The recent Ameripolitan Award winner who impressed Vintage Rock with her dynamic 2023 debut LP Órale!, reveals the records that will always occupy a place in her heart.
Hailing from El Paso in Texas, Mozzy Dee’s passion for music started at a young age and still drives her today. “I was always a musical kid, and it was while performing in plays at high school that I discovered I could hold a tune,” she says. “After moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and influenced by the lowrider oldies and classic 50s music that I grew up on, I started writing rockabilly songs.”
Talking about scooping the Ameripolitan Award for Rockabilly Female of the Year, Dee added: “It was a shock and I was overwhelmed with gratitude. It’s such an honour to be a part of something that already felt like family to me. My debut album Órale! came out last year. It’s a tribute to my own Latina heritage and delves into the roots of rock’n’roll. I’m already writing new music and hope to perform in Europe.”
Aretha Franklin, I Never Loved A Man (The Way That I Love You), 1967
With someone as prolific as Aretha Franklin, it’s hard to fathom choosing only one song from her library of hits. Respect, Think, Chain Of Fools… you can’t find a matched passion or voice. This song in particular pulls at my heartstrings every time I listen to it. I want to sing it loud, trying to desperately match the emotion it emits. I can hear the battle between love and hate that she endured, brought to life in this track. The craft of this piece of work is unmatched in its grandeur. Aretha Franklin will always be The Queen of Soul.
Patsy Cline, Crazy, 1961
My Grandpa Mingo always had me sing this one to him, and I sang it wholeheartedly. Every time I perform a Patsy Cline tune, I dedicate it to him. He and my Grandma Tichi were united by music, singing at every family gathering that we had. They are the reason I have this ability to perform. Patsy Cline was a favourite of theirs, and she will always be one of mine. This song is only on the cusp of the many titles she sang that have shaped me as a singer and musician. No one can hold a candle to her.
Etta James, My Dearest Darling, 1960
When Etta James loves, she loves hard. It’s incorporated into her voice, her songs, her soul. This is why she’s one of my top idols when it comes to music. This number introduced me to her, and I’ll never forget wanting to feel the way she felt. To hear her voice ebb and flow from softness to ferocity, all while sounding like an angel sent from Heaven, is groundbreaking. I am so happy that we have immortalised Etta by continuing to celebrate her music and style. I hold a dear place for her in my heart.
WAR, Don’t Let No One Get You Down, 1975
There are times in my life that have been rather difficult to navigate, and this tune makes me realise that life is too short to let anyone further burden the journey. This is a song of perseverance, encompassing the rhythms and music of Latino and Black culture. It was a song that helped people get through the trials and tribulations of the 70s when it came out, but still speaks to us today. It not only helped me, but it also encouraged the Latin flavour of my track Órale! Anyone going through tough times needs to hear this one.
The Flamingos, I Only Have Eyes For You, 1959
This song makes me want to fall in love again and again every time I listen to it. The voices of The Flamingos meld together in such a fantastic way, it’s like they came from one soul. I fell in love with it, as anyone would do, because I felt like it was created just for me. It’s so masterfully done – and to think it is a cover of a song from a musical. We could not live without the existence of this track, especially the musicians of today. Doo-wop would not endure if it were not for The Flamingos.
The Elgins, Darling Baby, 1965
Like many of Motown’s incredible vocalists, Saundra Edwards’ sings beautifully in this song. Doo-wop holds such a solid place in my heart. I first heard it as a young girl, when my Dad used to take me to the lowrider cruises at Ascarate Park in El Paso. This track is what I think epitomises the lowrider culture scene, which lends to my Latina background and my love for Motown and soul. A lot of Black and Latino culture intertwines, especially when it comes to music. My hometown embraces that, and I’m proud to be from such a great city.
The Smiths, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, 1986
I can’t talk about the discs that influence me without including The Smiths. I am amazed at how beautifully morose and cheerful this is simultaneously. This is a love song gone incredibly obsessive, which The Smiths wanted to highlight about love altogether. I’m enamoured by the complexity of such simple words and the beautiful instrumentation. I hope I can garner that style in my writing. Morrissey’s lyrics and vocal stylings are like a fire that’s burned a mark of influence in my music, much like the hidden innuendos of early rock’n’roll.
Faron Young, Goin’ Steady, 1970
Faron Young is so iconic, and his music really takes me back to the days of the Grand Ol’ Opry’s peak years in which he performed with the likes of Ray Price, Carl Smith, June Carter and many more. Young influenced everything that we enjoy today – honky tonk and rockabilly. This song makes good out of both styles, in particular, the rockin’ 1970 version, which is not the traditional way he originally played it. It makes me want to dance, and that’s what I strive to do with my own music. His voice is unwavering in its smooth style.
The Everly Brothers, Cathy’s Clown, 1960
The Everly Brothers are the epitome of perfect harmonisation. I wish I could get close to the talent that they had when it comes to vocal range and style. This song captivates me every time I listen to it, and I especially love the simple music arrangements around the lyrics. The way that Don sings so softly and then together they belt out the chorus in perfect harmony makes me feel all the feels. I wonder, who broke their hearts to garner such a tribute? The Everlys will always be one of the greatest music duos of all time.
The Beatles, Do You Want To Know A Secret, 1963
This song ignited my obsession with The Beatles. I especially love this track due to how simplistic yet beautiful the tune is, really taking influence from traditional 1950s rock’n’roll and even some doo-wop. George Harrison is a genius musician and singer. You can tell by how understated his vocal is in this song… it’s not overpowering anyone else in the group and yet it still has passion. I grew up on The Beatles’ music. Needless to say, they are really an enigmatic group that will always be very dear to me.
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Check out: Vintage Rock Presents The Sound of Soul
Dan Biggane
Dan Biggane is a writer for Vintage Rock and Classic Pop magazines. A former entertainment editor at the Bath Chronicle newspaper, he’s interviewed numerous big names from the world of rock’n’roll, including Dion, Jerry Allison, and Slim Jim Phantom. He has also contributed a number of cover features for Vintage Rock including Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury and Bo Diddley.
