A couple of weeks ago, I visited FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals. While there, I looked through their gift shop and found a CD from an artist that I wasn't familiar with, James Govan. Born in 1949 in McComb, Mississippi, Govan and his family moved to Memphis in the early '50s. Govan played guitar and drums in Memphis and also sang baritone in a vocal group called the Vans.

His singing, which brought to mind a slightly weathered version of Otis Redding (he was sometimes referred to as “Little Otis”), attracted the attention of George Jackson, a singer and songwriter for FAME who invited the youngster to record demos at FAME's Memphis studio. When FAME studio/label owner Rick Hall heard Govan's demos, he was amazed at how much Govan sounded like Redding, who had passed away in late 1967.

Redding's death left a huge void in the soul music recording field and Hall thought that the 18-year-old Govan had a good a chance as anyone to fill that void, so he determined to record a single by Govan in 1969. That single was “Wanted: Lover (No Experience Necessary),” which had been a B-side on Chess Records artist Laura Lee hit “Uptight, Good Man” in 1967, recorded at FAME.

FAME released two 45s from Govan --- the aforementioned “Wanted: Lover (No Experience Necessary)” (B-side Hank Williams' ”Jambalaya”) in 1969 and George Harrison's “Something” (B-side ”You Get A Lot To Like”) in 1971. Sadly, neither release sold very well, but FAME didn't give, recorded more tracks in 1972 that were never released, which is a shame.

The UK label Ace reissued Govan's two 45s and the 12 unreleased tracks in 2013 as Wanted: The FAME Recordings on their Kent subsidiary. It is a release that will appeal to blues and soul fans, who will wonder why this young man didn't receive more attention.

It's a mystery why “Wanted: Lover” wasn't a bigger deal upon its release, given Govan's energetic vocal and his swinging take on “Jambalaya” is equally enthusiastic. The second 45 release finds FAME trying a different direction with this cover of the Beatles classic, and it's a gorgeous reading that really brings the soul to the forefront. “You Get A Lot To Like,” written by Jackson and Mickey Buckins, is a solid mid-tempo track.

The unreleased songs include covers of several songs that Hall always wanted to record with Redding --- “You Left The Water Running” and a pair of Bob Dylan songs, “Just Like A Woman” and I Shall Be Released.” Govan's version holds up well to the demo version Redding cut for FAME in early 1967, and the two Dylan covers are remarkable, giving the songs a southern soul flavor that could have potentially charted back in the day.

Other familiar tunes previously recorded in FAME Studios include “Take Me Just As I Am” (Solomon Burke, Arthur Conley, and Spencer Wiggins) and “I've Gone Too Far” (recorded by Etta James, but never released at the time). Govan's covers stand up well to the previously released versions. Govan's versions are as strong as those released, especially his take on “I've Gone Too Far.”It's a mystery why these weren't released.

Govan's vocals were a great vehicle for George Jackson's songs, and it's easy to see why he used the singer. Another song co-written by Buckins that stands out is the funky “Stuck On Her.” Other standouts include the mid-tempo tunes “I Bit Off More Than I Could Chew,” “Your Love Has Lifted Me,” and “Oh Baby What You're Doing To Me.”

Blues fans will appreciate Govan's interpretations of the standard “Bye Bye Blackbird” and Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup's “That's Alright Mama.” The gospel standard “Way Over Yonder” is marvelous as well.

Though James Govan never really enjoyed any chart success with his music, he was able to release a couple more albums in the '90s and was a mainstay on Beale Street for over 25 years, including 20 years playing the Rum Boogie Cafe with the Boogie Blues Band.

Although Govan was alive when this remarkable set was released, he sadly passed away the next year on July 18, 2014 at the age of 64.

Wanted: The FAME Recordings is like unearthing buried treasure for soul and blues fans. There was some awesome music produced in Muscle Shoals at FAME, with some of the best not making it out of the studio until recent years. This is one that shouldn't be missed.

--- Graham Clarke