Song:Baby It's You
Album:A Group Called Smith
This cover of The Shirelles' Baby It's You was a top five hit for Smith in 1969. They were primarily known as a cover band in Los Angeles clubs. The lead singer was Gayle McCormick along with Rich Cliburn on guitar, Larry Moss on organ, Jerry Carter on bass and Robert Evans on drums. Del Shannon discovered them in a club and got them a deal with Dunhill Records. Shannon produced their 1969 debut album A Group Called Smith with ABC Records house producer Steve Barri, Joel Sill and the songwriting producing team of Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter. Veteran sessionman Larry Knechtel was brought in to play piano and help with the arrangements. Of course Baby It's You was written by Burt Bacharach, Hal David and Luther Dixon and was originally a smash for The Shirelles and then The Beatles. Smith's version reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. Follow up singles charted but not as well so technically they're not a one hit wonder. Smith was also known for recording The Weight for Easy Rider when the producers were unable to get The Band's version. The album was all covers but their second album Minus Plus did have some original material produced by Lambert & Potter was unsuccessful and the group split up. Gayle MacCormick released a solo album on Dunhill in 1971 and had a minor hit with the Lambert & Potter song It's A Cryin' Shame. She also recorded solo albums for Decca & Fantasy. She last recorded in 1974. Jerry Carter records with his family blues group The Carter Brothers. Smith's Baby It's You got new interest when Quentin Tarantino used it in his short film Death Proof in Grindhouse. It's on that soundtrack but Varese has done a nice job on this reissue of A Group Called Smith by adding The Weight and Gayle McCormick's solo hits. Here's Smith perfrorming Baby It's You on The Leslie Uggams Show 1969.
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