灵魂歌手R.B Greaves去世，享年67岁
文／夏礼章
以1969年的畅销曲"Take A Letter, Maria"成名的R.B Greaves9月27日于洛杉矶不幸去世（67岁），本名Ronald Bertram Greaves III的他出生于英属盖亚纳的Georgetown美国空军基地，是著名的灵魂歌手Sam Cook（已故前辈灵魂歌手，唱红You Send Me）的侄儿，1963年搬到英格兰之前R.B Greaves在一个印第安保留区长大，起初他以Sonny Childe & the TNTs之名在英国与加勒比海地区出唱片，回到美国之后加入Atco唱片后终于以"Take A Letter, Maria"获得排行榜第2名而成名 。▲以1969年的畅销曲"Take A Letter, Maria"成名的R.B Greaves9月27日于洛杉矶不幸去世。 (图／翻摄自网路)
之后他以"Always Something There To Remind Me"得过27名，但其他4首歌都没进过排行榜80名之内，其中包括翻唱James Taylor的"Fire & Rain"与Procol Harum的名曲"Whiter Shade Of Pale"。R.B Greaves搬回洛杉矶后，在科技公司上班，但一直对音乐工作念念不忘。
Take A Letter, MariaR.B Greaves
Last night, as I got home, about a half past tenThere was the woman I thought I knew in the arms of another man.I kept my cool, I ain't no fool. Let me tell ya what happened then.I packed some clothes and I walked out ..and I ain't goin' back again.
ChorusSo take a letter Maria..address it to my wifeSay I won't be coming home..gotta start a new lifeOh Take a letter Maria..address it to my wifeSend a copy to my lawyer..gotta start a new life
You've been many things but most of all a good secretary to meAnd it's time like this I feel, you've always been close to meWas I wrong to work nights, to try to build a good life?All work, and no play has just cost me a wife
ChorusSo take a letter Maria..address it to my wifeSay I won't be coming home..gotta start a new lifeTake a letter Maria..address it to my wifeSend a copy to my lawyer, gotta have a new life
When a man loves a woman, it's hard to understandThat she would find pleasure in the arms of another manI never really noticed, how sweet you are to meIt just so happens I'm free tonight, would you like to have dinner with me?
So take a letter Maria..address it to my wifeSay I won't be coming home..gonna start a new lifeOhhhh, Take a letter Maria..address it to my wifeSend a copy to my lawyer..Gonna have a new lifeTake a letter Maria..address it to my wifeSay I won't be coming home..fade out