Oh, Manchester, So Much To Answer For

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Geoffrey, for bringing up the inimitable Vesta Williams during our conversation last night. Vesta was an R&B singer in the latter half of the '80s and early '90s with a huge voice - think Chaka Khan with lesser material - who, oddly, had her biggest successes with ballads. Odd, I say, because her voice demanded some fierce uptempo tracks, and once, at least, she nailed it completely. The song was from her 1986 debut album Vesta, and was titled "Don't Blow A Good Thing." I remember hearing it on WTLC out of Indianapolis late one night and marvelling at the power and passion in her voice. I tracked down the 45 and have nearly played it out. She had bigger hits, but none better. "Good Thing" is propulsive, funky, and serious; this song ain't to be fucked with. Why it only peaked at a meager #17 on the R&B charts (she had no crossover success to speak of), I've no idea. The single, and Vesta, deserved better. Hear for yourself: "Don't Blow A Good Thing" has been added to this week's downloads.