Brook Benton and Dinah Washington’s 1960 release of Baby (You've Got What It Takes) was a pop and R&B hit, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Hot R&B Sides chart. At the time, Benny Turner and Maria Muldaur were young adults, just beginning their now-legendary musical careers. Now, after more than six decades of performing, Turner and Nola Blue’s newly signed Maria Muldaur bring a wealth of experience to breathe new life into the song.
Benny Turner, who recently released BT, an album honoring many musical friends and influences, was thrilled for the opportunity to finish the song, which he had started for that album but was unable to complete before its release. “Brook Benton was a good friend when I played with Dee Clark, and we were on the road together during The Show of Stars in 1961,” says Turner. “I used to do his hair—they called it a process. It means a lot to have the opportunity to put this song out there, especially with a true professional like Maria. Her ad-libs are all first takes. It was a wonderful recording session!”
As if fate were in control, Maria Muldaur had plans to be in New Orleans for a recording session with Tuba Skinny for her new Victoria Spivey tribute album at the same time Turner had a session scheduled in The Crescent City at Marigny Studios. His backing track for the song, already completed, was in a key and style that captivated Muldaur. “I was so honored to be invited to sing a duet with blues legend Benny Turner,” says Muldaur. “I’d admired him but had never met him before. What a delightful man! We had instant rapport and so much fun singing that sassy old R&B classic together! Check it out and enjoy!”
“To be in the presence of two octogenarians with such mastery of their warm, soulful vocals and the professional spontaneity that makes this track so special is something I will always treasure,” reflects Nola Blue Records president Sallie Bengtson. “Little did we know that the lyrics ‘it takes two lips of fire to melt away the snow’ would become so relevant, as a record-breaking blizzard hit New Orleans the very next day! Although that delayed things a bit, this recording is far too special to save for next year, so we’re going full speed ahead to share it for Valentine’s Day 2025.”
Available beginning Friday, February 14 at lnk.to/babyyouvegotwhatittakes.
For more information about the artists, visit bennyturner.com and mariamuldaur.com.
