As a teenager, Bass was attracted by more secular music. Throughout high school she began singing contemporary R&B songs at local contests and fairs. In 1961, Bass found steady work on the local Leon Claxton Show, playing piano and singing in the chorus. She also began playing piano on blues vocalist Little Milton's records. With the support of Bob Lyons, the manager of St. Louis station KATZ, Bass recorded several songs released through Bobbin Records. She saw no notable success outside her home town, however.
Two years later, she moved to Chicago after a dispute with Little Milton. She auditioned for Chess Records, who immediately signed her as a recording artist. Her first works with the label were several duets with blues singer Bobby McClure, also a newcomer to the label. Released early in 1965, "Don't Mess Up a Good Thing" found immediate success, reaching the top five at R&B radio and peaking at #33 at pop. They followed their early success with "You'll Miss Me (When I'm Gone)" that summer, a song that had mild success, reaching the top 30 at R&B, but barely charting at pop.
After a brief tour, Bass returned to the studio. The result was an original composition with an aggressive bass and drum work by Maurice White, of the future Earth, Wind, & Fire. The song, "Rescue Me," shot up the charts in the fall and winter of 1965. After a month-long run at the top of the R&B charts, the song reached #4 at the pop charts.
She followed with "Recovery," which did moderately well, peaking at #13 at R&B and #37 at pop in early 1966. The same year brought two more R&B hits, "I Can't Rest" (backed with "I Surrender)" and "You'll Never Know." Her only album with Chess Records, The New Look, sold reasonably well, but Bass decided to leave the label after only two years, in 1967.
In 1970 Bass recorded two albums with the Art Ensemble of Chicago, The Art Ensemble of Chicago with Fontella Bass and Les Stances A Sophie. The latter was the soundtrack from the French movie of the same title. Bass' vocals, backed by the powerful, pulsating push of the band has allowed the Theme De YoYo to remain an underground cult classic ever since.
The next few years found Bass at a number of different labels, but saw no notable successes. After her second album, Free, flopped in 1972, Bass retired from music. She returned occasionally, being featured as a background vocalist on several recordings, including those of her husband, Lester Bowie, a jazz trumpeter and member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago. In the 1990s she hosted a short-lived Chicago radio talk show, and has released several gospel records on independent labels.
Like many outstanding artists of her time, Bass experienced a revival of interest. Her still-powerful tones can be heard on the 2002 Cinematic Orchestra album, 'Everyday'.
She has been inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame. She is the older sister of R&B singer David Peaston, who was a former Showtime at the Apollo champion.
Fontella Bass, 72, died of heart-attack complications in her home town of St. Louis, Missouri, 26 December 2012. She is survived by four children.
Discography
Albums
* The New Look (1966, Chess) US: #93
* Les Stances A Sophie , with the Art Ensemble of Chicago (1970, Nessa Records)
* The Art Ensemble of Chicago with Fontella Bass, (Prestige Records, 1970)
* Free (1972, Paula)
* From The Root To The Source (1980)
* No Ways Tired (1995, Nonesuch)
* Now That I Found a Good Thing (1996, Jewel)
* Travelin (2001, Justin Time)
Singles
* "Don't Mess Up a Good Thing" (1965, Chess) R&B: #5 US: #33 with Bobby McClure
* "You'll Miss Me (When I'm Gone)" (1965) R&B: #27 US: #91 with Bobby McClure
* "Rescue Me" (1965) R&B: #1 US: #4 UK: #11
* "Recovery" (1966) R&B: #13 US: #37 UK: #32
* "Safe and Sound" (1966) US: #100 (b-side of "Recovery")
* "I Can't Rest" (1966) R&B: #31
* "I Surrender" (1966) R&B: #33 US: #78 (b-side of "I Can't Rest")
* "You'll Never Know" (1966) R&B: #34
All That You Give
Fontella Bass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All that you are,
All that you have,
All that you give
Mmmm
You hear me ravin'
Ravin', ravin'
You see me cryin'
I'm grieving from my hat down to my shoes
Mmmm-hmm
All that you are
All that you are,
All that you have,
All that you give
All that you give
The lyrics of Fontella Bass's song 'All That You Give' are a poignant expression of emotional vulnerability and gratitude towards someone who has given their all. The repeated lines of "All that you are, all that you have, all that you give" serve as both a recognition of the depth of the giver's sacrifice and an acknowledgement of the singer's dependence on that generosity. The chorus is followed by the singer's lamentation and a series of vocalizations that heighten the intensity of the emotion. The phrase "You hear me ravin'" is likely a reference to the singer's intense emotional outpouring, while "You see me cryin'" is a visceral representation of her despair. The mention of hat and shoes suggest that the singer is experiencing grief on a deeply embodied level. Overall, the song is a touching tribute to the power of selflessness and the impact that it can have on those around us.
Line by Line Meaning
All that you are
I value all aspects of your being, from your personality traits to your physical attributes.
All that you have
I appreciate all of your possessions, including material goods and personal experiences.
All that you give
I am grateful for any gestures of kindness or generosity you show towards me or others.
Mmmm
An expression of pleasure or contentment in the moment.
You hear me ravin'
You listen to me express my enthusiastic passions or opinions.
Ravin', ravin'
Emphasis on the intensity and fervor behind the raving.
You see me cryin'
You witness my deep emotional distress or sadness.
I'm grieving from my hat down to my shoes
My sorrowful state is all-encompassing, affecting every part of me from head to toe.
Mmmm-hmm
A reaffirmation of the previous emotional states being experienced.
All that you give
Reiteration of appreciation for any acts of kindness, charity, or love shown by the listener.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Peermusic Publishing, THIRD SIDE MUSIC INC.
Written by: PHILIP JONATHAN FRANCE, JASON ANGUS STODDART SWINSCOE, TOM COSTER, CARLOS SANTANA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sassulusmagnus
I'm sure you've read the story of how this track came into existence, but for the sake of others I'll give a summary. The members of Cinematic Orchestra were fans of her voice, so they invited Fontella Bass to freestyle some vocals over the music they had composed. Her husband had passed away a few years previous; and as she began to freestyle, all this deep longing for the man she had loved began to surface. That's what those lyrics are. This is a painfully beautiful song.
Sara Rodriguez
wow!I didn´t know! thank you. This song is a masterpiece , wonderful like she was. RIP
Elizabeth Queue
That is a great story.
Adrian lopez
thank you for sharing
Hiba Sobh
The soulful warmth in her voice!!!
1337Frederick
By far one of the best vocalists of all time, coupled with one of the greatest bands on earth. Fontella! What more is there to say!
Prod. DJ.Woogmoe
Mann i Love How Fontella Came back With this one out the cut ,everytime i hear this and see I always be amazed like its my first time hearing it i am glad she Made This video and song and still listen too all her songs older and newest songs She will always be Legendary and This video and songs puts the icing on the cake for me She Will Truly Be Missed Man 😢😇💯🌹💎
globalman
Wow... her voice became so rich and full compared to the 60's. It was great then but young and here...... I'm knocked out. Sad she had such a difficult last few years. Thank you for this.
Jamie Fry
Rest Fontella, a wonderful voice.
LiquidFunkify
One of the few song which gives me the chills the bones... Masterpiece