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Johnnie Frierson
Have You Been Good To Yourself
Have You Been Good To Yourself
Light in the Attic Records | CAT #: LITA127
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- Packaged with care in Whiplash Mailer or Equivalent
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KEY FEATURES
KEY FEATURES
- Limited Edition of 500 copies
- 1xLP pressed on Clear Vinyl
- Remastered from the original cassette
- Liner notes by Memphis native Andria Lisle
- Includes OBI strip
- Vinyl pressed at RTI
DETAILS
DETAILS
ARTIST: Johnnie Frierson
LABEL: Light in the Attic Records
CAT NO: LITA127
RELEASE DATE:
EST. SHIP DATE:
GENRE / STYLE:
- Folk / Country
- Gospel
RELEASE DESCRIPTION
RELEASE DESCRIPTION
“My dad loved people. He was an activist for Black people, but also an activist for human rights. I don’t care what color you are, my dad was kind to you. He wanted the word ‘love’ out there: the self-love message, the world-love message. Anything good he knew, he wanted to let everyone know about it.” – Keesha Frierson
Followers of our output might have a pang of recognition on reading the name, Frierson. That was the surname of Wendy Rene, whose work was collected into the 2012 LITA anthology After Laughter Comes Tears, and indeed, Johnnie Frierson is Wendy’s brother – a fellow member of her mid-’60s Stax four-piece The Drapels.
But Have You Been Good To Yourself will come as a surprise to anyone expecting more of the beat-driven R&B Johnnie and his sibling produced – including that compilation’s much-sampled title track. A mix of spoken word and gospel songs laid down direct to cassette, these ultra-rare home recordings draw from Johnnie’s religious upbringing and his history in the music business, which was interrupted in 1970 when he was sent to fight in Vietnam.
Cratedigger Jameson Sweiger found Have You Been Good To Yourself and a companion album, Real Education, released under the name Khafele Ojore Ajanaku in a Memphis thrift store, but it was noticeably Frierson’s work. They hadn’t made it far – they would originally have been sold at corner stores and music festivals in the Memphis area, where Frierson continued to perform and host a gospel radio show, all the while working as a mechanic, laborer, and teacher.
The seven songs on Have You Been Good To Yourself are overtly religious; some, such as “Out Here On Your Word,” are strident and faithful; others, like the self-questioning “Have You Been Good To Yourself,” are more meditative. They reflect the difficult situation that Frierson was in when recording, shell-shocked from his time in the military and grieving the untimely death of his son. “He was really trying to find his way,” remembers Frierson’s daughter Keesha in Andria Lisle’s liner notes. “And writing and making music was a way out for him.”
Remastered and released professionally for the first time, the message spread by Frierson – who passed away in 2010 – remains undimmed.
TRACKLIST
TRACKLIST
1. Have You Been Good To Yourself
2. Heavenly Father
3. You've Been Good
4. Miracles
5. Out Here On Your Word
6. You Were Sent To This World
7. Woke Up This Morning
8. Trust In The Lord
LISTEN
LISTEN
CREDITS
CREDITS
ABOUT THE ARTIST
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Let customers speak for us
from 30 reviewsI got this for my husband as a gift and he really loved it. Great sound and beautiful color. I’m so glad I got this vinyl.
Beautiful vinyl. Good price. Came packaged well.
Really happy with the vinyl box set. It was sent quickly, well packaged and made it to Australia unscathed 😊
Came exactly as described and in perfect condition, the best shipment service on vinyls I’ve ever had. Fast and accurate, I’ve had records ordered for almost a month with another store and these guys continually beat out all other stores for shipment. I just ordered again from them, highly recommend.
The album arrived well packaged, in impeccable condition. Love the service. Love this album!
Great shop, I can only recommend it.
I finally received it. It came well packaged and secure. The customer assistance was great and helpful with my queries.
honestly i was very happy to have this poster come in, and imma buy a frame for it later. the poster is really beautiful and i love it, there was a slight defect to it, no fault to the company, but the mailing service itself, but it doesnt really bother me at all since it’s barely noticeable, i am just so happy to own it!!
Beautiful packaging and lovely sonic excursions abound from this vinyl. Thank you !̦ Helix.
Excellent album. I had never purchased from this vendor before and I was initially leary (this album is sold out on bandcamp and Materia Collective's site, and I'd never heard of Helix). But the album arrived quickly and was packaged very securely. I wish the "gold swirl" was a touch more apparent but I understand that each record will look different. Wonderful release from Rozen overall.
Great album that been on list for a while,had to grab for this great price! And shipping was pretty fast as well ,will definitely recommend and shop again.🙏🏽
Awesome addition to my collection.
Vinyl came in great shape and plays well!