MILLIE JACKSON - FEELIN’ BITCHY

In the spring of 1977, Millie Jackson was in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, laying down tracks for what became Feelin’ Bitchy with co-producer Brad Shapiro. Released in August 1977, the album reached #4 and #34 in America’s Billboard’s R&B and Hot 100, going gold with over 500,000 copies sold. Jackson’s cover of If You’re Not Back In Love By Monday – already a hit for Merle Haggard in March 1977 – also reached #5 R&B and #43 in the Hot 100 in August. Although the album did not chart in the UK, Feelin’ Bitchy sold strongly to a dedicated fanbase who had voted her the #1 female singer in the Blues & Soul magazine annual poll. Jackson also performed much of the material on her sold-out UK dates in early 1978.

Feelin’ Bitchy was not only a commercial success, cementing Jackson’s no-nonsense reputation, but is now considered an all-time classic. Her rap on Benny Latimore’s All The Way Lover stretched the original out like chewing gum to 10 minutes. “Back In Love By Monday is a great song an’ that,” she told Black Echoes, “but it didn’t sell the album. All The Way Lover sold the album.” Indeed it did, but other tracks like A Little Taste Of Outside Love Lovin’ Your Good Thing Away, Cheatin’ Is’ and Feelin’ Like A Woman show that while Jackson’s tongue – front and centre on the LP cover – was always ready to hand out a lashing, it also helped her sing beautifully.

Tracklist:

1. All The Way Lover
2. Lovin' Your Good Thing Away
3. Angel In Your Arms
4. A Little Taste Of Outside Love
5. You Created A Monster
6. Cheatin' Is
7. If You're Not Back In Love By Monday
8. Feelin' Like A Woman