Mabel John has the honor of being the first female artist signed by Berry Gordy to Motown’s Tamla label in 1960.

Her early romantic blues singles were eclipsed by more popular acts like the Miracles and later Martha and The Vandellas and the Supremes (both groups having previously backed Mable up in the studio).

Consequently she was dropped by Motown in 1962 and subsequently became a Raelette backing Ray Charles.

In 1966 she signed to Stax Records in Memphis and had some success with “Your Good Thing (Is About To End)” -reaching number 6 in the R&B chart.

She returned to Ray Charles in 1968 and by 1973 had left secular music and worked afterwards in gospel music.

In retrospect she has been under appreciated and should have been a household name.

The evidence is in the catalog of soul songs she has left us.

Check out “Able Mabel” from 1968 with a bass line vamp inspired by Peggy Lee’s “Fever” - but amped up with the Memphis Stax production and horns.

The song is of its time as it promotes self empowerment whether it be women’s rights or civil rights.

She is featured in the 2013 documentary film “20 Feet From Stardom” - a look at the unsung background singers behind some of the biggest songs from the 60’s and 70’s.

Stardom and fame and what resonates globally with music lovers, is a mysterious art with no explanation.

If we knew we would all be doing what works!

However - delve into the late great Mabel John catalog : a blues and soul pioneer who recorded some absolute gems!

More info here:

https://joyinjesus.org/mablejohn/main.htm

https://www.discogs.com/artist/398900-Mable-John

https://web.archive.org/web/20140222214507/http://twentyfeetfromstardom.com/