Sam’s Jams: Connie Laverne, “Can’t Live Without You”

From the 1974 7″ white label, “Can’t Live Without You”

Check out our Sam’s Jams playlist below and listen to CultureShift weekdays from noon. to 2 p.m. on WDET 101.9FM.

Meta Stange/WDET
Meta Stange/WDET

“Can’t Live Without You” by Connie Laverne was originally released as white label DJ copy on the New York record label GSF shortly before the label folded in 1974. This record is rarely seen and is highly coveted. Like many of the Sam’s Jams picks, this song has become popular through modern DJ’s playing this song in their sets, specifically in the UK. Since then, the track has been remastered and released for the Club Classics album celebrating 50 years of UK’s Northern Soul scene.

 

Sam’s Jams is the weekly song selection of WDET’s creative producer Sam Beaubien, a longtime Detroit musician who also helms the soul-funk band Will Sessions.

From 70 years ago to contemporary releases today, Sam’s Jams is the musical equivalent of digging for hours in dusty record store bins to find forgotten-but-should-be-remembered deep cuts pulled from the genres of funk, jazz and soul genres.

The Sam’s Jams Spotify playlist will update with a new song on Mondays after airing on CultureShift, so bookmark this page to find your new favorite song each week.

Author

  • Sam Beaubien
    Sam Beaubien is a musician, composer, producer, and educator in Detroit. He is also the founder and leader of the acclaimed ensemble, Will Sessions.