Paula Parfitt / Jeannie Dee Love Is Wonderful / Come See About Me

Paula Parfitt signed to Milton Samuels’ Beacon label in 1969, age twenty, and released her debut single, “I’m Gonna Give You Back Your Ring,” on 26th September. Previously she had toured with Jeannie and The Boyfriends and appeared, unwittingly, on the populare TV hoax show Candid Camera. The company had faith in what they considered a catchy pop song but it failed to chart. Of course, they promoted the wrong side and as the UK Northern Soul scene bloomed “Love Is Wonderful” exploded onto the dancefloor where it has remained for over 50 years. Paula cut a second single for the Beacon subsidiary UpFront to no avail. She later married an Italian and recorded two further singles for Ricordi and Bella before setttling into Meditorianian life.

Jeannie DEE hailed from Brixton, London, and signed to Beacon Records in 1968 as one half of the duo Jon (aka Terry) and Jeannie. Often confused with the American soul singer of the same name, and not surprisingly, since the duo covered Peggy Scott & Jo Jo Benson’s “Lover’s Holiday” and Chris Kenner’s “Something You Got” for their first release. Their follow-up 45 carried on the soul beat with a cover of Jimmy Delph’s “Don’t Sign The Papers” and, here, we showcase her fine solo cover of the Supremes’ classic “Come See About Me” produced by Donnie Elbert.