Alice Clark - What Do We Know?

[Dayo]

Did a search on here and elsewhere, but how come there is so little info on Alice Clark?  I mean, is that a soulful voice or what? How come she wasn't a massive star?

[Woodbutcher]

Very little ... 

 

https://acerecords.co.uk/the-complete-studio-recordings-1968-72

[Sjclement]

Overlooked that album many times in Skeleton Records Birkenhead because it didn't have You Hit Me on it £1.80 was the price!

[Paul R]

"You Hit Me" was the first sound I heard at an allnighter. Sept 73 at VaVas. I still love it, and think it really wipes the floor with Kim Westons version.

 

Paul

[Tfk]

Alice Clark Circa 1972 

Edited May 10, 2015 by tfk

[Dayo]

Thanks for the replies everyone.  I'd seen the little piece that accompanies the album release, but she is still an enigma.  Did anyone ever track her down?

Edited May 11, 2015 by Dayo

[John Benson]

Not much still known about her by the looks of it, that Ace BGP CD from 5 years back doesn't have much either.

 

https://acerecords.co.uk/the-complete-studio-recordings-1968-72

[Dayo]

Not much still known about her by the looks of it, that Ace BGP CD from 5 years back doesn't have much either.

 

https://acerecords.co.uk/the-complete-studio-recordings-1968-72

It's weird isn't it?  We don't even know if she's still with us and yet she's made one of the outstanding albums of the seventies and one of the gold standard NS singles....

[Mal C]

Worth noting that Acid jazz in the 9ts,  and recently Kent put out sides from this LP.. the stronger being 'Don't You Care'. but followed closely by 'Never Did I Stop Loving You'.. ohh they also did a complete sessions CD which is worth getting and mentioned above BGP being part of the Ace group...

 

M

Edited May 11, 2015 by Mal C

[Kegsy]

"You Hit Me" was the first sound I heard at an allnighter. Sept 73 at VaVas. I still love it, and think it really wipes the floor with Kim Westons version.

 

Paul

 

Came off Bradford market, there were loads of copies too.

[Dean Rudland]

Not much still known about her by the looks of it, that Ace BGP CD from 5 years back doesn't have much either.

 

https://acerecords.co.uk/the-complete-studio-recordings-1968-72

The CD booklet has more info than the small bit of blurb on the website, even explains what Bill Vera thought happened to her.

But really it is bit of a mystery.

The music on the other hand is so good that the CD is one of Ace's better sellers.

[Westender]

The CD is excellent. 

 

we had a thread on Mary Gresham a while back and Alice falls into the same category of highly gifted artist who didnt record anywhere near enough, or get the breaks she deserved.

 

1968-72 with just 15 recordings.......

[Dayo]

What does the CD booklet speculate about what happened to her?

[Westender]

It simply says that the lack of sales (and I daresay a recording contract) saw her drifting away from the business. Apparently  she has not been heard of since her final recordings. Its a bit vague unfortunately but it does look as if she simply took herself out of the music business completely. Pity but not unique in the 60s and 70s, when there were so many great singers making so many great records that not everyone could break through.

[Scotters]

I wonder if it's any coincidence that Alice Clark looks somewhat melancholy in the photos on her LP, the same with say Gloria Scott and Alex Brown looking equally blue on the cover of theirs..just another two examples of an outstanding LP and couple 45s each, then nothing, albeit for reasons better documented in those cases I think. Such a shame and maybe no idea there's still people like us listening to their limited work and still getting so much pleasure each time.

[Chalky]

I have seen a post on line from her grand daughter saying Alice died in April 2004.  I couldn't find a way to respond.

[TheBigO]

This was on pin' recently, Alice in the studio and just seen her grandson sampled Don't You care for his MC rap; he's Ace Da God so that might be an avenue to get more info on her

Edited May 13, 2015 by TheBigO

[Dayo]

Thanks for all the input again everyone.

 

What a tragic story.  I know there are a ton of great singers who never made it, but Alice Clark just stands a class apart to my ears.  

 

I guess it's a good moment to salute those soul detectives who have often tracked down our heroes/heroines of the scene and allowed them to feel the love.  I'll bet there are some great stories to be told!

[TheBigO]

The feelers are out there Dayo, we shall wait and see what comes back but in agreement with you, Alice is right up there with the best. Just listened to her Lp again and forgotten just how outstanding every track is. 

[Jordirip]

This was on pin' recently, Alice in the studio and just seen her grandson sampled Don't You care for his MC rap; he's Ace Da God so that might be an avenue to get more info on her

 

Here's her Grandson's video. Guess what's playing in the background of the barber shop.

 

https://myspace.com/acedagod/video/introducing-ace-da-god/109457480

[Chalky]

I've sent messages to her grand daughter and g/son and his manager so hoping a little info will be forthcoming.

[TheBigO]

Let us pray we get some info at last and solve another mystery Chalky because scouring the net has proved very sparse! 

[Chalky]

I'm in touch with her grandson 

 

Will see how it goes but he seems cool.  Any questions you wish for me to ask?

Edited May 14, 2015 by chalky

[TheBigO]

Looking forward to update Chalky mate. Im sure you will be getting the questions thick and fast once people hear you've got a direct link to the family mate. Well done 

[Chalky]

I am currently having a good chat with her grandson, Anthony.  He does say her story is probably more amazing than her voice and that she was a selfless lady who put her loved ones before her singing, a decision she was very happy with up to her death.

 

He is willing to share her story and he will do so either through me or thorugh this site, I have given him the link which he will check out.

 

He does say he isn't sure if she was aware of her "fame" on the worldwide soul scene.

[TheBigO]

Well done mate, and hats off to Alice, sounds like she really was a decent lady given with what we know so far. Same old story, blissfully unaware that in some far off dark corner of a nighter in a wet and gloomy UK her voice and sound is bringing happiness to thousands and her LP rated as one of the true 70s great Soul albums 

[Chalky]

Anthony is going to check this site out and hopefully join and converse with you all. 

[TheBigO]

Hopefully he will get a sense straight away with the love and appreciation of his grandmas music we have 

[TheBigO]

Another studio shot from Ace records site

[Scotters]

Well done Chalky! Would be brilliant to learn more of how Alice started singing and then progressed to the LP, what happened next with her seemingly short lived career and dare I say whether there is any unreleased material lurking to be discovered...perhaps acquired and properly licensed so that her family might get some funding to continue her music legacy and memory in some way.

[TheBigO]

I vaguely recall Kitch spinning an unissued acetate credited to Alice but that could be either a cover-up or the fact there were no credits on the acetate itself so that was the name he gave it. Anyone confirm? 

[Chalky]

I vaguely recall Kitch spinning an unissued acetate credited to Alice but that could be either a cover-up or the fact there were no credits on the acetate itself so that was the name he gave it. Anyone confirm? 

 

Pretty sure an uncredited acetate, sure Kitch will confirm if he reads this.

[Guest Byrney]

Pretty sure an uncredited acetate, sure Kitch will confirm if he reads this.

Fairly certain you're right mate, cracking record.

[Jumpinjoan]

Nice work everyone, YHM is up there as one of the best records of all time, just amazing!

[Guest Dave Turner]

My fave of hers and stepping off the dance floor again is the flip of "You Hit Me"

 

Heaven's Will (Must Be Obeyed)

 

 

[TheBigO]

Thought I remembered correct re acetate, at least the memory is still there - just lol! Looking forward to hearing Alices story as Chalky confirms that the grandson says its a great one. Been playing the LP again and rediscovering just how fantastic it is, every track a winner. Soul as deep as you like and then some

[Dave Harrison]

It simply says that the lack of sales (and I daresay a recording contract) saw her drifting away from the business. Apparently  she has not been heard of since her final recordings. Its a bit vague unfortunately but it does look as if she simply took herself out of the music business completely. Pity but not unique in the 60s and 70s, when there were so many great singers making so many great records that not everyone could break through.

Sandra Wright all over again !

[richo991]

My fave of hers and stepping off the dance floor again is the flip of "You Hit Me"

 

Heaven's Will (Must Be Obeyed)

 

 

What a cracking track enjoyed reading the articles on this would defo love to read the full story

[Dayo]

My fave of hers and stepping off the dance floor again is the flip of "You Hit Me"

 

Heaven's Will (Must Be Obeyed)

 

 

 

See what I mean?  Vocally, this lady was right up there with Linda Jones.  That's a stunning piece of deep soul - what a performance.  I hope we get some more answers soon and that at least her family can know that her small output of work is highly revered all over the world.

[Dysonsoul]

My fave of hers and stepping off the dance floor again is the flip of "You Hit Me"

 

Heaven's Will (Must Be Obeyed)

 

 

 

 Good call Dave , i played this in the Jim Wray lounge at Yarmouth some years ago - a truly versatile vocalist ! Infact " You Hit Me " has always been my alltime favourite northern record it is simply perfect. This is great news re finding the family Alice Clark has been one of the true mysteries for me , along with Sam Williams. I have been searching for a 1960's black and white 8x10 promo photo (if it excists ) of her since my first trip to the states, maybe now we may at least see one !

[KevH]

"You hit me" - what a record!! Blew me away in'74,still does now.Powerful track!!

[Guest Byrney]

Although the arrangement is mind blowing, what makes YHM such an amazing record is the way the song reveals, in soul teasing fashion the true excellence of her vocals, revealing more as Alice builds up to the chorus. Also her vocal range just soars throughout. A true star.

"You hit me" - what a record!! Blew me away in'74,still does now.Powerful track!!

 

Edited May 15, 2015 by Byrney

[Robbk]

Although the arrangement is mind blowing, what makes YHM such an amazing record is the way the song reveals, in soul teasing fashion the true excellence of her vocals, revealing more as Alice builds up to the chorus. Also her vocal range just soars throughout. A true star.

Whenever I hear a non-Motown release of a Jobete Music song for which I've never heard a Motown version, I try to imagine the sound of a Funk Brothers version.  I would have guessed it would be fantastic, and much better.  When I finally heard The Kim Weston version, I was disappointed (but still like it better than the Alice Clark (as that version doesn't sound like Motown).

 

I'm still waiting to hear a Motown version of "You Turned My Bitter Into Sweet".

[Guest chorleybloke]

Thanks for all the input again everyone.

 

What a tragic story.  I know there are a ton of great singers who never made it, but Alice Clark just stands a class apart to my ears.  

 

I guess it's a good moment to salute those soul detectives who have often tracked down our heroes/heroines of the scene and allowed them to feel the love.  I'll bet there are some great stories to be told!

Fully agree Dayo... on a par with Linda Jones in my book. "You Hit Me" has been in my top 10 since I was a teenager and it always will be.  In fact I'm sticking it in the playbox right now for a spin at my next do.

[Theothertosspot]

Came off Bradford market, there were loads of copies too.

Would that be Bostock's?

They had a lot of Metro stuff, ie on MGM, Verve, etc, around 72/3 as I recall

R E Gards

Edited May 16, 2015 by theothertosspot

[KevH]

Would that be Bostock's?

They had a lot of Metro stuff, ie on MGM, Verve, etc, around 72/3 as I recall

R E Gards

 

Heard mucho about this place."Just say Goodbye" found there among many others.?

[Kegsy]

Would that be Bostock's?

They had a lot of Metro stuff, ie on MGM, Verve, etc, around 72/3 as I recall

R E Gards

 

Yes.

[Scotters]

Have really enjoyed re-listening to the Lp in its entirety this last few weeks as a result of this thread...never forgot about it, just hardly enough time in the day/night to just sit and properly listen to a whole LP without distraction or trying to do something else at the same time. Cd in the car or music in in background just not the same sometimes is it.

 

Anyway, thought I had both 45s too but turned out completely missed picking up her first release on Rainy Day, so thanks to Jason at Soulstacks today now thankfully this is on its way and I can enjoy this masterpiece on the record player soon too...

 

Alice Clark - Say you'll never (never leave me) 

 

[Dayo]

Some might be surprised to know that she had a UK release on that track: 

[TheBigO]

Any further update on Alice Chalky? Was just playing the Lp today and thought OOOOOH where we at with the digging? Still a FANTASTIC soulful celebration so if you haven't already, get yourself a copy people.