Billy Ball And Roosevelt Matthews

[Guest]

Hi,

Hope someone can help with my question. I found Billy Ball 'Tighten Up Tighter' on youtube (

) and I tried to find it on 45. It is a great funky dancer, isn't it? Anyway I only found a 45 on King: Roosevelt Matthews with Billy Ball & The Upsetters 'You Got Me Diggin You'. On the flip side is a song called 'Tighten Up'. Now I'm a little bit confused and my questions is: Is 'Tighten Up Tighter' = 'Tighten Up' on King???

Please let me know.

Thanks

Chris

[Garethx]

Chris

It's the same 45. Released with both variants of the title. I've no idea which was first or if indeed there was any timelapse between the respective label variations.

For what it's worth in an interview with Billy Ball on the Funky 16 Corners website he categorically states that the Tighten Up rhythm was invented by his band, was a staple of their live shows and that his was the first recording of it. The TSU Toronadoes/Archie Bell version on Ovide then Atlantic was obviously the hit (and in my opinion the definitive version) but Ball says that he was most put out to have to put the Bell/Buttlier writing credit on the label of his 45, released only in the wake of Archie Bell and The Drells success.

My copy is simply entitled "Tighten Up". I don't have a copy of the "Tighten Up Tighter" variation but wonder if it's possible that has a different writer credit, i.e. including Billy Ball.

Edited June 24, 2009 by garethx

[Guest]

Merci! Now I know and now I understand. Thanks.

I know Archies version and like the more uptempo version of Billy Ball. There is a little bit more pepper, know I mean. When were both songs released first?

Best regards

Chris