Devaughn and his music

1 x 140g LP (Black Vinyl) w/ Obi Strip

• William DeVaughn’s 1974 masterpiece Be Thankful For What You Got is one of the most widely recognised soul releases of the twentieth century, a seminal session recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia with a who’s who of superb musical talent – from backing band MFSB to John Davis (of Monster Disco Orchestra fame).
• Born and raised in Washington D.C., DeVaughn had previously worked as a salaried government employee – a drafting technician. A singer in his spare time, DeVaughn wrote the tune ‘A Cadillac Don’t Come Easy’ – eventually re-written to ‘Be Thankful For What You Got’ in 1972, a song with a devotional, spiritual character which tenderly addressed ghetto sensibilities. Be Thankful For What You Got would go on to reach number 1 on the US Billboard R&B Charts and 4 in the US Billboard top 100, an ever popular song which has been endlessly sampled and covered, DeVaughn even revamping it in 1980 as a four-to-the-floor disco rendition.
• Featuring musicians from MFSB (Larry Washington – percussion, Norman Harris – Guitar, Bobby Eli – Guitar, Vince Montana – Vibraphone, among others) and recorded at the Philadelphia International Records main studio Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, P.A., the music contains that luxurious Philly sound signature; sweeping strings, galloping percussion and tight, soulful arrangements combine to beautiful extents. Blended with DeVaughn’s socially conscious and semi-religious lyrical content, the music culminates in something very special; soulful, heartfelt and funky, underscored by a deep and effortless pocket and an enduring message of positivity and resilience in the face of social and financial hardships.
• Enjoy this limited edition 50th anniversary edition volume, limited to 1,000 copies featuring a fresh liner from Will Fox, and packaged in a newly printed sleeve with an obi and printed inner. Brought to you, with SOUL, from Demon Music Group.

Tracklisting:
A1) Give The Little Man A Great Big Hand
A2) We Are His Children
A3) Blood Is Thicker Than Water
A4) Kiss And Make Up
B1) Be Thankful For What You Got
B2) Sing A Love Song
B3) You Can Do It
B4) Something’s Being Done