Johnny Adams, Reconsider Me | Throwback Vibez

In the 191st edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Reconsider Me” by Johnny Adams.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 191^st edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Reconsider Me” performed by Johnny Adams.

“Oh, please, reconsider me / I can’t make it without your love, can’t you see?” Would it be far-fetched to characterize New Orleans singer, Johnny Adams (1932 – 1998) as a one-hit wonder? No, not judging by his performance on the pop charts. Adams reached the Billboard Hot 100 thrice.  However, his sole, top 40 hit came by way of “Reconsider Me”.  “Reconsider Me” is the 11^th song from his 1969 album, Heart and Soul.  The country-soul ballad, which peaked at no. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100, was penned by Margaret Lewis and Mira A. Smith.  Adams was the first to release it.

With its countrified and soulful vibes, Johnny Adams gives the listeners the best of both musical styles in “Reconsider Me.” His vocals are dynamic. His falsetto and upper register are delightful.  Furthermore, he is quite commanding in his middle register.  Johnny sings with plenty of authenticity about matters of the heart.  He’s begging her to take him back:

“Now, in the darkness in my heart
Don’t you know I bring you and plead?
Oh, light my way again, light my way again
And girl, reconsider me.”

All the while he is contrite, he’s supported by a marvelous music accompaniment comprising guitar, organ, bass, and drums. Shelby Singleton, Jr. does a ‘bang up’ producing.  After hearing Adams perform with such emotion, grit, and soul, is there any way this lady can’t reconsider him? “Reconsider Me” may not be the first song that comes to mind in the soul catalog, but it deserves ample praise and most of all, plays!

Johnny Adams // Heart and Soul // Sun Label Group, LLC // 1969

Johnny Adams, Reconsider Me: Throwback Vibez No. 191 (2024) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sun Label Group, LLC; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]