Joe Simon -

Joe Simon (September 7, 1936 – December 13, 2021) was an American soul singer, songwriter, and producer from Simmesport, Louisiana. He recorded eighteen secular studio albums between 1966 and 1985 on Sound Stage 7, Spring, Posse, and Compleat, with major singles including “The Chokin’ Kind,” “Drowning in the Sea of Love,” “Power of Love,” and “Get Down, Get Down (Get on the Floor).”

Background

Joseph Simon was born on September 7, 1936, in Simmesport, Louisiana. Sources published during his lifetime often gave September 2, 1943, as his birth date. He first sang in the Baptist church led by his father.

The Simon family moved to Richmond, California, during the late fifties. Simon joined the Golden West Gospel Singers, who changed their name to the Golden Tones when they entered secular music. The group recorded “Little Island Girl” for Hush Records during 1959.

Hush owners Gary and Carla Thompson encouraged Simon to record as a solo singer. His early releases included “It’s a Miracle,” “Call My Name,” “The Pledge,” and “I Keep Remembering.” Vee-Jay issued “My Adorable One” during 1964, and the single reached No. 8 on the Cash Box R&B chart. “Let’s Do It Over” followed during 1965 and reached No. 13.

Vee-Jay folded during 1966. Nashville disc jockey John Richbourg became Simon’s manager and producer, then secured a Sound Stage 7 contract through Monument Records. The label introduced the partnership with “Teenager’s Prayer,” which reached No. 11 on the Billboard R&B chart.

Simon Pure Soul

Joe Simon released his debut album, Simon Pure Soul, in 1966 on Sound Stage 7.

Simon Pure Soul assembled his first Sound Stage 7 singles with interpretations of songs associated with Dee Clark (“Nobody but You”), Percy Sledge (“When a Man Loves a Woman”), Brenda Lee (“Too Many Rivers”), and The Ravens (“Miss You So”). Simon wrote “Travelin’ Man,” while Allen Orange contributed two titles from the Nashville sessions.

“Teenager’s Prayer” pleads across lush strings, with Simon turning youthful devotion into an urgent appeal. “My Special Prayer” settles into stately supplication under measured baritone phrasing. “Travelin’ Man” quickens through harmonica punctures and punchy horns. “Miss You So” trembles through nostalgia in a soft tenor, each held note sinking into regret. “Long Hot Summer” throbs beneath Simon’s measured delivery.

A1. “Too Many Teardrops” (2:33)
A2. “Travelin’ Man” (1:47)
A3. “Nobody but You” (2:10)
A4. “My Special Prayer” (2:40)
A5. “What Makes a Man Feel Good” (2:06)
A6. “That’s All I Want (From You)” (2:21)

B1. “Teenager’s Prayer” (2:28)
B2. “The Girl’s Alright with Me” (1:57)
B3. “Long Hot Summer” (2:08)
B4. “When a Man Loves a Woman” (2:57)
B5. “Miss You So” (2:26)
B6. “Too Many Rivers” (2:18)

Richbourg directed the Sound Stage 7 sessions after bringing Simon into the Monument organization.

Sound Stage 7 issued “Teenager’s Prayer” during 1966 (b/w “My Adorable One”). The single reached No. 66 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 11 on the R&B chart. “My Special Prayer” followed during 1967 and reached No. 87 pop and No. 17 R&B.

No Sad Songs

Joe Simon released his second album, No Sad Songs, in 1968 on Sound Stage 7.

No Sad Songs combines Simon and Orange material with songs by Buddy Mize, Ira Allen, Dan Penn, Wayne Carson Thompson, and Darryl Carter. The album retains “My Special Prayer,” “Long Hot Summer,” and “Travelin’ Man” from the debut while adding six titles from the subsequent single sequence.

“No Sad Songs” pounds through potent ensemble backing, with Simon punctuating each phrase in firm bursts. “I Worry About You” smolders through a smoky ballad as Simon croons each line with mellow restraint. “Nine Pound Steel” hammers through a prison lament as a struck-bottle clang marks each blow. “Can’t Find No Happiness” scorches a torch reading with dark baritone restraint. “Come On and Get It” struts through crisp syncopation and compact rhythmic accents.

A1. “(You Keep Me) Hangin’ On” (2:43)
A2. “My Special Prayer” (2:42)
A3. “Long Hot Summer” (2:17)
A4. “No Sad Songs” (2:18)
A5. “I Worry About You” (2:48)

B1. “Nine Pound Steel” (2:45)
B2. “Put Your Trust in Me (Depend on Me)” (1:58)
B3. “Travelin’ Man” (1:52)
B4. “In the Same Old Way” (2:27)
B5. “Can’t Find No Happiness” (2:36)
B6. “Come On and Get It” (2:16)

Richbourg continued as producer for the Nashville recordings.

Sound Stage 7 issued “Nine Pound Steel” during 1967, and the Penn–Thompson song reached No. 70 on the Hot 100 and No. 19 on the R&B chart. “No Sad Songs” reached No. 49 pop and No. 22 R&B during 1968. “(You Keep Me) Hangin’ On” followed with peaks of No. 25 pop and No. 11 R&B.

No Sad Songs reached No. 22 on the Billboard R&B albums chart.

Simon Sings

Joe Simon released his third album, Simon Sings, in 1968 on Sound Stage 7.

Simon Sings draws from country, pop, and rhythm-and-blues song catalogs. The selections include songs by Willie Nelson (“Funny How Time Slips Away”), Wilma Burgess (“Misty Blue”), and Nat King Cole (“Looking Back”).

“Message From Maria” unfurls through majestic strings as Simon traces its borderland narrative in a grave baritone. “It’s Too Late” belts an after-hours lament with emphatic projection. “Standing In the Safety Zone” testifies through church-rooted phrasing. “I’m Going Home” yearns through a restrained plea. “Twinkle” caresses a tender plea with intimate restraint.

A1. “Message from Maria” (3:20) – Al Reed
A2. “Misty Blue” (3:10) – Bob Montgomery
A3. “It’s Too Late” (2:44) – Johnson
A4. “Standing in the Safety Zone” (2:12) – Roscoe Robinson
A5. “In Reach of Your Arms” (2:57) – Jean Chapel

B1. “I’m Going Home” (2:27) – Bob Morrison
B2. “Twinkle” (2:32) – Larry Lee
B3. “Dreamin’” (2:30) – Barry De Vorzon, Ted Ellis
B4. “Looking Back” (2:24) – Brook Benton, Clyde Otis, Belford Hendricks
B5. “Funny How Time Slips Away” (3:48) – Willie Nelson
B6. “She Went a Little Bit Farther” (2:23) – Merle Kilgore, Mack Vickery

Richbourg produced the Sound Stage 7 sessions in Nashville.

“Message from Maria” reached No. 75 on the Hot 100 and No. 31 on the R&B chart. “Looking Back” followed with peaks of No. 70 pop and No. 42 R&B.

Simon Sings reached No. 41 on the Billboard R&B albums chart.

The Chokin’ Kind

Joe Simon released his fourth album, The Chokin’ Kind, in 1969 on Sound Stage 7.

The Chokin’ Kind contains three Harlan Howard songs alongside material by Jimmy Webb, Bobby Russell, Otis Redding, Steve Cropper, and Fred Parris. Simon and Orange co-wrote “Don’t Let Me Lose the Feeling.”

“The Chokin’ Kind” smolders over nimble bass motion while compact horns mark opening bars and chorus returns.

A1. “Baby, Don’t Be Looking in My Mind” (2:45) – Harlan Howard
A2. “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” (2:47) – Otis Redding, Steve Cropper
A3. “Little Green Apples” (3:14) – Bobby Russell
A4. “Lonely Man” (2:47) – Delmar Donnell
A5. “The Chokin’ Kind” (2:40) – Howard
A6. “Yours Love” (3:03) – Howard

B1. “Help Yourself (To All My Lovin’)” (2:23) – Stanley English, Jerry Ross, Mark Barkan
B2. “Wichita Lineman” (3:18) – Jimmy Webb
B3. “Don’t Let Me Lose the Feeling” (2:21) – Allen Orange, Joe Simon
B4. “I’m Too Far Gone to Turn Around” (2:30) – Belford Hendricks, Clyde Otis
B5. “In the Still of the Night (I’ll Remember)” (2:42) – Fred Parris

Simon recorded the album at Music City Recorders in Nashville with producer Richbourg.

Sound Stage 7 issued “The Chokin’ Kind” during 1969. The Howard song reached No. 13 on the Hot 100 and spent three weeks at No. 1 on the R&B chart. The RIAA certified the single gold on June 16, and Simon received the Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male.

“Baby, Don’t Be Looking in My Mind” reached No. 72 pop and No. 16 R&B. “Yours Love” followed during 1970 with peaks of No. 78 pop and No. 10 R&B.

The Chokin’ Kind reached No. 81 on the Billboard 200 and No. 18 on the R&B albums chart.

Joe Simon…Better Than Ever

Joe Simon released his fifth album, Joe Simon…Better Than Ever, in 1969 on Sound Stage 7.

Better Than Ever combines five Simon co-writes with songs by Mac Davis, Dan Penn, Donnie Fritts, Clyde Otis, and Belford Hendricks. “In the Ghetto” interprets the Davis song recorded earlier that year by Elvis Presley.

“Silver Spoons and Coffee Cups” mourns through sorrow-heavy lines as Simon folds each phrase into muted grief. “It’s Hard to Get Along” charges through call-and-response passages between Simon and an uncredited group. “I Got a Whole Lot of Lovin’” saunters through minor-key swing. “Wounded Man” aches through a heartrending lament as Simon deepens each plea into bruised resignation.

“Straight Down to Heaven” pleads through sustained sorrow with restrained baritone phrasing. “After the Lights Go Down Low” swings at a brisker pace as Simon glides across each accent with suave restraint. “San Francisco Is a Lonely Town” hushes into an intimate reading with close, sustained phrasing. “Rainbow Road” rolls beneath a banjo figure as Simon traces each narrative turn with measured gravity.

A1. “Silver Spoons and Coffee Cups” (2:56) – Fred Burch, Don Hill
A2. “It’s Hard to Get Along” (2:56) – Joe Simon, Allen Orange
A3. “In the Ghetto” (2:43) – Mac Davis
A4. “I Got a Whole Lot of Lovin’” (2:28) – Orange, Simon, Vories
A5. “Wounded Man” (2:55) – Bob Wilson, Mac Gayden

B1. “Time and Space” (2:43) – Ken Williams, Wilma Clausson
B2. “Straight Down to Heaven” (3:44) – Gene Dobbins, Johnny Wilson, Tony Austin
B3. “When” (2:17) – Wilson, Gayden
B4. “After the Lights Go Down Low” (2:28) – Allen White, Leroy Lovett, Phil Belmonte
B5. “San Francisco Is a Lonely Town” (3:19) – Simon, Orange
B6. “Rainbow Road” (2:59) – Dan Penn, Donnie Fritts

Richbourg produced the album during the final Sound Stage 7 phase.

“San Francisco Is a Lonely Town” reached No. 79 on the Hot 100 and No. 29 on the R&B chart. “It’s Hard to Get Along” followed with peaks of No. 87 pop and No. 26 R&B.

Joe Simon…Better Than Ever reached No. 192 on the Billboard 200.

The Sounds of Simon

Joe Simon released his sixth album, The Sounds of Simon, in 1971 on Spring Records.

The Sounds of Simon begins the Spring sequence and includes songs associated with the Bee Gees (“I Can’t See Nobody”), Marty Robbins (“My Woman, My Woman, My Wife”), and Kris Kristofferson (“Help Me Make It Through the Night”). Simon co-wrote “Your Time to Cry” with Raeford Gerald and Dock Price Jr.

“Georgia Blue” mourns beneath prominent strings as Simon holds wistful phrases in a dark baritone. “All My Hard Times” quickens through an upbeat lament under measured phrasing.

A1. “To Lay Down Beside You” (3:15) – Tim Drummond
A2. “I Can’t See Nobody” (4:15) – Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb
A3. “Most of All” (2:40) – Buddy Buie, J.R. Cobb
A4. “No More Me” (2:29)
A5. “Your Time to Cry” (2:57) – Joe Simon, Raeford Gerald, Dock Price Jr.

B1. “Help Me Make It Through the Night” (2:40) – Kris Kristofferson
B2. “My Woman, My Woman, My Wife” (4:34) – Marty Robbins
B3. “I Love You More (Than Anything)” (2:05) – Simon, Gerald, Price
B4. “Georgia Blue” (2:52) – Larry Neal
B5. “All My Hard Times” (2:38)

Simon recorded the album at Music City Recorders with producers Richbourg and Simon.

“Your Time to Cry” reached No. 40 on the Hot 100 and No. 3 on the R&B chart. “Help Me Make It Through the Night” reached No. 69 pop and No. 13 R&B. “All My Hard Times” followed with peaks of No. 93 pop and No. 19 R&B.

The Sounds of Simon reached No. 153 on the Billboard 200 and No. 9 on the R&B albums chart.

Drowning in the Sea of Love

Joe Simon released his seventh album, Drowning in the Sea of Love, in 1972 on Spring Records.

Drowning in the Sea of Love links Simon’s Nashville recordings with Philadelphia sessions under Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Gamble and Huff wrote five selections, while Bunny Sigler and Phil Hurtt supplied three further titles. “You Are Everything” comes from the Thom Bell and Linda Creed catalog.

“Drowning in the Sea of Love” rolls from a dark minor-key opening as bass and organ anchor Simon’s drawn-out plea. “Pool of Bad Luck” surges through reverberant guitar, urgent strings, and growling horns while answering harmonies punctuate Simon’s impassioned lead.

“The Mirror Don’t Lie” broods through a dramatic, blues-tinged setting as Simon darkens each line into blunt confession. “Ole Night Owl” struts through a lean combo arrangement while Simon answers compact accents with a full-throated cry. “If” rises through plaintive baritone arcs toward a sustained peak.

A1. “Drowning in the Sea of Love” (3:23) – Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
A2. “Glad to Be Your Lover” (2:59) – Phil Hurtt, Bunny Sigler
A3. “Something You Can Do Today” (4:18) – Gamble, Huff
A4. “I Found My Dad” (2:50) – Hurtt, Sigler
A5. “The Mirror Don’t Lie” (4:32) – Sigler, Hurtt

B1. “Ole Night Owl” (2:41) – Gamble, Huff
B2. “You Are Everything” (4:16) – Thom Bell, Linda Creed; originated by The Stylistics and also covered as a duet by Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross.
B3. “If” (3:25) – Sigler, Hurtt
B4. “Let Me Be the One (The One Who Loves You)” (3:04) – Gamble, Huff
B5. “Pool of Bad Luck” (4:50) – Gamble, Huff

Gamble and Huff produced the Philadelphia recordings at Sigma Sound Studios. Bell arranged the title song.

Spring issued “Drowning in the Sea of Love” during 1971. The single reached No. 11 on the Hot 100 and No. 3 on the R&B chart. The RIAA certified it gold on January 6, 1972.

“Pool of Bad Luck” reached No. 42 pop and No. 13 R&B. “I Found My Dad” followed with peaks of No. 78 pop and No. 15 R&B.

Drowning in the Sea of Love reached No. 71 on the Billboard 200 and No. 11 on the R&B albums chart.

The Power of Joe Simon

Joe Simon released his eighth album, The Power of Joe Simon, in 1973 on Spring Records.

The Power of Joe Simon compiles recent Spring singles and selected tracks from The Sounds of Simon and Drowning in the Sea of Love. The new material includes “Power of Love,” “Trouble in My Home,” “Talk Don’t Bother Me,” and “Step by Step.”

A1. “Step by Step” (3:02) – Raeford Gerald
A2. “Your Time to Cry” (2:57) – Joe Simon, Dock Price Jr., Gerald
A3. “Drowning in the Sea of Love” (3:22) – Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
A4. “You Are the One” (2:55) – Simon
A5. “Trouble in My Home” (3:29) – Simon, Gerald

B1. “Talk Don’t Bother Me” (2:55) – Simon, Gerald
B2. “To Lay Down Beside You” (3:15) – Tim Drummond
B3. “Power of Love” (2:45) – Simon, Gamble, Huff
B4. “Help Me Make It Through the Night” (2:40) – Kris Kristofferson
B5. “Georgia Blue” (2:55) – Larry Neal

Gerald, Gamble, Huff, Simon, and Richbourg divide the production credits. Photographer Joel Brodsky supplied the cover portrait during his long sequence of Atlantic, Stax, and Spring sleeve assignments.

“Power of Love” reached No. 11 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B chart. The RIAA certified the single gold on August 29, 1972. “Trouble in My Home” reached No. 50 pop and No. 5 R&B.

“Step by Step” reached No. 37 on the Hot 100 and No. 6 on the R&B chart. Its 1976 British release gave Simon his sole UK chart entry, with a peak of No. 14.

The Power of Joe Simon reached No. 97 on the Billboard 200 and No. 15 on the R&B albums chart.

Simon Country

Joe Simon released his ninth album, Simon Country, in 1973 on Spring Records.

Simon Country consists of material by country songwriters and includes songs associated with Eddy Arnold (“You Don’t Know Me”), Freddy Fender (“Before the Next Teardrop Falls”), Charley Pride (“Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’”), and Bobby Austin (“Someone to Give My Love To”). Brad Shapiro directed the album during his early production work for Spring.

“Five Hundred Miles Away from Home” wanders through an unhurried croon as Simon sustains a pleading tenor. “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” lingers in measured crooning as Simon holds each line with quiet restraint.

A1. “Do You Know What It’s Like to Be Lonesome?” (3:35)
A2. “Five Hundred Miles” (2:54)
A3. “Woman Without Love” (3:44)
A4. “You Don’t Know Me” (3:52)
A5. “To Get to You” (3:13)

B1. “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” (3:03)
B2. “Someone to Give My Love To” (3:04)
B3. “Good Things” (3:09)
B4. “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” (3:13)

Shapiro produced and arranged the sessions. His Spring work soon expanded into a sustained production partnership with Millie Jackson.

Simon Country reached No. 208 on the Billboard album chart and No. 51 on the R&B albums chart.

Mood, Heart and Soul

Joe Simon released his tenth album, Mood, Heart and Soul, in 1974 on Spring Records.

Mood, Heart and Soul continues the Shapiro partnership with songs by Jim Weatherly, Danny O’Keefe, Phillip Mitchell, Raymond Parker, and the Muscle Shoals team of George Jackson and Raymond Moore. Simon co-wrote “Walking Down Lonely Street,” “The Best Time of My Life,” and “Come Back Home.”

“Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)” aches through synthesizer washes and xylophone touches as Simon draws each farewell into bruised baritone. “I Would Still Be There” sways through opening fuzz and acoustic strums beneath a rueful drawl. “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues” lilts beneath easy drawl and measured phrasing. “Covering the Same Old Ground” circles through a lilting figure under weathered resignation.

“Walking Down Lonely Street” saunters through a measured lament as Simon darkens each line with weary baritone. “The Best Time of My Life” quickens through buoyant swing as Simon projects firm self-assurance. “I’m in the Mood for You” smolders beneath organ fills and restrained horns as Simon stretches phrases into gentle moans. “Carry Me” bounces through a jaunty plea beneath warm baritone.

A1. “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)” (6:01) – Jim Weatherly
A2. “I Would Still Be There” (3:16) – Phillip Mitchell, Clements
A3. “Goodtime Charlie’s Got the Blues” (3:26) – Danny O’Keefe
A4. “Covering the Same Old Ground” (3:30) – George Jackson, Raymond Moore, Dots
A5. “Walking Down Lonely Street” (4:31) – King Sterling, Joe Simon, Aseneth Peek

B1. “The Best Time of My Life” (2:50) – Sterling, Simon, Peek
B2. “What We Gonna Do Now” (3:07) – Mitchell
B3. “I’m in the Mood for You” (2:52) – Raymond Parker
B4. “Carry Me” (3:41) – Mitchell, Shelby
B5. “Come Back Home” (3:19) – Sterling, Simon, Peek

Shapiro produced sessions at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and Media Sound. Engineers Jerry Masters and Steve Melton handled the Muscle Shoals recordings; Alan Varner and Mike DeLugg worked at Media Sound.

“Carry Me” reached No. 12 on the Billboard R&B chart. “The Best Time of My Life” followed with a No. 15 peak.

Mood, Heart and Soul reached No. 44 on the R&B albums chart.

Get Down

Joe Simon released his eleventh album, Get Down, in 1975 on Spring Records.

Get Down contains four Simon–Gerald songs alongside material by Phillip Mitchell, Ed Townsend, Helen Miller, Rose Marie McCoy, and Harlan Howard. Townsend wrote and produced “You Don’t Want to Believe It,” while Simon and Gerald directed most of the album.

“Get Down, Get Down (Get on the Floor)” churns through a square four-beat thump as Simon repeats dance commands with sweaty insistence. “Fire Burning” drives through churning dance accents beneath emphatic baritone. “Music in My Bones” stamps through an insistent beat as Simon marks each turn with compact rhythmic phrases.

A1. “Get Down, Get Down (Get on the Floor)” (3:48) – Raeford Gerald, Joe Simon
A2. “Fire Burning” (3:25) – Simon, Gerald
A3. “It Be’s That Way Sometimes” (6:12) – Phillip Mitchell
A4. “Music in My Bones” (5:11) – Gerald, Simon

B1. “You Don’t Want to Believe It” (3:17) – Ed Townsend
B2. “In My Baby’s Arms” (3:30) – Simon, Gerald, Harlan Howard
B3. “Still at the Mercy of Your Love” (3:32) – Helen Miller, Rose Marie McCoy
B4. “It’s Crying Time in Memphis” (4:00) – Simon, Gerald, Terry

Sessions occurred at Media Sound and Bell Sound in New York with producers Simon, Gerald, and Townsend.

“Get Down, Get Down (Get on the Floor)” reached No. 8 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart. It became Simon’s third R&B chart-topper.

“Music in My Bones” reached No. 92 pop and No. 7 R&B. Get Down reached No. 129 on the Billboard 200 and No. 10 on the R&B albums chart.

Today

Joe Simon released his twelfth album, Today, in 1976 on Spring Records.

Today combines Simon–Gerald material with interpretations of songs by Willie Dixon, Sam Cooke, the Rolling Stones. Simon also revisits “Let the Good Times Roll,” the Shirley and Lee song written by Leonard Lee.

“I Need You, You Need Me” glides through a mellow rolling beat as Simon softens each declaration into intimate baritone phrasing. “Come Get to This” struts through a firmer dance beat as Simon presses each invitation with blunt emphasis.

A1. “Let’s Spend the Night Together” (5:47) – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
A2. “I Just Want to Make Love to You” (4:49) – Willie Dixon
A3. “Let the Good Times Roll” (3:01) – Leonard Lee
A4. “Come Get to This” (5:02) – Raeford Gerald, Joe Simon

B1. “What a Wonderful World” (3:24) – Sam Cooke, Herb Alpert, Lou Adler
B2. “I Need You, You Need Me” (4:36) – Gerald, Simon, Billy Kennedy
B3. “I’ll Take Care of You” (3:01) – Gerald, Simon, Randa
B4. “Music for My Lady” (3:35) – Gerald, Simon

Simon and Gerald produced the album, with Andrew Smith credited for arrangements.

“I Need You, You Need Me” reached No. 5 on the Billboard R&B chart. “Come Get to This” followed with peaks of No. 102 on the pop listing and No. 22 R&B.

Today reached No. 35 on the R&B albums chart. Ace later paired Today with Mood, Heart and Soul for a combined reissue.

Easy to Love

Joe Simon released his thirteenth album, Easy to Love, in 1977 on Spring Records.

Easy to Love places Simon with arranger Jerry Weaver and a Muscle Shoals studio group. The selections include songs by Tony Joe White, Donnie Fritts, Allen Toussaint, Ben Peters, Mickey Newbury, and Al Covington. Simon co-wrote “It Must Be Love” with Norman Harris and Ron Tyson.

“Sweet Memories” unfurls through tightly shaped sections. “What’s Left to Do” swells through successive rises.

A1. “You Didn’t Have to Play No Games” (3:33) – Jerry Weaver
A2. “Easy to Love” (3:52) – Tony Joe White, Donnie Fritts
A3. “It Must Be Love” (3:48) – Joe Simon, Norman Harris, Ron Tyson
A4. “What’s Left to Do” (4:45) – Al Covington

B1. “With You in Mind” (7:28) – Allen Toussaint
B2. “Before the Night Is Over” (3:38) – Ben Peters
B3. “She’s My Lady” (3:57) – Weaver
B4. “Sweet Memories” (3:08) – Mickey Newbury

Weaver arranged and directed the sessions. Engineer Jerry Masters continued his work at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios.

“Easy to Love” reached No. 12 on the Billboard R&B chart. “You Didn’t Have to Play No Games” followed with a No. 62 peak.

Easy to Love reached No. 56 on the R&B albums chart.

A Bad Case of Love

Joe Simon released his fourteenth album, A Bad Case of Love, in 1977 on Spring Records.

A Bad Case of Love forms a complete Teddy Randazzo song cycle. Victoria Pike, Roger Joyce, and Iren Koster share selected co-writing credits, while Randazzo wrote six titles alone.

“One Step at a Time” paces through a repeated chorus beneath Simon’s steady delivery. “I’ve Got a Jones on You Baby” grinds slowly as Simon deepens each line with renewed conviction. “A Trace of Your Love” lingers in laid-back phrasing as Simon settles into a bruised plea. “I Can’t Live Without Your Love” thumps through a firm dance figure beneath emphatic baritone. “For Your Love, Love, Love” smolders through a downbeat sway as Simon caresses each phrase with intimate restraint.

A1. “The Show Must Go On” (5:18) – Teddy Randazzo, Victoria Pike, Roger Joyce
A2. “Baby It’s You for Me” (3:37) – Randazzo
A3. “Coming Down with a Bad Case of Love” (5:50) – Randazzo, Pike, Joyce
A4. “One Step at a Time” (5:41) – Randazzo

B1. “I’ve Got a Jones on You Baby” (5:06) – Randazzo, Pike, Iren Koster
B2. “I Can’t Live Without Your Love” (3:09) – Randazzo
B3. “A Trace of Your Love” (4:02) – Randazzo
B4. “Which Way Is Love” (4:19) – Randazzo
B5. “For Your Love, Love, Love” (3:28) – Randazzo
B6. “You Don’t Know What You Got” (2:45) – Randazzo, Pike, Koster

Randazzo produced and arranged the album during his Spring work with Simon.

“One Step at a Time” reached No. 28 on the Billboard R&B chart. “For Your Love, Love, Love” followed with a No. 27 peak.

Ace paired A Bad Case of Love with Easy to Love for a combined reissue.

Love Vibrations

Joe Simon released his fifteenth album, Love Vibrations, in 1978 on Spring Records.

Love Vibrations moves the sessions to Philadelphia, where guitarists Norman Harris and T.J. Tindall, drummer Keith Benson, and the Don Renaldo string-and-horn section appear across the album. Backing singers include Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Yvonne Lewis, Janice Bell, and Ron Tyson. Simon co-wrote five selections.

“Love Vibration” drives through a full-bodied up-tempo arrangement beneath aching baritone. “Can We Come and Share in Love” lingers through a sustained slow treatment. “Going Through These Changes” quickens through a broad ensemble rush. “I Can’t Stand a Liar” bristles with persistent guitar and sly horns as Simon spits each grievance. “Somebody for Everybody” sweeps through broad dance accents. “It Must Be Love” pivots through a pronounced bridge.

A1. “Love Vibration” (5:10) – Joe Simon, Teddy Randazzo
A2. “Can We Come and Share in Love” (6:20) – Bruce Gray
A3. “Going Through These Changes” (4:20) – Phillip Mitchell
A4. “I Can’t Stand a Liar” (3:30) – Simon, Ron Tyson

B1. “Somebody for Everybody” (5:24) – Simon, Norman Harris, Tyson
B2. “To Get to You” (4:12) – Jean Chapel
B3. “If You Got the Time (I Got the Place)” (5:28) – Simon, Harris, Tyson
B4. “It Must Be Love” (4:16) – Tony Joe White
B5. “I.O.U.” (4:55) – Simon, Harris, Tyson

Harris, Tyson, and Simon share production across the Philadelphia sessions. Don Renaldo directed the orchestral players. Bob Heimall supplied art direction, while photographer Benno Friedman shot the cover image.

“I.O.U.” reached No. 71 on the Billboard R&B chart. “Love Vibration” followed with a No. 15 peak. “Going Through These Changes” reached No. 78 during 1979.

Love Vibrations reached No. 34 on the R&B albums chart.

Happy Birthday, Baby

Joe Simon released his sixteenth album, Happy Birthday, Baby, in 1979 on Spring Records.

Happy Birthday, Baby returns Gerald to the production group and retains Victoria Pike as a principal songwriter. Tony Camillo arranged “Make Every Moment Count” and “Hooked on Disco Music,” while Simon shares a credit on all seven selections.

“Happy Birthday, Baby” coasts through an underplayed delivery. “I Wanna Taste Your Love” struts through a blunt dance beat. “If It’s Good for Your Body (Then It’s Good for Your Mind)” loops through an off-kilter dance figure. “Make Every Moment Count” sprints through a super-fast rush. “I Still Love You” lingers through a subdued slow reading.

A1. “Happy Birthday, Baby” (4:51) – Joe Simon, Victoria Pike
A2. “I Still Love You” (5:21) – Simon, Raeford Gerald, Pike, Douglas Rowell
A3. “I Wanna Taste Your Love” (4:34) – Simon, Pike
A4. “If It’s Good for Your Body (Then It’s Good for Your Mind)” (5:11) – Simon, Gerald, Pike, Rowell

B1. “You Gotta Treat Me Right” (6:30) – Simon, Pike
B2. “Make Every Moment Count” (4:13) – Simon, Tony Camillo
B3. “Hooked on Disco Music” (4:31) – Simon, Camillo, Pike

Simon and Gerald produced the album. Camillo and Lester Snell contributed arrangements, with engineers including Michael Barbiero, Gene Leone, and Kenny Present.

“I Wanna Taste Your Love” reached No. 87 on the Billboard R&B chart. Spring issued “Hooked on Disco Music” during 1980.

Ace paired Happy Birthday, Baby with Love Vibrations for a combined reissue.

Glad You Came My Way

Joe Simon released his seventeenth album, Glad You Came My Way, in 1981 on Posse Records.

Glad You Came My Way returns Simon to Nashville and Memphis with producer Porter Wagoner. Guitarist Reggie Young, bassist Mike Leech, and arranger Lester Snell appear in the studio group. Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, and Evette Benton sing backing parts.

“Love Look at Us Now” quickens through gentle rhythmic force beneath an upper-range delivery. “Glad You Came My Way” caresses a compact romantic statement through dynamic rises and controlled pullbacks. “Baby, When Love Is in Your Heart” settles into a delicate plea.

A1. “Falling in Love with You” (3:21)
A2. “Love Look at Us Now” (5:04) – Mickey Newbury
A3. “Magnolia” (4:09)
A4. “All Over Me” (3:58)
A5. “Glad You Came My Way” (3:16) – Joe Simon, M. Speer

B1. “Are We Breakin’ Up” (5:54)
B2. “We’re Together” (4:46)
B3. “No Relief in Sight” (3:50)
B4. “Baby, When Love Is in Your Heart (It’s in Your Eyes)” (4:16) – Don Goodman, Pam Rose, Mary K. Kennedy

Wagoner produced the Nashville and Memphis sessions. Snell arranged the title song, while Chuck Cochran arranged “I Don’t Wanna Make Love,” the title single’s non-album reverse.

Posse issued “Glad You Came My Way” in December 1980 (b/w “I Don’t Wanna Make Love”). The single reached No. 43 on the Billboard R&B chart. “Baby, When Love Is in Your Heart” reached No. 60, while “Are We Breaking Up” followed with a No. 52 peak.

Glad You Came My Way reached No. 49 on the R&B albums chart.

Mr. Right

Joe Simon released his eighteenth secular album, Mr. Right, in 1985 on Compleat Records.

Mr. Right followed Simon’s move into evangelical ministry and contains eight Nashville recordings. The selections include “Always on My Mind,” the Wayne Carson–Johnny Christopher–Mark James song recorded earlier by Brenda Lee, Elvis Presley, and Willie Nelson.

“Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now” states a matter-of-fact seduction through conversational phrasing. “Always on My Mind” sways through a danceable apology with measured restraint. “Morning, Noon and Night” settles into a lean arrangement. “Let Me Have My Way with You” lingers in sparse accompaniment.

A1. “Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now” (3:28) – B. Jones, M. Garvin, T. Shapiro
A2. “It Turns Me Inside Out” (3:39)
A3. “My Best Was Good Enough” (3:59)
A4. “A Thousand Miles” (3:59)

B1. “Always on My Mind” (4:32) – Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher, Mark James
B2. “Morning, Noon and Night” (3:44)
B3. “Let Me Have My Way with You” (4:13)
B4. “One Last Look” (7:14)

Compleat issued “It Turns Me Inside Out” and “Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now” as 1985 singles.

Postlude

Simon returned to gospel music after Mr. Right. He released Simon Preaches Prayer on Skull Records during 1988 and This Story Must Be Told on Ripete during 1998. The Rhythm and Blues Foundation presented him with a Pioneer Award during 1999.

Simon died from respiratory complications on December 13, 2021.

Discography: