Tuscaloosa, AL native John Byrd recorded several sessions in Muscle Shoals, the first under that eccentric of the Alabama scene John D Wyker III. Two sides were leased out to Shelby Singleton in 1969 and although the mid tempo You Can’t Get Away From A Good Thing doesn’t really show duettist Dorothea Epps to her best advantage, Just As Long As I Have Your Love is preferable not just for her vocals but also for the better melody. A very pleasant piece of country soul.

All of Byrd’s following recordings were in the hands of the late Joe Wilson, who’s other productions include Annie Blue and who was heavily involved in John Mihelic’s excellent Statue and related labels which have featured here on several occasions. The album that resulted from the sessions in the early 1970s was Your Good Thing on 20th Century with whom Wilson had a contract and it has sadly become one of those forgotten southern soul sets, despite the presence of the cream of Alabama musicians and Byrd’s light, expressive tenor vocals. The funky title track was chosen as the initial 45 but it never took off and the next release was the quality southern soul groover Dibblin’ And Dabblin’ which really ought to be better known.