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Gino Washington recorded and pressed about a dozen 45s in the 60s. Most R&B dance/popcorn to early soul sounds. First recorded/pressed on the Correc-Tone label in 1962, Gino re-recorded 'Puppet On A String' two years later with a different arrangement by producer Sonny Saunders. This '64 Ric Tic label recording ( pressed also on SonBert same year ) was backed by Detroit R&B group, the Atlantics with Jeff Williams on lead guitar and backing singers, the Rochelles. The Rochelles later would become "Dawn" in the 70s ...( Tony Orlando & Dawn ). Though never on any Motown labels, he toured with the Temptations, Barry Gordy's Motown Revue, the Drifters, and later opened for the Rolling Stones among others.
I like both versions, but this '64 version has a slower tempo and sparse arrangement that keeps his moody vocal up front. He produced a few more singles through the 70s and went on to host his own TV show out of Detroit. Another victim of subjugated love, a cure for love-sickness ... Poor Gino.
The a-side is 'Gino Is A Coward'.
