(April 11, 2024) Richard "Dimples" Fields has been a favorite among SoulTrackers since he first came on the scene in 1980. And now his long-deleted catalog of albums will be available once again in a definitive 3 CD collection from Cherry Red Records, due on June 28.
Richard “Dimples” Fields: The Albums 1980-1985, includes the hit albums Dimples and Mr. Look So Good, along with three subsequent albums, Give Everybody Some, Mmm, and Dark Gable.
The Louisiana-born Dimples was the owner of a San Francisco nightclub for years and was a popular regional act when he was signed by former Casablanca Records Neil Bogart for his fledgling Boardwalk Records label. Dimples was already 36 years old by the time he was signed, and he created a sound definitely aimed at a more adult crowd.
(April 11, 2024) Richard "Dimples" Fields has been a favorite among SoulTrackers since he first came on the scene in 1980. And now his long-deleted catalog of albums will be available once again in a definitive 3 CD collection from Cherry Red Records, due on June 28.
Richard “Dimples” Fields: The Albums 1980-1985, includes the hit albums Dimples and Mr. Look So Good, along with three subsequent albums, Give Everybody Some, Mmm, and Dark Gable.
The Louisiana-born Dimples was the owner of a San Francisco nightclub for years and was a popular regional act when he was signed by former Casablanca Records Neil Bogart for his fledgling Boardwalk Records label. Dimples was already 36 years old by the time he was signed, and he created a sound definitely aimed at a more adult crowd.
Dimples’ wispy voice was perfect for the light songs he released about his views on life and love (mostly illicit). His first album for Boardwalk was quite popular, boasting a hit cover of the Penguins' 50s hit, "Earth Angel." But the album was made by "She's Got Papers On Me," the six minute lament of a married man staring at the mirror, stuck with a wife but wanting his mistress. And the highlight of that was the spoken interlude of the great Betty Wright (as his wife) ripping through a 2 minute hilarious rant with her view of the situation. The song became so popular, it even led to the response record by Barbara Mason, "She's Got the Papers (I Got the Man)"
Dimples next album, Mr. Look So Good, was named after a line in "She's Got Papers," and contained his biggest hit, "If It Ain't One Thing, It's Another," a tune on which Dimples mused on the problems in his life, covering everything from a pregnant girlfriend to the need to read the New Testament. It was a smash on Soul radio -- his lone number one hit. The album also contained "Taking Applications," the sequel to "She's Got Papers," in which the post-break up Dimples character was still stinging from his experience, but was accepting the applications of dozens of women ("Alright ladies, no cutting in the line") vying for the opportunity to replace his ex-wife.
Sadly, Dimples died of a stroke in 2000 at age 58 in Novato, California and was buried back in Hammond, Louisiana.
For longtime Dimples fans, the new collection is a welcome remembrance of this singer and songwriter who definitely had his time as a star forty years ago.
By Chris Rizik