I remember seeing PP Arnold on Top of the Pops in the 1960s, singing Cat Stevens’ “The First Cut Is the Deepest” and Chip Taylor’s “Angel of the Morning” (Chip also wrote “Wild Thing”, made famous by The Troggs). Since then I have followed her career and witnessed her perform several times including as part of a 60s package tour, with Small Faces, as a backing vocalist for Roger Waters and probably other times lost in my memory somewhere. Last night carer Jackie and I travelled to the lovely venue Stockton Arc to see PP Arnold in concert.
Something I wasn’t aware of, and that Jackie discovered while researching her background, was that she first came over to the UK as one of Ike and Tina Turner’s Ikettes, on a package tour supporting the Rolling Stones. This lady has a long career and is to be much respected.
PP started her set with a song dedicated to her mentor Tina Turner: “River Deep, Mountain High” and so we were off to a great start of another great concert. She has just released a new album, so her set consisted of old favourites, collaborations and tracks from her latest record. I recognised a number of the songs, but many were unfamiliar to me. PP was supported by a group of excellent musicians and her voice, rhythm and soul remain undiminished.
The lady is 76 years young and looks just great! She explained that she was once a backing singer for Eric Clapton in the days that he was forming Derek and the Dominoes. This led into a song that they were performing at the time: Traffics’ “Medicated Goo”. She then sang a song which she has performed with the great Steve Marriott and Small Faces in the late 60s. She made reference to rehearsing Small Faces’ “Tin Soldier” for future performances. Now that would be something to see. If you get the chance look up her performance of the song with Steve Marriott and Small Faces on YouTube. It is simply incredible.
PP also performed a song by someone who is an ardent admirer of Steve Marriott, Paul Weller. Next was a great performance of another classic, the Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody”. She closed the show with the aforementioned “Angel Of the Morning”. Excellent..
Soon she was back for an encore, closing with “The First Cut Is the Deepest”, telling us that Cat Stevens wrote the song for her personally.Many thanks to Jackie for buying me a signed book (see image) for my birthday present 🙂
Setlist (something like this): River Deep, Mountain High; Though It Hurts Me Badly; Baby Blue; Everything’s Gonna Be Alright; Different Drum; I Believe; Medicated Goo; I’m a Dreamer; Shoot the Dove; (If You Think You’re) Groovy; To Love Somebody; Angel of the Morning.
Encore: Life Is but Nothing; The First Cut Is the Deepest
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Posted by TerriersFan on September 17, 2023 at 12:09 pm
Sounds cruel, I know, but probably better known for her backing band back in the day…
Roger 🤘
Posted by vintagerock on September 17, 2023 at 1:22 pm
Hi Roger was there anyone memorable in the backing band? Just curious. Best wishes Peter.
Posted by TerriersFan on September 17, 2023 at 1:28 pm
Sorry, Peter – I assumed that you’d be aware of her old backing band when she performed as PP Arnold and The Nice.
Formed in 1967 by Keith Emerson, Lee Jackson, Davy O’List and Ian Hague to back soul singer P. P. Arnold, they later replaced Hague with Brian “Blinky” Davison, and the group set out on their own.
(I later saw Jackson and Davison with Patrick Moraz in Refugee).
Roger 👍
Posted by vintagerock on September 17, 2023 at 1:36 pm
Yes of course. I now remember that from the depths of my memory! I saw The Nice in 1969 or 1970 at Sunderland Empire when I was 12 or 13 and I was mesmerised by Keith Emerson stabbing his organ with some knives. There is an account on my blog. Happy days PeterAnd strangely she talked about all her old bands but never mentioned the Nice!
Posted by Prof_Alistair on September 21, 2023 at 4:26 am
Good to know she’s still going strong. Saw her here in Adelaide in 2018 with a stellar Aussie scratch band. A really great performance. As the previous comment noted, she didn’t mention The Nice. Now they were a live band!! Much preferred by me to ELP. Meanwhile, here’s PP. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcwJ8YhSq50&list=RDpcwJ8YhSq50&start_radio=1&rv=pcwJ8YhSq50&t=43
Posted by vintagerock on September 21, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Thanks Alistair. Yes she is still great. I saw the Nice in 1970 and they were tremendous. Happy days Peter
Posted by John on September 23, 2023 at 6:39 am
Hi Peter,
I was amazed when I first heard PP Arnold singing The First Cut is the Deepest. I can remember exactly when and where and what the weather was like when I first heard it ! The youtube video of her with Steve Maroitt I found mesmeric! Sadly I missed this concert even though it was only 3 miles from home! It sounded great! All the best, John
Posted by vintagerock on September 23, 2023 at 11:42 am
Hi John. The lady still has it! Magic. You would have enjoyed it. Happy days Peter
Posted by ciarant1step on September 26, 2023 at 3:54 pm
Hi Peter,
Followed your suggestion to check ‘Tin Soldier’ with the Small Faces on Youtube. Well worth it!
Posted by vintagerock on September 27, 2023 at 12:18 pm
Thanks Ciaran it is a truly great performance by both Steve Marriott and PP Arnold. Pure class and electric. Happy days Peter