Wiggyflat Posted August 4, 2013 Posted August 4, 2013 (edited) Going through some old sixties music mags and it struck me what a stir this record made...Guy Stevens reckons it sold 70,000 copies after the the pink Island release. Edited August 4, 2013 by wiggyflat
Roburt Posted August 4, 2013 Posted August 4, 2013 (edited) "Harlem Shuffle" was a top UK mod / soul club play from 'Day One' of it's UK release in July 65. From then on for about 3+ years it continued to sell well on Sue. It was reissued in Feb 69 on Island and made the UK Top 10 pop charts in April 69. Then of course, it was re-released yet again in 1971 on Jay Boy and in 1973 & 76 on Contempo. Later in the 70's it escaped on Old Gold. Not bad for a 45 that never once made the US pop charts (though it made the R&B charts at the end of 63 / early 64). The Rolling Stones of course took the song back into the UK charts later on still (1986). ........ loads of other cover versions out there too , including this one ........ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTd6Pz8yIbs Edited August 4, 2013 by Roburt
Roburt Posted August 4, 2013 Posted August 4, 2013 (edited) "Harlem Shuffle" was supposedly inspired by Round Robins "Slauson Shuffle Time" ...... the instro version of this ................... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfsiWvMpd8c See here .... Edited August 4, 2013 by Roburt
Roburt Posted August 4, 2013 Posted August 4, 2013 TEXT OFF a YOUTUBE post ............... ITS 1970,I'M IN THE SHADES CLUB IN NORTHAMPTON ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON, BOB CUBAN "THE CHEATER" IS JUST ENDING, SOMEONE SHOUTS OVER ''HEY BRICK ITS ON NEXT'',THE DJ GLEN BELLAMY PUTS ON HARLEM SHUFFLE, I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ,I PUT DOWN MY COKE WITH A SLICE OF LEMON ON TOP,AND GET UP TO DANCE ,THERE ARE ONLY SIX OR SEVEN OTHER KIDS IN THE PLACE, BUT WE ARE ALL KEEN, I GET LOST IN THIS SOUND, WHERE I GO THERE ARE NO WORRIES, THAT'S FOR THE STRAIGHT WORLD ,AND 'IM NOT PART OF THAT, I'M PART OF THIS, BLACK AMERICA IS ALL I KNOW, AND ALL I WANT TO KNOW, IN ENGLAND'S GREEN AND CLEAR LAND, WHAT I COULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THEN,WAS THAT I WOULD BE IN HARLEM TWENTY YEARS LATER IN THIS HOSPITAL BED, LOOKING OUT OF THE WINDOW AT THE FOLKS PASSING BY,YES I KNOW ALL SIDES OF THE HARLEM SHUFFLE. .........another later UK version ......... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1lMnAXgHiU
Guest Paul Posted August 4, 2013 Posted August 4, 2013 Nice topic. Apart from being a big seller for Bob & Earl the song also had many cover versions over the years - and some samples - so Bob Relf and Earl Nelson both did quite well from royalties and fees as writers. Sadly there were some writer / publisher disputes over the years which damaged some old relationships (no need to discuss details) but thankfully they resolved those issues in the end and all parties were able to benefit. Bob was thrilled when the Rolling Stones office sent him a copy of a Rolling Stones songbook which featured "Harlem Shuffle" and had been signed for him by all group members. He was quite ill at the time and was obviously very proud of it. Not long before he passed away in 2007 Bob had an emotional reunion with Earl Nelson who was also ill (he died about eight months after Bob). They hadn't seen each other for a few years and they both knew it would be the last time. One of the things that kept Bob's spirits up during the later part of his illness was the dream of a return visit to the UK. It obviously wasn't going to happen and I'm sure Bob knew that but he still talked about it all the time. Sorry for going a bit off-topic but it's nice that they both earned money from the song and shared some proud memories. Paul
Roburt Posted August 4, 2013 Posted August 4, 2013 (edited) Paul, it (the song) must have been featured in a (some?) feature film / TV ad / TV show down the years. Can you list any of them ? Edited August 4, 2013 by Roburt
Guest Paul Posted August 4, 2013 Posted August 4, 2013 (edited) Paul, it (the song) must have been featured in a (some?) feature film / TV ad / TV show down the years. Can you list any of them ? Hello John "Harlem Shuffle" (or portions of it) has definitely been featured in films. Sorry I don't have any details but Bob's mother Idabelle told me they'd had income from sync deals - presumably movies or adverts. The only film deal I know about for Bob Relf is when 'Blowing My Mind To Pieces' was featured in Clubbed. The director knew Bob was ill and that it was a proud moment so he used the track in full over the end credits and dedicated the film to Bob.That was nice but sadly Bob died before the film was released. Paul Edited August 4, 2013 by Paul
purist Posted August 5, 2013 Posted August 5, 2013 I could be wrong but the JayBoy release wasn't exactly a reissue (because it was a different, slower, meatier, take ??? or was it just messed up in the mastering ?? ) also another note worth making is that the (fabulous) instrumental version only showed up on the Contempo releases I think? (the lucky Germans got a pic sleeve with their Contempo release) All others, inc non US or UK releases all seem to share the same flip (I'll Keep Running Back") Having said all that, these days I think " Oh Baby Doll " just edges it out as my favourite by the pair. 1
Kris Holmes Posted August 5, 2013 Posted August 5, 2013 i think the jay boy release is actually quicker no? in any case, it is a different version. also great though
Pete S Posted August 5, 2013 Posted August 5, 2013 Hello John "Harlem Shuffle" (or portions of it) has definitely been featured in films. Sorry I don't have any details but Bob's mother Idabelle told me they'd had income from sync deals - presumably movies or adverts. The only film deal I know about for Bob Relf is when 'Blowing My Mind To Pieces' was featured in Clubbed. The director knew Bob was ill and that it was a proud moment so he used the track in full over the end credits and dedicated the film to Bob.That was nice but sadly Bob died before the film was released. Paul House Of Pain nicked the intro for Jump Around - that must have sold millions
Gene-r Posted August 6, 2013 Posted August 6, 2013 House Of Pain nicked the intro for Jump Around - that must have sold millions And a church bell version of that intro is currently used on the Mars bar advert - the one with the three monks / bellringers.
shelly Posted August 16, 2013 Posted August 16, 2013 Jackie Lee's version on the album The Duck is far faster than the original Bob&Earl recording, amazing that this version never got played as it's f**king awesome!Shelly
Roburt Posted August 17, 2013 Posted August 17, 2013 A Bob & Earl cut ("Don't Ever Leave Me") included on this new 2fer CD set ....... ... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soul-The-West-Coast-Volume/dp/tracks/B00DQF1XBQ/ref=dp_tracks_all_2#disc_2
AlanB Posted August 17, 2013 Posted August 17, 2013 Jackie Lee's version on the album The Duck is far faster than the original Bob&Earl recording, amazing that this version never got played as it's f**king awesome! Shelly Is this the track (Jackie Lee solo) that got issued on Jayboy attributed to Bob & Earl?
kevinsoulman Posted August 17, 2013 Posted August 17, 2013 (edited) Is this the track (Jackie Lee solo) that got issued on Jayboy attributed to Bob & Edited August 17, 2013 by kevinsoulman
kevinsoulman Posted August 17, 2013 Posted August 17, 2013 Is this the track (Jackie Lee solo) that got issued on Jayboy attributed to Bob & Earl? yes this one kev https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IinorkUj74M
shelly Posted August 18, 2013 Posted August 18, 2013 (edited) yes this one kev https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IinorkUj74M Edited August 18, 2013 by shelly
shelly Posted August 18, 2013 Posted August 18, 2013 Live and learn, never new that.By the time Jayboy issued it , it was ignored as just another re issue of an oldie, don't think many realised the Jackie Lee version then.Imagine it's 4 in the morning, you've had 10 dex and this comes on......................enough said!
Tobytyke Posted August 18, 2013 Posted August 18, 2013 i find it odd that it sold 70,000 on pink island yet when i look in boxes/lists/ebay there seems to be as many sue copies. it must have sold a lot of copies!
dthedrug Posted August 18, 2013 Posted August 18, 2013 HI ALL JMMY JAMES & VAGABONDS - "A MAN LIKE ME" STATESIDE, SOLD ENOUGH TO MAKE IT A TOP 5 RECORD, HOWEVER IT WAS EXCUDED FROM THE CHARTS, BECAUSE IT HARDLY SOLD A COPY IN LONDON, :g:YOU WORK IT OUT? DAVEK
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