- Cathy Saunders (aka Paula DePores, aka Paula Sapp) (RIP) --

  vocals

- The Candletts

Genre: soul

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Sweet and Gentle

Company: Bud's Records

Catalog: AW#14031
Year: 1977

Country/State: US

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 2

Price: $90.00

So when the only on-line references you can find are under a Japanese website devoted to high priced obscure soul and funk records, you know if you have something that's rare.   Add the fact this was released by the Album World tax scam conglomerate and you have a major curiosity on your hands.

Like a lot of tax scam releases, this album has an interesting and seemingly twisted history  In this case, in spite of the '70s looking cover photo, the album was a compilation of material spanning the early-'60s through the mid-'70s.   The interesting part is that there actually was a Cathy Saunders; aka Paula DePores, aka Paula Sapp.   Saunders started her musical career as a member of The Candletts who recorded a couple of late-'50s rock tunes for the Pasadena, California based Vita label:

- 1958's 'Everybody Loves To Rock & Roll' b/w 'Angel Love' (Vita catalog number V-179 XX)

- 1959's 'It's Misery' b/w 'My Only Love' (Vita catalog number V-182 XX)

Following The Candletts break-up Saunders-DePores-Sapp continued recording as a solo act, releasing a series of early-'60s sides for Edit/Tide:

- 1961's 'Sow a Little Love' b/w 'This Angry World' (Tide catalog number T-045-A)

- 1961's 'Don't Let 'em Bring You Down' b/w 'I'm Going Home' (Edit catalog number E-115-A)

- 1962's 'Making Believe' b/w 'Restless and Running Wild' (Edit catalog number 45-00-2000)

- 1962's 'I Said Johnny Be Good' b/w 'Stop That Lying' ' (Edit catalog 2002)

- 1964's 'The Heat Is On' b/w 'Tomorrow Is Another Day' (Tide catalog number T-45-00-2007  AA)

Released in 1977, 'Gentle and Warm"  most of the twelve tunes were culled from Saunders 1961-64 singles.  That gave the album a distinctively dated early-'60s feel.  By the way, that wasn't meant as a criticism since about a third to these tracks were very strong.  Based on these performances, Saunders didn't have the best voice you've ever heard.  Exemplified by material like 'Sabrina' she was certainly capable of belting it out, but her voice was frequently raw and unrefined; something analogous to a poor quality rock-gut whiskey.   Imagine a rawer version of Millie Jackson and you'd be in the right neighborhood.   Speculation on my part, but judging by the vocals, the album occasionally sounded like it featuring at least a couple of different singers.   The fact  most of the twelve songs were credited to Triune which was used by the song writing team of Saunders, Ruth Stratchborneo (aka Ruth Christie), and Orena Fulmer (aka Rena Wright) makes me wonder if Saunder's songwriting partners (who also recorded solo sides), might have been featured on a couple of the more obscure tunes.

By the way, the track listings shown on the back panel and inner sleeves were just plain wrong, with one title mis-spelled ('The Hest's On').   I believe the correct running order is shown below.

"Sweet and Gentle" track listing:

1.) Memory  (Triune) - 

'Memory' opened the album with a slow, Gospel-tinged, and slightly out-of-tune ballad.  Saunders (or whoever handled the lead vocal) didn't have the greatest voice; in fact  the she came off as shrill and abrasive (like sandpaper).  Still, the song wasn't without a low tech charm.   rating: *** stars

2.) Making Believe  (Triune) - 

As mentioned above, 'Making Believe' originally appeared as a 1964 single on Tide.   Again, the shrill vocals were an acquired taste, but the performer's enthusiasm and the cool percussion more than made up for the technical limitations.   rating: *** stars

3.) Restless  (Triune) - 

Originally released as a 1964 'B' side  under the title 'Restless (and Running Wild)', this one was a surprisingly spunky and enjoyable effort with the added advantage of having some amazing drums.  Wonder who played on the album.  one of the album highlights.   rating: **** stars

4.) Don't Let Them Bring You Down  (Triune) - 

One of the better "mom-knows-better" tunes that were popular in the early-'60s.  Think along the lines of 'Shop Around' and early Motown and you'll be in the right aural neighborhood.  

5.) Tomorrow Is Another Day  (Triune) -

Pretty ballad with a '50s-meets-Beach Boys vibe, though it displayed some of the album's nicer harmony vocals.  This was another 'B' side, appearing on 1964's 'The Heat Is On'.  rating: *** stars

6.) This Angry World  (Triune) - 

Piercing ballad with some over-the-top "you-stole-my-heart-and-crushed-my-soul" vocals.   Hyper-emotional, but because it was simply so intense, was actually kind of fun to hear.   Originally released as a 1961 'B' side, coupled with 'Sow a Little Love'.  rating: *** stars

(side 2)

1.) Pain and Remembrance  (Triune) - 

Always wondered why this one wasn't titles 'Pain and Remembering' since that was what Saunders sang throughout the lyric .  Bouncy, highly orchestrated soul tune; Saunders basically had to hold on for dear life in order to avoid being drown by the blazing horn arrangement.   rating: ** stars

2.) Sabrina  (Paula Sapp - Ruth Stratchborneo) - 

The album's most hardcore soul tune, 'Sabrina' also had a distinctively different sound - very mid-'60s hardcore soul with a Millie Jackson/Muscle Shoals/Fame feel.   Come to think about it, the story-teller format reminded me a bit of a Clarence Carter tune.   Nice.   rating: **** stars

3.) You Ain't No Good  (Triune) - 

I'm not sure I matched the right title here, but this was another nice soul tune with one of the album's best vocals and some tasty lead guitar. Probably circa '64.    rating: **** stars

4.) What's the Matter with You Love  (Triune) - 

One of the few non-45 tunes, this was another one where I'm guessing about the title.  Goofy little girl vocal that reminds me a bit of Cyndi Lauper (if she was able to sing a good soul tune).  Nice slinky sax solo on this one.   rating: *** stars

5.) The Heat's On  (Triune) - 

Although it was released as a 1964 single, 'The Heat's On' had a very '50s influenced sound.   I swear they stole the inspiration for this one from The Coaster's 'Yakety Yak'.      rating: ** stars

5.) Stop that Lying  (Triune) - 

Released as a 1962 single, this was another one where you had to wonder about the disconnect between the lyrics and the title; they never actually sang 'Step that Lying', rather the lyric was 'stop telling me lies'.   This was also a tune that sounded like a group effort rather than a solo track.   Regardless, bouncy and highly commercial pop-soul tine.  One of my favorites.  rating: **** stars

For anyone interested, Gary Myers (who recorded on several 1963-64 era singles for Tide),  posted a lengthy history of the Tide and Edit labels.   You can read the entire article at:    http://topshelfoldies.org/tide_edit_records.htm  

Mr. Myers also reached out to be with a bit of information:

Hi.
Forgive me if this is repeat info. I'm pretty sure I've emailed you before, but don't know if I covered this or not.
1. First of all, thx much for mentioning me & my Tide Record story. I have a very extensive related discog but it's not included on the topshelfoldies site.
2. I haven't heard anything from the C Saunders LP you've reviewed, so I can only comment on the titles. It's certainly possible that Saunders might have also cut the songs I'll mention & they were never released on 45, but:
3. "Memory" was on Tide 2010 by Gayle Star. It was a much better voc than anything I've heard by Saunders. (And I've actually found Gayle Star in more recent yrs).
4. "This Angry World" was released on 45 by all 3 Tide principals, Ruth, Cathy & Rena.
5. "The Pain Of Remembering" was the other side of the Gayle Star 45. To my surprise, I've recently learned of a cover by John & Herb on Dot 17182.
6. I've found no info for a release of "Sabrina" by any Tide artist. In fact, IIRC, I didn't even find it on their bmi listings.
7. I also find nothing for "You Ain't No Good".
8. "What's The Matter With Young Love" by on 45 by both Saunders & Alan Knight.

Believe it or not, I've only recently found a bit of info on a 1960 Tide artist. I believe I'd heard from the singer's daughter (via YouTube) & hoping for more info.

Gary Myers (April 2017)