| Presenting Cissy Houston | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 1970 | |||
| Recorded | 1969 | |||
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| Length | 1:09:03 | |||
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| Cissy Houston chronology | ||||
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| United States release | ||||
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| Singles from Presenting Cissy Houston | ||||
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Presenting Cissy Houston is the debut album by American soul singer/backing vocalist and former Sweet Inspirations lead singer Cissy Houston,originally released on Major Minor Records in 1970 in the United Kingdom. [2] Her contract was sold to Janus Records the same year. [3] They released the album in the United States as Cissy Houston in 1970. [4] The 2012 CD re-release on Cherry Red Records incorporates bonus tracks from later recordings. [5]
The album features a pop/soul cover version of "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself",written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David,as well as covers of Bobby Darin's "I'll Be There" (which became a top 20 R&B hit for her),Melanie's "Any Guy",Sam &Dave's "When Something Is Wrong with My Baby",the Ronettes' "Be My Baby" (at No. 31 on the R&B chart),and the Beatles' "The Long and Winding Road". The CD bonus tracks include her 1972 version of "Midnight Train to Georgia",which was later covered with huge success by Gladys Knight &the Pips.
| Review scores | |
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| Source | Rating |
| Christgau's Record Guide | C [6] |
In the All Music Guide to Soul book,critic Richie Unterberger opines that "although the material consisted of fairly well-worn soul,rock,and pop tunes,the state-of-the-art arrangements and gospel-ish vocals made them sound fresh." [3]
Singles
| Year | Title | US Pop | US R&B |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | "I'll Be There" | 54 | 20 |
| 1971 | "Be My Baby" | 92 | 31 |