Winner, Renee Geyer - Promo

Promo

Renée Geyer – Winner

Artist: Renée Geyer

Title: Winner

Album Type: Fifth Studio Album

Original Release Date: December 1977

Label: RCA Victor (Australia)

Genre: Blue-Eyed Soul / Funk / R&B

Background & Production Released just seven months after the acclaimed Moving Along, Winner was the second album Renée Geyer recorded in the United States during her push for international stardom. Recorded at Crystal Sound Studios in Los Angeles, the album saw Geyer reuniting with legendary Motown producer Frank Wilson. The production featured a "who's who" of elite American session musicians, including James Gadson on drums, Ray Parker Jr. on guitar, and the legendary Billy Preston on keyboards. The album represents Geyer at the peak of her "L.A. sound" era—polished, soulful, and undeniably funky.

Musical Composition & Style Winner leans heavily into a sophisticated mid-70s R&B groove, emphasizing Geyer's unique ability to sound both gritty and elegant.

• The Standout Track: The title track "Winner" is a high-energy soul anthem that showcases the power of the Billy Preston/Frank Wilson collaboration, featuring a driving rhythm section and Geyer’s signature "whiskey-soaked" vocals.

• Soulful Balladry: The album features a stunning cover of the Isaac Hayes/David Porter track "The Memory," demonstrating Geyer's deep connection to the Stax and Motown traditions.

• Funk Infusion: With Ray Parker Jr. (of "Ghostbusters" fame and the band Raydio) providing the guitar licks, tracks like "Money (That's What I Want)" are transformed into sleek, West Coast funk workouts.

• The "L.A. Polish": The arrangements are lush, featuring professional horn sections and tight backing vocals that were a stark contrast to the raw pub-rock sounds dominating Australia at the time.

Legacy & Collector Notes While the album was recorded in the U.S. to break the American market (where it was released with a different cover), it remains a cherished piece of Australian music history. It peaked in the Top 20 on the Kent Music Report, further cementing Geyer's status as Australia's premier soul vocalist. For vinyl collectors, the original Australian RCA Victor pressing is highly desirable for its rich analog depth. It is a must-have for any Shopify store focusing on Australian music icons or high-quality 70s Soul/Funk.

• Keywords: Renee Geyer, Winner, Australian Soul, Frank Wilson, Billy Preston, Ray Parker Jr, RCA Victor, 1977 Vinyl, Blue-Eyed Soul, Funk.

• Collection Ideas: Australian Music Royalty, 70s Soul & Funk, The Frank Wilson Productions, Female Soul Legends.

• Related Artists: Marcia Hines, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, The Pointer Sisters.

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve