If I Were Your Woman

by Andrew Hamilton Two of Gladys Knight & the Pips' most dramatic recordings, "If I Were Your Woman" and "I Don't Want to Do Wrong," provided the juice to send this LP all the way to #35 on Billboard's album chart. The former has evolved into an R&B classic, with remakes too numerous to mention, the most famous by Stephanie Mills. "Signed Gladys" is reminiscent of "A Letter from Tina," an old Sue Record side by Ike & Tina Turner. Also included are two poles-apart remakes: the Fifth Dimension's "One Less Bell to Answer," done magnificently by the group; and an excursion into funk on Sly Stone's "Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin)." The rest consists of average material upgraded by the recording skills of Gladys and her guys.