Sunday's Child -

Sunday’s Child was an American teenage soul-pop trio that released a 1970 album on Reprise. Singer Ren Woods later surfaced as a stage actress and soul-funk solo artist.

Members: Ilene Anderson (vocals), Mary Lou Anderson (vocals), Renee “Ren” Woods (vocals)

Background

Sunday’s Child formed in Los Angeles in the late 1960s as a trio of teenage vocalists: sisters Ilene and Mary Lou Anderson, and their classmate Renée “Ren” Woods. The group initially performed as the Soul Five, inspired by the Jackson 5, but solidified their lineup as a trio and adopted the new name. All three members had formal and informal singing experience; Woods began performing at age six and was raised in Portland, Oregon, where she developed an early foundation in stage presence and vocal control.

By age ten, Woods was performing with Ilene and Mary Lou under the Sunday’s Child name on national television specials alongside Jack Benny, Bing Crosby, and Bob Hope. They joined Hope on a USO tour, appearing in Vietnam as part of his final wartime tour. Their polished presence and vocal blend caught the attention of Sammy Davis Jr., who mentored the group and helped secure a contract with Reprise Records. The trio entered the studio in 1970 and recorded their lone self-titled album, issued later that year.

Sunday’s Child (1970)

Sunday’s Child is the lone album by the teenage trio of Ilene Anderson, Mary Lou Anderson, and Renée Woods. Recorded when the members were between 13 and 16, the album showcases a blend of soul, pop, and theatrical standards, shaped by the group’s live repertoire and youthful vocal presence.

The album consists entirely of material by outside writers. It opens with a cover of the Bee Gees ballad “To Love Somebody” and includes Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse’s standard “Feelin’ Good” and Paul McCartney’s inaugural solo hit, “Maybe I’m Amazed.” Side B features the Mac Davis number “Half and Half” and the medley closer “You’re Good for Me” (Davis, Larry Collins), along with a Barbara Mason ballad (“Yes, I’m Ready”) and the Wilson Pickett hit “I Found a Love.” The lone exclusive, “What Are You Thinking?”, was written by Judy Carter.

Side A mixes stage-leaning ballads and orchestrated soul tracks, while side B includes a mid-album medley and closes with a slowed interpretation of the Jimmy Webb composition “Wichita Lineman,” a hit fir Glen Campbell. Woods leads on “My Song” and “Half and Half,” the latter written by Davis. Ilene Anderson leads the medley segment, including “I Found a Love” and “Yes, I’m Ready.” All three members contribute harmonies and rotating leads throughout.

A1. “To Love Somebody” (2:40) – Ilene and Mary Lou alternate verses on this cover, balancing tenderness with sustained phrases
A2. “What Are You Thinking?” (2:39) – Anderson sisters sing over brisk accompaniment and clipped changes
A3. “Feelin’ Good” (3:05) – Ilene and Renée trade lines in a dramatic reading with orchestral swells
A4. “My Song” (4:32) – Woods leads a subdued, slow-building version with measured phrasing
A5. “Watch What Happens” (2:05) – All three share lines in a short group number with cinematic pacing

B1. “Maybe I’m Amazed” (3:20) – Trio harmonizes in a faithful version with layered refrain
B2. “Half and Half” (3:10) – Woods handles the lead on this low-key, bittersweet Davis cut
B3. “I Found a Love” (3:08, medley pt. 1) – Ilene fronts a compact version of the Pickett classic
B4. “Yes, I’m Ready” (medley pt. 2) – Ilene’s phrasing softens Mason’s original with measured delivery
B5. “You’re Good for Me” (medley pt. 3) – Full trio returns for the Davis-Collins track
B6. “Wichita Lineman” (4:06) – All three sing over softened arrangement with slow chord turns

Sessions occurred in Los Angeles with producers Lawrence Raphael and Si Waronker. Arrangements were split between Greg Poree and Jules Vogel, with conducting credits shared accordingly.

Sunday’s Child features cover art by Ignacio Gomez, whose illustration depicts the trio’s disembodied heads in a cloudy pink backdrop. Design was handled by Thayne Madrid.

The album produced no charting singles, and the group disbanded shortly after release. Their final high-profile appearance was a performance at Carnegie Hall with Sammy Davis Jr.

Later Activities

Woods launched a stage and screen career, appearing as Dorothy in the first national tour of The Wiz, Fanta in Roots, and singing “Aquarius” in Hair (1979). She released three solo albums between 1979 and 2015.

Mary Lou Anderson later appeared on the 1980 album Burnin’ by Carl Smith and the Natural Gas Company.

Discography: