Chi Chi - IF YOU'RE GONNA LOVE ME (1966)

Описание: NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED - (Kapp 749) Out of New York, this stunning disc released on October 30, 1966 is the first of two classy singles by Chi Chi on the Kapp label. A dramatic vocal performance over a larger than life, 'Wall Of Sound' arrangement.
Chi Chi was no newcomer to the music biz by the time this Kapp disc was issued. She had enjoyed a hit record entitled, 'Memory Lane' on the Parkway label in 1963 with her group, the Hippies (formerly the Tams and the Stereos) and in 1964, she released one single on the mighty Red Bird label through Kama Sutra Productions as Chi Chi McCauley entitled, 'I Know He Loves Me'. By the time 1965 rolled around, Chi Chi made occasional appearances performing in the local clubs in and around Philadelphia but the majority of her time was spent raising three kids and tackling the responsibility of running a household.
Meanwhile in New York City, songwriters, Art Polhemus, Bob Wyld and Wayne Storm had just composed and produced a song entitled, 'If You're Gonna Love Me' that was issued as a single on Columbia records in the summer of 1965 with a vocalist named Regina. It was a jingle-jangly, folk meets Phil Spector type of pop arrangement that although quite good, it never made the charts.
Unbeknownst to Chi Chi, within a few months, this tune would be the song that would propel her musical creativity to the next level.
In February of 1966, another deal through Kama Sutra productions was made for a two record deal for her at Kapp records. The two A-sides were selected, 'If You're Gonna Love Me' and Just Let It Happen'.
By request of the record company, there were even professional photographs of her taken. Chi Chi remembers: ".....A professional photographer from New York took pictures of me and said I was the worst he ever had to pose! He had me hanging over Macy's roof in New York City in the winter!.....I never did see those photos."
As with 'I Know He Loves Me' and 'Memory Lane without You' at Red Bird, Chi Chi received metal acetates with basic instrumental tracks for 'If You're Gonna Love Me' and 'Just Let It Happen' to rehearse with before the recording session. (These rare and quite desired acetates Chi Chi still has).
The monumental day of that Kapp session, Chi Chi recalls: ".....I rehearsed from an instrumental version on a track at Kama Sutra. Another time later, we went into Columbia Studios in New York City the likes I had never seen before! I asked, "Who was coming?" The 'orchestra' was on two levels; kettle drums, strings, everything.....I swore Frank Sinatra himself was going to show up! I was told that it was for my session. I was so nervous! Anyway, we did the songs a few times and then I left. I later went back into the studio and with a headset recorded over the music. I think the background singers were added after or during the first session, and I did not see them when I was there."
Issued in April 1966, 'If You're Gonna Love Me' and 'Just Let It Happen' which was released in September that year, were first class, gargantuan, 'Wall Of Sound' productions that showcased Chi Chi's soulfully sultry vocal style as well as her powerful, emotively soaring voice. Although the best session players, producers, arrangers and background singers were on board for these amazing tracks, the singles failed to chart. A disappointing blow for all of those involved indeed but time certainly does change things. Original copies of these two discs have grown in popularity and stature over the years and now command nice sums of cash when they exchange hands.
Chi Chi remembers, ".....It's so nice to hear people describe how they feel about those songs. Me AND my children appreciate them more now. And do you know what? I never was given copies of my records. I always had to go out and purchase my own records! Can you believe it?"
Today, Chi Chi, also known as Carole Devine, is still out there looking and sounding as great as ever performing for fans in venues near her home in Pennsylvania.

Listen to Chi Chi's follow-up Kapp single, 'JUST LET IT HAPPEN':    • Chi Chi - JUST LET IT HAPPEN  (1966)  

Listen to the original 1965 version of 'IF YOU'RE GONNA LOVE ME' by Regina:    • Regina - IF YOU'RE GONNA LOVE ME  (1965)