"Go Now" by Bessie Banks

I was listening to the radio the other day and was pleasantly surprised to hear the original version of "Go Now" by Bessie Banks.

Best remembered for its later release in 1964 by the Moody Blues, the song was written by Larry Banks (Bessie's former husband) and Milton Bennett. 

Legendary US writing/production team Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller heard a 1962 demo recorded by Bessie, and re-recorded it with backing vocals from Dee Dee Warwick and Cissy Houston.

Bessie later commented: 

'I remember 1963: Kennedy was assassinated; it was announced over the radio. At the time, I was rehearsing in Leiber and Stoller's office. We called it a day. Everyone was in tears. "Come back next week, and we will be ready to record 'Go Now’; and we did so. I was happy and excited that maybe this time I’ll make it. 

'Go Now' was released and right away it was chosen Pick Hit of the Week on W.I.N.S. Radio. That means your record is played for seven days. 

Four days went by, I was so thrilled. On day five, when I heard the first line, I thought it was me, but then I realised it wasn’t. At the end of the song, it was announced, "the Moody Blues singing 'Go Now'". I was too outdone. This was the time of the English invasion and the end of Bessie Banks' career, so I thought, as American DJs had stopped promoting American artists.

When Moody Blues' guitarist and lead singer Denny Laine heard the original version, he immediately told the rest of the band that they needed to record it. He was right, of course; it became an international hit.

When I heard the song, it was immediately clear to me that the original version was a hidden gem and that a female singer was the ideal choice, rather than a man.

What do you think?

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