Throwback: Margie Joseph-How Do You Spell Love

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Margie Joseph is a soul singer from Mississippi who started her career on the Okeh label with the 1967 single, “Why Does A Man Have To Lie.” Two years later she signed a deal with the Stax records subsidiary label Volt. “One More Chance” would be the first of many underground soul jewels that cultivated her niche following. The 1970 release “Your Sweet Loving” was the beginning of her run of minor R&B hit songs. A cover of The Supremes’ “Stop! In The Name Of Love” came from her 1971 debut album, Margie Joseph Makes A New Impression and gave the project extra notice among the public. Phase II was her last recording for Volt and then she signed to Atlantic who released their first self-titled project with her in 1973. A cover of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together,” Dolly Parton’s “Touch Your Woman” and “How Do You Spell Love” were all appreciated by discerning soul fans. Sweet Surrender followed three years later and her 1974 version of Paul McCartney’s “My Love” sold more than anything else she recorded and entered the Top Ten R&B chart. Margie was released the next year and it is considered the apex of her creative powers because of the singles, “Words (Are Impossible),” “I Can’t Move No Mountains” and “Stay Still.” A 1976 meeting with the group Blue Magic lead to a collaboration on their 13 Blue Magic Lane album called “What’s Come Over Me.” Motown legend Lamont Dozier produced her 1976 Hear the Words, Feel the Feeling album for Atlantic subsidiary Cotillion. She recorded one more album for Atlantic, the Johnny Bristol-produced Feeling My Way before her contract ended. Philly legend Dexter Wansel worked with her on an album for the WMOT label but the project was shelved after the record company went out of business. “Knockout” for the indie label H.C.R.C. in 1982 was her last bit of a commercial presence on the R&B charts. Narada Michael Walden produced her last secular album, Ready For The Night in 1982 for the Cotillion imprint. A 2006 gospel project titled Latter Rain is her most current recording.

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