Sceneman Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 i have always been confused by old Len ,is he a blue eyed boy or just a pop records singer ?? where does he stand ? no doubt he was lucky with 123 but what if J Radcliffe had done it instead ? or by some other black singer it could have all been so different . he is on the northern compilations so that should settle it right ? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Matt Male Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 He's a rock and roll singer. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Pete S Posted January 20, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted January 20, 2014 He's an excellent blue eyed soul singer with a great production team behind him 15 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Steve G Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Yes blue eyes but by the 60's he had become part of the Philly white soul gang along with John Madara, Darrell Hall, John Oates etc etc….top guy. 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Soulstu Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I think he's got at least one foot in the soul camp - I think the backing tracks have quite a good 'big city soul' feel. His voice could do with a bit of grit that's all. He's from Philly so I guess he must have picked up on what was happening there soul wise. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Soul-slider Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 If you listen to his LP on RCA, he mentions that he is in regular contact with Smokey Robinson and they are good friends. Blue-eyed Soulster 100% Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Stateside Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 His versions of "It's a crying shame" and "I'll always need you" are excellent. To be honest, when I first heard Dean Courtney at Wigan in 73', I thought he was blued eyed soul and even Jimmy Radcliffe. Danny Wagner another great singer. As Pete says, a great production team behind him. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Labeat Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 (edited) Great blue-eyed singer Edited January 20, 2014 by Labeat Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Cunnie Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Hate the term 'blue eyed'. Len Barry's eyes were brown so why call them blue? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
BrianB Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I struck it rich, like a baby, its that time of the year, love, love, love, I, ll always need you, you baby, and the relatively new find on the kent cd say it all for me.. top, top singer, great material, with tremendous producers and musicians. I think I have missed one biggie, but am rushing this? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest JIM BARRY Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Must be because as a rule black people don't have blue eyes.... Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest JIM BARRY Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I struck it rich, like a baby, its that time of the year, love, love, love, I, ll always need you, you baby, and the relatively new find on the kent cd say it all for me.. top, top singer, great material, with tremendous producers and musicians. I think I have missed one biggie, but am rushing this? 123..... Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Labeat Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Hate the term 'blue eyed'. Len Barry's eyes were brown so why call them blue? Can I ask how you know please, have you just rung him up? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest JIM BARRY Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Jim Barry,s eyes are brown..... Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Sceneman Posted January 20, 2014 Author Share Posted January 20, 2014 i see he was sued by motown as they thought 123 a bit too similar to 'ask any girl' by the supremes so what do you reckon ? he wrote 123 so thats good enough i reckon ,and with his voice its a classic IMO . so i can sleep easy tonight . Len is in the right camp Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Benji Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Real name Leonard Borisoff. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Sheldonsoul Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 (edited) what about this version Edited January 20, 2014 by sheldonsoul 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Stateside Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 what about this version The backing has hints of "Nowhere to Run" backing track Good job it wasn't a hit! Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Dave Moore Posted January 20, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted January 20, 2014 Massively talented guy. The stuff he did with Madara/White/Wisner/Huff stands the test of time alongside many of the other Philly iconic records. Confused? No way. Quality music through and through. Regards, Dave 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Cunnie Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Can I ask how you know please, have you just rung him up?Looked on an album cover. Just google him & look in images. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Labeat Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Looked on an album cover. Just google him & look in images.Looked on an album cover. Just google him & look in images.Good bit of detective work pal, I take your word for it Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Premium Stuff Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Looked on an album cover. Just google him & look in images. Ta-dah! Cheers Richard 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Ian Dewhirst Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Funny this should come up as I've been listening to his Decca stuff over the weekend. I've actually always loved his voice as I listened to his stuff as I was growing up. The productions are just incredible too. Has anyone ever heard the album he did for Buddah in 1972 by any chance? Judging by the sleeve and the title I'm not holding my breath.........,. https://www.discogs.com/Len-Barry-Ups-And-Downs/release/5065854 Ian D Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Souljer6 Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 The man is a great writer ( add Grover Mitchell's "What Hurts" to the list). He is also a great SOUL singer. He's a natural and his adlibbing fadeouts are the greatest. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
TOAD Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Girl your so young is a goodie by len Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Biggordy Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 This is a fantastic oldie of Len's: 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Sunnysoul Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 An incredibly talented singer and songwriter and a 100% soul man, regardless of the colour of his skin. Growing up as a jewish kid in a black neighbourhood in Philadelphia, he's always viewed himself and his life as part of the black experience. He even wrote a book a few years ago titled "Black Like Me" 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Pete S Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 His version of You Baby is a cracker as well 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Jerry Hipkiss Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 And don't forget his involvement with Fat Larry's Band and the WMOT set up in the late 70's/early 80's... 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Stockholmsoulfox Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 so we like him then?.... Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Souljer6 Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 I LOVE HIM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Soulhawk1960 Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 I'm not bothered what he is but I really enjoy most of the songs he has recorded. 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Geoff Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 He was the lead singer of the Dovells who had several hits in the USA before the "British invasion", Bristol Stomp, You Can't Sit Down, Hully Gully Baby. I've got one on a CD by him on Cameo Parkway, Hearts Are Trump, which is nice but I've never heard it played out. Presume it was before 1-2-3. Just played 1-2-3 on YouTube, I'm not at home, and it took me right back to the Scene and when I was 19, loved that record, always got up for it. And does it really matter what ethnicity he is? It's the music that counts surely. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Zanetti Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) i have always been confused by old Len ,is he a blue eyed boy or just a pop records singer ?? where does he stand ? no doubt he was lucky with 123 but what if J Radcliffe had done it instead ? or by some other black singer it could have all been so different . he is on the northern compilations so that should settle it right ? ... And Len Wade - Bossbeat Edited January 21, 2014 by Zanetti Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Dave Turner Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 ... And Len Wade - Bossbeat Are you saying Len Wade is Len Barry ? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
ajb Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Funny this should come up as I've been listening to his Decca stuff over the weekend. I've actually always loved his voice as I listened to his stuff as I was growing up. The productions are just incredible too. Has anyone ever heard the album he did for Buddah in 1972 by any chance? Judging by the sleeve and the title I'm not holding my breath.........,. https://www.discogs.com/Len-Barry-Ups-And-Downs/release/5065854 Ian D Funnily enough i found a copy of this the other week in oxfam, couple of quid in mint condition. not got round to playing it though. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Zanetti Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Are you saying Len Wade is Len Barry ? nope ... question was if someone knows what is Len Wade ... blue-eyed aswell ? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Dave Turner Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) nope ... question was if someone knows what is Len Wade ... blue-eyed aswell ? Dunno about blue eyes but he was and still is white https://redkelly.blogspot.co.uk/2007/08/tikis-vocal-by-len-wade-minaret-111.html It Comes And It Goes (Dial) is one of the blackest sounding "white" records one is likely to hear Edited January 21, 2014 by Dave Turner Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Paul Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Len Wade is definitely white and 'It Comes And It Goes' is one of my all-time favourite deep soul ballads. I really can't think of a more convincing soul performance by a white man. Paul Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Sceneman Posted January 21, 2014 Author Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) that 123 single is ethereal and seems to come from somewhere on high ,its stretching it a bit for motown to claim it was a copoff of the Supremes 45 and they have credits on the title now . the confusion set in many years ago at a party when the record was played some herbert claimed it wasnt soul and turned off the music and we nearly came to blows Edited January 21, 2014 by sceneman 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Jordirip Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Len Wade is definitely white and 'It Comes And It Goes' is one of my all-time favourite deep soul ballads. I really can't think of a more convincing soul performance by a white man. Paul It's funny, the 'It Comes and it goes' side sounds really classic black, deep soul, but my favourite side is the flip 'Whatcha gonna do' where he sounds a lot lighter in voice, not unlike Little Anthony. They could be two different singers to my ears. Great 45 though. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
John Benson Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Jordi just beat me to it, while reading through the Red Kelly blog. A great two sider indeed by Len Wade, the official A side "Whatcha gonna do" is also not to be missed 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Zanetti Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Dunno about blue eyes but he was and still is white https://redkelly.blogspot.co.uk/2007/08/tikis-vocal-by-len-wade-minaret-111.html It Comes And It Goes (Dial) is one of the blackest sounding "white" records one is likely to hear yep thx ... nice work Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
BrianB Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 123..... Give me some credit Jim....No it was I'm in Love. Thanks anyway, Brian Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Dobber Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) I'm well into Len Barry stuff,however his voice sounds weak sometimes,compared to the likes of Steve marriott or steve winwood,I suppose lens voice is more of a silky sound! He is like a Cary Grant with a soul...haha Edited January 21, 2014 by dobber Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Labeat Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 In my view, 123, Like a Baby and I struck it Rich should have been candidatesfor Top of the Pops as was Wayne Gibson... Under my Thumb, yet they are allclassed as "Northern" which puzzles me! My take on Northern seems differentto some folk, having said that I shall now listen to Lens lesser known stuffand come to a conclusion. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest penny Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) Top man, his version of 36-22-36 with the dovells is great although it shows his vocal limitations but I love his 'rainy side of the street' and dont get why it's not a classic. has the feel of 'wrong man' and contains the line 'I'm so befuddled just walking around in them puddles'... superb Edited January 21, 2014 by penny Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Pete S Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 In my view, 123, Like a Baby and I struck it Rich should have been candidates for Top of the Pops as was Wayne Gibson... Under my Thumb, yet they are all classed as "Northern" which puzzles me! My take on Northern seems different to some folk, having said that I shall now listen to Lens lesser known stuff and come to a conclusion. Theres the rub as they say: "123" is pop, but if it hadn't charted and only sold a few copies, it would be "northern soul". If you see what I mean. The actual sound is 100% northern. 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Marc Forrest Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) Len Barry, his "1-2-3" was the first Soulsong I listened to outside Motown, also amongst the first 45s I ever found. All his Decca 45s came with nice looking picture sleeves here in Germany. His ex-drummer who can be heared on all his Decca recordings used to live in Berlin. I interviewed him in 1988/89. He was in a soulband over here. Wonder what ever happened to him.. Edited January 21, 2014 by Marc Forrest Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Labeat Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Theres the rub as they say: "123" is pop, but if it hadn't charted and only sold a few copies, it would be "northern soul". If you see what I mean. The actual sound is 100% northern.Er Peter, I get easily puzzled... "123" is Pop but its 100% Northern??? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
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