Barbara Mason (born August 9, 1947) – World War Three (1973)
This powerful, socially conscious jam was written by Mason, arranged by Ronnie Baker, and featured several members of MFSB.
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Singer/songwriter Barbara Mason wrote her own biggest hit, the classic “Yes I’m Ready,” which went to #2 R&B and #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Mason began playing her grandmother’s piano at age 12. She won talent contests as a teenager, and was noticed by singer and producer Weldon Arthur McDougal III, who introduced her to influential DJ Jimmy Bishop of WDAS-FM. He signed her to his Arctic Records label and helped finance her 1964 debut single “Trouble Child.”
Her next single “Girls Have Feelings Too” went to #31 R&B, but it was her third record that put her on the map. “Yes I’m Ready” (1965) was produced by McDougal, Luther Randolph, and Johnny Stiles for Dyno-Dynamic Productions. It featured a young Kenny Gamble on backing vocals, with a backing band made up of future MFSB core members Bobby Eli and Norman Harris on guitar, Ronnie Baker on bass and Earl Young on drums.
In 1972, Curtis Mayfield produced a superb cover of his song “Give Me Your Love” for Mason, which became the title track to her album on Buddah Records. Released as a single, it went to #9 R&B. The album also included a re-recorded version of “Yes I’m Ready.”
The next year, Mason’s powerful, nearly ten minute long, socially conscious anthem “World War Three” appeared on her 1973 Lady Love LP.
Written by Mason and arranged by Ronnie Baker, a much shorter version was issued as a single in 1974 but did not chart. The album’s backing band featured Baker-Harris-Young plus Bobby Eli, along with Larry Washington on bongos and congas, Ron “Have Mercy” Kersey on keyboards, Don Renaldo overseeing horns and strings, and Leon Huff on piano. Mason herself played the Fender Rhodes electric piano.
In 1975, Mason laid down lead vocals for the soundtrack to the Blaxploitation film Sheba, Baby starring Pam Grier. She was featured on several cuts, including its superb theme song, produced by Monk Higgins and Alex Brown.
#soul #funk #Philly #MFSB #BarbaraMason