Darondo – Didn’t I (Music City)

Released: 1970s

“Didn’t I” is an amazing soul ballad from a relatively unknown artist. It is a a much loved gem among soul collectors around the world, but mostly a tale of what could have been (the next Curtis Mayfield, Al Green or Sly Stone). In the end even the artist’s name was spelled wrong on the release (Dorando).

He opened-up for James Brown and lived a colorful lifestyle hanging with folks like the notorious Fillmore Slim. Apparently the artist used to cruise around New York, all dressed up, in a white Rolls Royce with a licence plate that spelled “Darondo”. High times for an artist that only put out a couple of singles. “Folks would say ‘Daron got that dough…Daron Do…that’s how I got the name” he later explained.

Ubiquity put out a collection of old and new material in 2006, called “Let my people go”. Decent stuff, but “Didn’t I” would be my pick any day. A beautiful, fragile soul ballad about being dumped after trying your best to treat the girl perfect. So much love coming through the speakers when you put this one one.

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