Duke, Doris
Woman
Georgia-born soul singer Doris Curry began her career as Doris Whittingham after marrying Gus Whittingham of the Cadillacs and after backing Nina Simone on live album A Very Rare Evening, Swamp Dogg renamed her Doris Duke for her acclaimed solo debut, Im A Loser. The 1975 swansong, Woman, recorded for the British Contempo label and arranged by Gerry Shury, gets it contours from Ultrafunks top-notch rhythm section and enhanced by the Armada Orchestra. A neglected classic that remained unjustly obscure, it has superb takes of Woman Of The Ghetto and Mavis Staples Pick Up The Pieces, plus spirited originals.