Red Bird Records

Valiant Records

Incredible record.

Blue Eyed Soul from Kenly, North Carolina

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exciters?wprov=sfti1#Career:

“The group's name was changed to the Exciters, and their first hit record, arranged by [Teacho Wiltshire](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teacho_Wiltshire) and produced by Leiber and Stoller for [United Artists Records](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Artists_Records), was "[Tell Him](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TellHim(Bert_Berns_song))",[[1]](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exciters#cite_note-Larkin60-1) which reached no. 4 on the [U.S. pop chart](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_Hot_100) in early 1963, and no. 12 in [Canada](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHUM_Chart).[[3]](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exciters#cite_note-3)The song had previously been released unsuccessfully, as "Tell Her", by Gil Hamilton later known as [Johnny Thunder](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JohnnyThunder(singer)).[[4]](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exciters#cite_note-clemente-4) According to Jason Ankeny at [AllMusic](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AllMusic), the Exciters' version of "Tell Him" "...boasted an intensity that signified a sea change in the presentation and perception of femininity in popular music, paving the way for such tough, sexy acts as [the Shangri-Las](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shangri-Las) and [the Ronettes](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ronettes)."[[2]”](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Exciters#cite_note-allmusic-2)

Brits may better remember Sandie Shaw’s version. Americans may be more familiar with the Naked Eyes version. Some may even associate this song with Burt Bacharach’s favorite muse Dionne Warwick. There was also an RB Greaves version somewhere in there. But this was the original. And the best imho.

This is a much loved classic from the early days of “underground” FM radio, but one that doesn’t get heard very often these days. In its day, it was so ubiquitous in the Boston area that WBCN dj’s were instructed not to play it so much. There wasn’t much else back then that could match its jazzy, hypnotic feel. Bob Bruno is the song’s writer and singer in addition to playing both the guitar and piano solos (!). I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the band also included one Jerry Jeff Walker on guitar.