Presenting Cissy Houston | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 1970 | |||
Recorded | 1969 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 1:09:03 | |||
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Producer |
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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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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Christgau's Record Guide | C [2] |
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. [3] Her contract was sold to Janus Records the same year. [4] They released the album in the United States as Cissy Houston in 1970. [5] The 2012 CD re-release on Cherry Red Records incorporates bonus tracks from later recordings. [6]
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 #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.
Singles
Year | Title | US Pop | US R&B |
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1970 | "I'll Be There" | 54 | 20 |
1971 | "Be My Baby" | 92 | 31 |
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." [4]