Song:Sittin' Here Drinkin'
Album:Night Train To Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues 1945-1970
Christine Kittrell is an outstanding underexposed R & B singer who recorded some great singles in the 50s. When things didn't work out, she turned to gospel music. Her songs on this 2CD comp Night Train To Nashville generated renewed interest in her music and Bear Family has released a Christine Kittrell comp last year. She was born Aug. 11, 1929 in Nashville and grew up singing in church. Influenced by Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith, she became a professional singer. She first recorded in 1951 with Louis Brooks and then the small Tennessee label released her first solo single Sittin' Here Drinkin' in 1952. She recorded one more single for Tennessee and then recorded for Republic Records through the late 50s. Among those who played on her records were Little Richard, Earl Gaines and believe it or not, John Coltrane. He was on the 1953 single Slave To Love. From what I can tell, she wrote most of her own songs including Sittin' Here Drinkin'. She never had a hit probably because neither label she recorded for had national distribution. She toured quite a bit but wasn't happy with the results and returned to gospel in 1954. She toured with the Simmons-Akens Singers. Christine moved to Columbus, OH in 1962 and recorded the Lieber/Stoller song I'm A Woman for VeeJay. Unfortunately, it was not a hit and Peggy Lee would have a big hit with the song later. Christine sang for the troops in Vietnam in 1965. She has already been there for eight months and planned to stay longer but was injured by shrapnel and returned home. This 2CD various artists comp is a must for any R & B fan. Christine Kittrell continued to perform in Columbus blues clubs until her death on Dec. 19, 2001 at age 72. Thanks to Rob Whatman's Brown Eyed Handsome Soul blog for Christine Kittrell's bio. Here's a video for Sittin' Here Drinkin' by Christine Kittrell.
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