Lou Johnson

[Tony Smith]

CDKEND 333

Just spent the past couple of days playing through the latest Kent CD highlighting Lou's career at Big Top and Big Hill, If, like me you dig the big city sound of Mid-Sixties New York then this set is definitely for you. From Lou's reading of Bacharach & David's "Reach Out For Me" through to the previously unreleased extended version of "Unsatisfied", (worth buying the CD for this alone, I remember Tim Ash putting this on tape for me years ago and I'd completely forgotten about it). Via his biggest hits, which were both subsequently covered and outsold by UK artists, (Sandie Shaw & Adam Faith) and containing unreleased gems, including his take of "The Panic Is On", It seems remarkable there hasn't been a retrospective before, which seems criminal considering Lou's talent for interpreting the songs contained here.

A labour of love for Ady you can tell, and as expected the usual high standard CD booklet full of rare scans and information, the sound quality is crystal clear, so full marks to Ady and all at Ace towers for another outstanding set.

[Ian Dewhirst]

CDKEND 333

Just spent the past couple of days playing through the latest Kent CD highlighting Lou's career at Big Top and Big Hill, If, like me you dig the big city sound of Mid-Sixties New York then this set is definitely for you. From Lou's reading of Bacharach & David's "Reach Out For Me" through to the previously unreleased extended version of "Unsatisfied", (worth buying the CD for this alone, I remember Tim Ash putting this on tape for me years ago and I'd completely forgotten about it). Via his biggest hits, which were both subsequently covered and outsold by UK artists, (Sandie Shaw & Adam Faith) and containing unreleased gems, including his take of "The Panic Is On", It seems remarkable there hasn't been a retrospective before, which seems criminal considering Lou's talent for interpreting the songs contained here.

A labour of love for Ady you can tell, and as expected the usual high standard CD booklet full of rare scans and information, the sound quality is crystal clear, so full marks to Ady and all at Ace towers for another outstanding set.

Yep, a must-have purchase. He's right up there with the best of all time for me. He must be the most-covered of original Soul artists - such a shame that he never managed to get a decent hit with his own stuff considering the quality of the material.

Ian D

[Prophonics 2029]

I have all the Big Top records and I must say the Big Hill stuff is fantastico, sounds like a great CD.

[Geoff]

I am looking forward to this CD as I'm a fan of the Big City Sound and Lou is one of its best proponents. The CD isn't anywhere on the Ace Records site, so I googled it and it is scheduled for issue towards the end of March. I wonder if Kent will release The Panic Is On on a 45?

[Ady Croasdell]

Actually Geoff it's an end of February release and should be in the shops any day. At least one punter's had his from Amazon already.

As I mentioned on another thread, Lou get's a particularly good royalty rate on this CD due to an anomaly in the licensing, so every purchase will directly help an artist who hasn't had the best of health recently.

[Guest mickeyb]

extended version of "Unsatisfied", (worth buying the CD for this alone, I

Heard this on Jerry Hipkiss' Breakfast Show on GFM last week. Like you say worth the purchase for that alone.

[Mick Howard]

CDKEND 333

Just spent the past couple of days playing through the latest Kent CD highlighting Lou's career at Big Top and Big Hill, If, like me you dig the big city sound of Mid-Sixties New York then this set is definitely for you. From Lou's reading of Bacharach & David's "Reach Out For Me" through to the previously unreleased extended version of "Unsatisfied", (worth buying the CD for this alone, I remember Tim Ash putting this on tape for me years ago and I'd completely forgotten about it). Via his biggest hits, which were both subsequently covered and outsold by UK artists, (Sandie Shaw & Adam Faith) and containing unreleased gems, including his take of "The Panic Is On", It seems remarkable there hasn't been a retrospective before, which seems criminal considering Lou's talent for interpreting the songs contained here.

A labour of love for Ady you can tell, and as expected the usual high standard CD booklet full of rare scans and information, the sound quality is crystal clear, so full marks to Ady and all at Ace towers for another outstanding set.

Tony

Yes indeed the man was a singer of some calibre.

Unsatisfied was amongst the first batch of Northern Soul tunes I got to recognise back in the mid 70's and look forward to hearing the out-take.

I absolutely love 'If I Ever Get To Love You' which I'm sure is on the CD.

Going to Stafford young man? If so I'll see you there.

Mick

[Geoff]

Actually Geoff it's an end of February release and should be in the shops any day. At least one punter's had his from Amazon already.

As I mentioned on another thread, Lou get's a particularly good royalty rate on this CD due to an anomaly in the licensing, so every purchase will directly help an artist who hasn't had the best of health recently.

That's another good reason to buy it then Ady. Will check out Amazon.

[Mark Bicknell]

The man is a genius with a velvet voice, love my Big Top Demo's lol, this is a must have CD for all the right reasons, top tuneage, cash going to Lou, first class sound quality, blinding sleeve notes as ever, certaily will be up there for the best CD of 2010 award, pure class.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

[Steve G]

Gonna get one of these for the car

[Tony Smith]

Gonna get one of these for the car

You wont regret it, especially "No Other Guy" from his unreleased Big Top L.P., fantastic sound, Randy would've raved about this set.

[Davetay]

Yep, a must-have purchase. He's right up there with the best of all time for me. He must be the most-covered of original Soul artists - such a shame that he never managed to get a decent hit with his own stuff considering the quality of the material.

Ian D

Ian, I for one think every Kent CD is a must have purchase.

Yours Dave.

Edited February 25, 2010 by davetay

[Mark Bicknell]

You wont regret it, especially "No Other Guy" from his unreleased Big Top L.P., fantastic sound, Randy would've raved about this set.

Blinding Tony, stunning CD no messing, the sound quality is simply superb, Ady you do it to us time and time again mate, this package however will take some beating mate.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

[dthedrug]

Actually Geoff it's an end of February release and should be in the shops any day. At least one punter's had his from Amazon already.

As I mentioned on another thread, Lou get's a particularly good royalty rate on this CD due to an anomaly in the licensing, so every purchase will directly help an artist who hasn't had the best of health recently.

"HAVE THIS ONE ON ME"

DAVE(MORE THAN SKIN DEEP)KIL

©dthedrug/"more than SkinDeep"2009

Edited February 25, 2010 by dthedrug

[Tony Smith]

"HAVE THIS ONE ON ME"

DAVE(MORE THAN SKIN DEEP)KIL

©dthedrug/"more than SkinDeep"2009

Fantastic Dave, did you go?

[dthedrug]

Fantastic Dave, did you go?

My elder Brother Nigel was the FACE and Hard Man who still is Fit to Fight DAVE

60 years old never bottled it

[Ady Croasdell]

Interesting sidestep there Dave, i don't think Tony wanted a scrap.

Zoot Money became good friends with Zoot on his visits here.

I just found a great acetate version of Lou's 'Who Is It Now' by Dee Dee Warwick; taken a bit slower than Lou's.

[Guest CapitolSC]

Interesting sidestep there Dave, i don't think Tony wanted a scrap.

Zoot Money became good friends with Zoot on his visits here.

I just found a great acetate version of Lou's 'Who Is It Now' by Dee Dee Warwick; taken a bit slower than Lou's.

Would love to hear that Ady.

Looking forward to getting my Lou Johnson through the post

cant wait.

While we are on the subject of Kent dont forget the Kent select 45s

All top quality mainly unreleased tunes

The Little Willie John is a blinder both sides.

Al H:thumbup:

[Chalky]

hopefully I'll get a copy of this cd tonight, looks a belter

Edited February 27, 2010 by chalky

[Guest Brett F]

I remember Ady playing Lou Johnson's version of 'The Panic Is On' at the 100 club some years back, never heard it since, i'll get the cd on the strength of that memory.

[dthedrug]

Interesting sidestep there Dave, i don't think Tony wanted a scrap.

Zoot Money became good friends with Zoot on his visits here.

I just found a great acetate version of Lou's 'Who Is It Now' by Dee Dee Warwick; taken a bit slower than Lou's.

SORRY ADEY, WONT DO IT IT AGAIN M8T IF YOU DONT BELIEVE ME YOU ASK MY BRUVVER!! DAVE(peace man) KIL

[Ljblanken]

I just got a Volt single by Lou Johnson 'look out frisco here i come' and it is awesome. rougher and funkier than his earlier stuff. top shelf.

[Agentsmith]

ADEY, if youre coherent at this moment in time, i was wondering if you had considered just for anoraks sake, putting the 78rpm version of "the panic is on" on the cd as i remember you telling me about it, and yes, i havent set foot in the 100 club for 8 years now, so youre quite right to think "who the devil is this im talking to?".

will be purchasing your latest offering, but i would like to ask, as your reply will be, so to speak "from the horses mouth", but EXACTLY WHAT IS THE SITUATION WITH RCA AND WILL YOU EVER BE ABLE TO PERSUADE THESE PEOPLE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPORTANCE OF WHAT THEY ARE HOLDING BACK FROM US....YOUVE BEEN OUR CHAMPION FOR A LONG TIME NOW MATE,.....STAND AND DELIVER NANCY WILCOX....WITH BOTH BARRELS!!!

rob.h

[Ady Croasdell]

Hi Rob,

The 78 0f The Panic Is On is just the same as the 45 version so it's a curio more than anything.

RCA is hard going but we'll get there eventually just like we did with Lou. Thanks for the kind comments.

Ady

[timthemod]

As I mentioned on another thread, Lou get's a particularly good royalty rate on this CD due to an anomaly in the licensing, so every purchase will directly help an artist who hasn't had the best of health recently.

This is very heart warming, especially as he didn't get any royalties for that Belgian 'Marginal' CD Bootleg compilation!

[timthemod]

Sorry this is in B&W, thought it would be of interest.

[Ady Croasdell]

Sorry this is in B&W, thought it would be of interest.

And in the booklet in colour Tim.

We had an Email of congratulations on the excellence of the CD from none other than Andrew Loog Oldham too!

[Chalky]

got my copy through, was only £8.50ish from amazon, absolute bargain for a cracking cd. Haven't managed to read the (as usual) extensive booklet yet but will do soon.

Any chance of all these booklets in one book Ady? Some great info in them.

Keep up the excellent work

[timthemod]

got my copy through, was only £8.50ish from amazon, absolute bargain for a cracking cd. Haven't managed to read the (as usual) extensive booklet yet but will do soon.

Any chance of all these booklets in one book Ady? Some great info in them.

Keep up the excellent work

Interesting how many UK sheets use a combination of the original and cover artist. There are some pretty unusual ones out there, I have Frankie and Johnnie, Ray Pollard and Chuck Jackson (Changes of Love) all really interesting with pictures.

[Tony Smith]

We had an Email of congratulations on the excellence of the CD from none other than Andrew Loog Oldham too!

Wow!, that's amazing, really.

[Ady Croasdell]

got my copy through, was only £8.50ish from amazon, absolute bargain for a cracking cd. Haven't managed to read the (as usual) extensive booklet yet but will do soon.

Any chance of all these booklets in one book Ady? Some great info in them.

Keep up the excellent work

Nice thought Chalky but without the CDs they describe it would be a bit frustrating. It could make a good 200 CD box set though!

[jocko]

Nice thought Chalky but without the CDs they describe it would be a bit frustrating. It could make a good 200 CD box set though!

Not sure I agree Ady, but I sort of see where you are coming from as to whether it would appeal to a wide enough audience, like Chalkster I would be at the front of the cue.

Waiting on this CD landing on my doorstep, looking forward to it immensely along with the new Jimmy Hughes one, top choices gentleman (how did you get Mr Hall to agree to anything?)

Kudos to Mr Smith for mentioning this, I am amazed at how few people review Kent magic product on here, despite happily boasting about getting it for free!! A gentlemanly round of applause for Mr Smith and pint on me next time I see you!

[Ady Croasdell]

Not sure I agree Ady, but I sort of see where you are coming from as to whether it would appeal to a wide enough audience, like Chalkster I would be at the front of the cue.

Waiting on this CD landing on my doorstep, looking forward to it immensely along with the new Jimmy Hughes one, top choices gentleman (how did you get Mr Hall to agree to anything?)

Kudos to Mr Smith for mentioning this, I am amazed at how few people review Kent magic product on here, despite happily boasting about getting it for free!! A gentlemanly round of applause for Mr Smith and pint on me next time I see you!

That's a good point about Rick Hall, five to ten years ago it all seemed like an impossibility (as did Big Top) but time changes things, as the Metros told us, and here we are with 'em both out. Never say never and stay in it for the long haul and you'll hopefully get there eventually (how many cliches?). It helped having Tony and Alec talking country to him, a language he understands.

[jocko]

That's a good point about Rick Hall, five to ten years ago it all seemed like an impossibility (as did Big Top) but time changes things, as the Metros told us, and here we are with 'em both out. Never say never and stay in it for the long haul and you'll hopefully get there eventually (how many cliches?). It helped having Tony and Alec talking country to him, a language he understands.

I also thought they were now doing their own releases too?

Whatever top top choice, any chance of some Fame deep CD's or am I being too greedy now?

Although you have now given me an uncomfortable vision of Tony in stetson slapping his thighs ) shouting yeeha when he got the rights! (sorry Mr Rounce

Edited March 5, 2010 by jocko

[Simsy]

Grew up with this record as my folks came by it in the days when folk took 45's to parties - and came home with other peoples.

42 years later, safely in my collection. Awesome vocalist Lou Johnson.

Edited March 5, 2010 by Simsy

[Chalky]

Nice thought Chalky but without the CDs they describe it would be a bit frustrating. It could make a good 200 CD box set though!

dunno about that Ady, the cd usually goes straight on the ipod so I can get me soul fix whilst working. Spending time away from home it would be a good read too. Maybe you can do a digital download of the booklets so can read on an ereader or the forthcoming Ipad?

[Bigsoulman]

Grew up with this record as my folks came by it in the days when folk took 45's to parties - and came home home with other peoples.

42 years later, safely in my collection. Awesome vocalist Lou Johnson.

Beauty that Ian

Lenny

[Mark Bicknell]

CDKEND 333

Just spent the past couple of days playing through the latest Kent CD highlighting Lou's career at Big Top and Big Hill, If, like me you dig the big city sound of Mid-Sixties New York then this set is definitely for you. From Lou's reading of Bacharach & David's "Reach Out For Me" through to the previously unreleased extended version of "Unsatisfied", (worth buying the CD for this alone, I remember Tim Ash putting this on tape for me years ago and I'd completely forgotten about it). Via his biggest hits, which were both subsequently covered and outsold by UK artists, (Sandie Shaw & Adam Faith) and containing unreleased gems, including his take of "The Panic Is On", It seems remarkable there hasn't been a retrospective before, which seems criminal considering Lou's talent for interpreting the songs contained here.

A labour of love for Ady you can tell, and as expected the usual high standard CD booklet full of rare scans and information, the sound quality is crystal clear, so full marks to Ady and all at Ace towers for another outstanding set.

[Jaco]

Amazing vocalist .

"The last one to be loved" - one of my all time favourites.

Well done to all those at Kent for putting this together.