Sugar Pie Desanto
I Want to Know - USA Veltone 1960
SOULFULDRESS - CHESS UK, 1963
I Don't Wanna Fuss - Checker 1093 USA
THERES GONNA BE TROUBLE - 1966
SLIP IN MULES (No Hi-Heel Sneakers)
DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR (1965)
IN THE BASEMENT -1966
Do The Whoo Pee
Sugar Pie Desanto's real name was Umpeylia Marsema Balinton from Brooklyn - born in 1935 on the 16th of October. Her stage name was given her by Johhny Otis. As you can see from the photograph, she lived up to the title of 'Little Miss Sugar Pie' because of her petiteness.
Sugar Pie Desanto with Roger Eagle and Howlin' Wolf ©Brian Smith
Any Way Ya Wanna.
Sugar Pie DeSanto's style was best described as earthy. One of the Chess Brothers described her in an interview as 'streewise' - probably an understatement. The tracks listed above were fantastic dance numbers at the 'Wheel' and 'Blue Note' in Manchester.
Sugar Pie was discovered by Johnny Otis who helped record her earlier material on Federal.
Soulful Dress was a huge hit at the Twisted Wheel in 1964 and 1965. She sang this at her live performance in Manchester at the Free Trade Hall on a Blues and Folk Tour. she danced swirling the tassels of her shimmy shimmy dress.
Slip-In Mules (No High Heel Sneakers) was an answer song to Tommy Tucker's High Heel Sneakers.
