Originally released in 1969 on Canyon, this record is now considered by many to be the greatest deep soul album of all time. Our CD Digipack features a booklet with new liner notes by producer Swamp Dogg (the new liner notes will be available on line for download), as well as recently unearthed photos from the session. The vinyl is a 180 gram pressing and includes a poster. The album also features Duane Allman on guitar.
A masterpiece of soul singing, song writing, and production. – Funk My Soul.
Review:
I'm a Loser is the standout recording from Southern soul singer Doris
Duke; problem is, it's nearly impossible to find. Originally released on the
Canyon label in 1970, I'm a Loser found only intermittent life on small domestic
and Japanese labels. For fans of the gritty soul style of early Millie Jackson
and Denise La Salle recordings, this title is worth searching for. The
12 medium-tempo tracks were mostly penned by fellow Southern singer Gary
“U.S.” Bonds and producer Jerry Williams Jr. and are executed nicely by a
crack Capricorn Studio band. There's nothing here on the level of Aretha
Franklin's contemporary triumphs for Atlantic either in the quality of the
vocals or material, but Duke's own gospel-imbued voice, with its slightly
hoarse and urgent tone, finds its own niche. The lean, Stax-inspired numbers
also are very decent and even contain Duke's big hit “To the Other Woman (I'm
the Other Woman).” The fate of the love weary is the main subject matter here
and all its attendant drama is not only captured well by Duke's pleading vocal
delivery, but it is unobtrusively underscored by the minimal and tasteful string
arrangements. I'm a Loser may be a somewhat obscure title, but it is one that
would fit into any good soul collection.
All Music Guide – Stephen Cook