Frederick Knight – I’ve Been Lonely for So Long is offered here in the February 2021 Vinyl Me, Please Classics edition, released by Stax under catalogue number CR00343. This US club edition presents Knight’s only Stax album on 180-gram black vinyl, remastered in stereo and pressed by Quality Record Pressings.
Originally released in 1973, the album grew from the success of its title song, a distinctive Southern soul recording that reached both the American pop and R&B charts and also became a UK hit. Knight’s light, immediately recognisable falsetto floats above arrangements that combine intimate love songs, tightly organised horns, fluid bass lines and the earthy rhythmic character of Birmingham soul.
Knight was far more than the singer at the microphone. He produced the album, contributed drums, keyboards, percussion and arrangements, and also participated in the engineering at Sound of Birmingham. He wrote or co-wrote much of the programme, supported by musicians including Jesse Boyce, Aaron Varnell, Harrison Calloway, Harvey Thompson and members of The Excavations. The result feels self-contained and personal while still carrying the disciplined ensemble sound associated with Stax.
The title track remains the centrepiece, but the album reaches well beyond its best-known song. “This Is My Song of Love to You” highlights Knight’s restrained romantic delivery; “Take Me on Home Witcha,” “Your Love’s All Over Me” and “Pick’um Up, Put’um Down” bring a stronger funk pulse; and the closing interpretation of “Someday We’ll Be Together” gives the record an expansive final statement. The sequencing balances vulnerability and groove without losing the album’s warm, late-night atmosphere.
For this Vinyl Me, Please Classics edition, Ryan Smith cut the AAA lacquers directly from the original analogue tapes at Sterling Sound. The record was pressed at Quality Record Pressings in Salina, Kansas, and the package includes an exclusive listening-notes booklet by Jared “Jay B.” Boyd together with a reproduction-style Stax inner sleeve.
The record and sleeve are graded Mint.
Edition details
Artist / title: Frederick Knight – I’ve Been Lonely for So Long
Label: Stax
Series: Vinyl Me, Please Classics – C045
Catalogue number: CR00343
Format: LP / Album / Club Edition / Reissue / Remastered / Stereo / 180g
Country / year: US / 2021
Vinyl colour: Black
Mastering: AAA lacquer cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound
Pressing plant: Quality Record Pressings
Media condition: M
Sleeve condition: M
Condition: Vinyl M · Cover M