Poll: Version Battle - Not My Girl

[Mike]

This time around we see a Detroit classic squaring up to an once unreleased contender (poll suggested by @Steve S 60)

Johnny Hampton vs The Platters - Not My Girl

All you need to do is just listen and vote... and if up for it pass on reasons, memories, trivia etc etc
 

The Platters - Not My Girl

 

Johnny Hampton - Not My Girl

 

[Paul R]

I find Johnny Hampton a bit of a downer. When I first heard the Platters it was wow!, The backing singers lift the whole feel of the song to a happier more upbeat level.

Paul

[Ben Owen]

Johnny Hampton for me.

[Guest]

There both great, but I have really liked  the Johnny Hampton since I heard it at one of my first nights at Wigan Casino!

Edited May 13, 2018 by Guest

[Mal C]

Johnny for me as well, I have the platters 45 from going to that years anniversary, but I would love an original of Johnny Hampton. 

Think the more sparse no backing singers feel of Johnny’s version gives it  a tad more to the ear, and I love his voice:-) that platters you tube link was recorded far too fast to really make that version sound right though...

Mal 

Edited May 13, 2018 by Mal C

[Tomangoes]

I think I heard the JH version around 1978 at Cleggy WG.

Was it discovered/played anywhere else much before then? I got the bootleg at the time because it was a top top tune........and still is.

JH for me.........moody and soulful singing by a guy whose baby has been rumoured to be 'running around'.........and obviously he hopes she would 'never be that way'. Probably more in hope than expectation:)

Ed

 

[Amsterdam Russ]

I like both and can't favour one over the other. Is there the possibility of having "I like them equally" as a third option rather than having to make a decision?

[David Meikle]

The Kent 45 correctly dates the Platters recording year as 1966.

It is worth reading the history of the recording studio as told by co-owner Ralph Terrana.

They all came. Harry Balk, Ollie McLaughlin, Ed Wingate, Clay McMurray, Theo-Coff, Don Juan Mancha, Popcorn Wylie, John Rhys Eddins, Mike Terry, Jack Ashford, George McGregor, Holland/ Dozier/Holland, Mike Valvano, Armen
Boladian, Bob Babbit, Columbia Records, Elektra Records, Stax Records, Capitol Records and many I can't think of. 

https://soulfuldetroit.com/web03-terashirma/01-tera shirma - introduction.htm

 

Edited May 14, 2018 by David Meikle
Added text

[Mike]

6 hours ago, Russell Gilbert said:

I like both and can't favour one over the other. Is there the possibility of having "I like them equally" as a third option rather than having to make a decision?

nah not really Russell, the poll also shows on the main front page of the site and other places,  so an extra  "I like them equally" field starts getting a bit unweildy, it may affect the layout depending on choices and for me doesn't really fit in with the quick just a 'bit of fun' approach. If people can't decide then suggest (as happens) that they can use the comments to say so

Cheers

mike

[Mgm 1251]

...I too, picked my copy up of The Platters from that years anniversary,(reversed labels!),and this was the version I had heard first....so it’s The platters version for me,but JH a close 2nd...

[Ian Stacey]

platters  .just a better rendition 

[John Siret]

Both great but the Platters is the better vocal. 

[Guest Spain pete]

All about the earthy ness in Johnny's for me, great voice to boot ! .

[Amsterdam Russ]

3 hours ago, mike said:

nah not really Russell, the poll also shows on the main front page of the site and other places,  so an extra  "I like them equally" field starts getting a bit unweildy, it may affect the layout depending on choices and for me doesn't really fit in with the quick just a 'bit of fun' approach. If people can't decide then suggest (as happens) that they can use the comments to say so

Cheers

mike

Fair enough. 

Much like others on here, I got The Platters 45 down at the 100 Club. Heard it more often than Johnny Hampton because Ady was playing it there regularly prior to the anniversary 45 and the release of the Kent LP on which it appeared. 

Although a fabulous tune, I've never been so keen on the stereo mix, which - to these ears at least - make the track sound as if it was recorded in an empty concert hall.

By contrast, Johnny Hampton I had on a boot - and on a cassette - and always thought the track sounded very muddy; although that's really down to the quality of the merchandise I had. In spite of that, the rawness, lack of polish and the sense of urgency in the vocal delivery make this a great record.

If somehow you could blend the polish of The Platters with the more rough and ready sound of Johnny Hampton, then you'd have the perfect version - one that takes the best elements of both versions.

 

[Girdwoodinc]

Platters for me due to the backing vocals, just takes it to another level - need to look mine out as it's been ages since I played it

[Speedlimit]

Johnny Hampton all the way remember Sam first playing this along with delites and debonair es.   In late 77-78 He hammered it for months  one of the true great detroit sides

[Mark B]

Johnny Hampton 2 reasons one its just a rawer dance track and two probably because I heard johnnys version first years ago

[Mike]

coming to the end, thanks to all again for taking part

looks like a winner though a vote or two could stillchange things, change it to a near run thing or maybe an overwhelming victory.... last 24 hours or so!

my take... I  knew Johnnys version first and to me its one of those that sounds a lot better out than in (at home) so The Platters takes my vote as sounds great both out and in

while here just for trivia sake here's the instrumental version

 

[Tomangoes]

Great for the Karaoke...........

I could clear a room in seconds belting this out.

Ed

[Mike]

2 hours ago, tomangoes said:

Great for the Karaoke...........

I could clear a room in seconds belting this out.

Ed

someone wants to dub that vicar of dibley guy on to it

[Mike]

ok now closed

Johnny the winner with a resounding 69% to 31%

thanks to all who talk part!