MADELINE BELL — Doin' Things (1968-2004) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Madeline Bell's final '60s album was, like her first (1967's Bell's a Poppin'), made in Britain under the production supervision of John Franz. And, like its predecessor, it unsurprisingly bore some resemblance to Dusty Springfield's late-'60s work, both because Franz also worked with Springfield, and because Bell sang backup vocals on Springfield records. To stretch the comparison even further, Bell had a style similar to Springfield's (especially in her slight vibratos at the end of phrases), as well as a similar bent for varied soul-pop material. The overall impression was something of a Springfield with a closer connection to genuine black American soul -- a connection that was honest enough, given that Bell was an African-American singer. The songs on Doin' Things, however, weren't as strong as the better material that Springfield interpreted. Still, it's a solid enough record, whether you're coming at it from a sub-Springfield angle or not, and it did contain some obscure compositions by Van McCoy, Billy Vera, Georgie Fame ("For Your Pleasure"), and John Lennon and Paul McCartney ("Step Inside Love," which the Beatles never recorded, but which Cilla Black had previously done for a British hit single). Interestingly, John Paul Jones -- who would join Led Zeppelin shortly afterward, and plays bass as a session musician on the album -- wrote one of the songs, "Hold It," as well as co-writing two others with Bell. [The 2004 CD reissue on RPM, in addition to including thorough historical liner notes, also adds six bonus tracks from 1968-1969 singles, among them the Bell-Springfield composition "Go Ahead On."] Richie Unterberger   
Tracklist :
Goin' Things LP    
1    Help Yourself    2:27
Mark Barkan / Scott English / Jerry Ross
2    After All Is Said And Done    3:10
Ritchie Adams / Victoria Pike / Teddy Randazzo
3    Doin' Things Together With You    2:52
Van McCoy
4    It's Up To You    2:42
Billy Vera
5    For Your Pleasure    3:54
Clive Powell
6    To Sir With Love    3:06
Don Black / Mark London
7    Hold It    2:43
John Paul Jones
8    Step Inside Love    2:28
John Lennon / Paul McCartney
9    Gotta Get Away From Here    3:00
Madeline Bell
10    No Sun Today    2:54
Fred Anisfield / Scott English / James Last
11    Ain't Gonna Cry Any More    2:55
Madeline Bell
12    Finding You, Loving You    3:08
Clive Westlake
Singles    
13    Go Ahead On    2:41
Madeline Bell / Dusty Springfield
14    Thinkin'    2:33
Madeline Bell
15    Don't Give Your Love Away     3:22
Maury Laws
16    What'm I Supposed To Do    2:10
Madeline Bell
17    We're So Much In Love    2:39
Van McCoy
18    How Much Do I Love You    2:48     
Madeline Bell
Credits :
Accompanied By – Arthur Greenslade (faixas: 1, 3, 4, 6, 13 to 15), Derek Wadsworth (faixas: 18), Ian Green (faixas: 5, 7, 8), Keith Mansfield (faixas: 2, 10, 12), Keith Roberts (faixas: 16, 17)
Composer, Vocals – Madeline Bell