of all the hearts (to break why mine ?) who, when & why

[Tlscapital]

Always seem logical to me that the Black & Blue was to be first in line as they sing the song as it was their own. They totaly embody it naturally. While the Deceptions version is plainly deceptive. Only hardened collectors without better ear discernement won't hear that. Now the Deceptions group re-birth name Peace, Justice & Equality versions does it modern and better. But my question now surrounds who does the song belongs to ? As no name nor the licence registration in the credit matches. Like there must be a story behind the tune and respective recordings and releases... Supposedly the Game dates from 1971, the Brooks from 1972 and the Stone Gold 1976.

[Guest]

Hi Tiscapital, The Black & Blue would be my preferred choice as well. The record is a prized possession as far as I am concerned.

According to John Lias' magnificent 'Spinning Around: A History of the Soul Volume 2' which was a landmark in soul writing IMO, the song was written by one Daniel Goldstone (who is surely also Duke Hall). As you say it appeared first as a 45 by Black & Blue a mixed race group in which Goldstone was a member. I 'd say it's him again on the Deceptions version.

Goldstone was next a member of 'Peace, Justice & Equality'. The song reappears on their first album 'It's Time' with the same intro as on the Deceptions' Brooks 45 but with a noticeably different mix. The album is heavy with strong ballads and boring, dated dance cuts.

Fast forward some fifteen years and John Lias' book reveals an album by Danny Gold (aka Goldstone) and a fourth version of this great song. It's lo-fi but the lovely melody shines through.

 

Edited October 19, 2022 by Dukeofburgundy

[Guest]

I just checked on You Tube to see if there was a Danny Gold link and unlikely as it seems Gold cut a fifth version, as recently as 2012. Here it is.

 

[Tlscapital]

44 minutes ago, Dukeofburgundy said:

Hi Tiscapital, The Black & Blue would be my preferred choice as well. The record is a prized possession as far as I am concerned.

According to John Lias' magnificent 'Spinning Around: A History of the Soul Volume 2' which was a landmark in soul writing IMO, the song was written by one Daniel Goldstone (who is surely also Duke Stone). As you say it appeared first as a 45 by Black & Blue a mixed race group in which Goldstone was a member. I 'd say it's him again on the Deceptions version.

Goldstone was next a member of 'Peace, Justice & Equality'. The song reappears on their first album 'It's Time' with the same intro as on the Deceptions' Brooks 45 but with a noticeably different mix. The album is heavy with strong ballads and boring, dated dance cuts.

Fast forward some fifteen years and John Lias' book reveals an album by Danny Gold (aka Goldstone) and a fourth version of this great song. It's lo-fi but the lovely melody shines through.

 

Every since I got my old copy from Dave Whiters 30 years ago it remained a firm favorite for my 'home alone' music sessions as with guest it doesn't get the attention it deserves I find. A nod to the best... Idiots. Now I finally manage to get one or two spare copies (cheap enough for them to take home) and get use to the magic of this magistral tune on their system. Next time I'll play it they'll go Yeah ! Yep they know I'm a record pusher man. And now they tend to follow a bit more my recommandations as opposed to their previous few years ago you had a copy of that for sale would by any chance... My expected annoying answer always ; NO !

OK now but the Black & Blue composition credits go to a Duke Hall whose name reapears on the presumably single issued a year before by the O'Kaysions 'watch out girl' on Cotillion. So is it likely that this Duke Hall is Daniel 'Duke' Goldstone under an older pseudo ? For some reasons I'm sceptical on that possibility. But could be proven wrong. The Duke Hall things all took place in North Carolina where the Deceptions 45 hailed from Virginia... But then even though what's behind the composition credit change ? Then the registered BMI publisher's right even differs. Daniel Goldstone singing it 4 or 5 times through 5 decades implies it's his indeed !

Edited October 19, 2022 by Tlscapital

[Still Diggin]

Would have thought if Hall and Goldstone were the same person then we would have been treated to a stronger production straight out of the reflection studios when Duke Hall was working with Ron Henderson ! could be wrong, but the only connection I see is Hall produced the Black & Blue and somehow managed to get credited as writer.

[Tlscapital]

OK, we can say that Duke Hall is definetaly not Duke Stone. We agree on that. Daniel 'Duke' Goldstone as singer and composer worked together with Duke Hall on the Black & Blue 'of all the hearts' project but something went wrong between those two along the process.

Duke Hall the producer of the record then pulled the sheets all to his side (as composer) while Daniel Goldstone took it on his term and went to claim to the world that this composition was actualy his by singing it anytime (4 times) he could set foot in a recording studio.

[Still Diggin]

If you pay a visit to the discogs site and search for seller familyofgold you can purchase Daniel Golstones product, including the nice pleading ballad ' I,m alone' which I remember buying in the early 90's, I did contact him when he re-cut 'Of all the hearts to break' on the red/white 12" and he did have some info regarding the various takes of the song, but sadly I no longer have that detail to hand, he was actively doing stuff in the buisness and 'full of beans'. 

[Tlscapital]

10 hours ago, Still Diggin said:

If you pay a visit to the discogs site and search for seller familyofgold you can purchase Daniel Golstones product, including the nice pleading ballad ' I,m alone' which I remember buying in the early 90's, I did contact him when he re-cut 'Of all the hearts to break' on the red/white 12" and he did have some info regarding the various takes of the song, but sadly I no longer have that detail to hand, he was actively doing stuff in the buisness and 'full of beans'. 

Found them there. Thanks for the lead. They are responsible for the 2019 reissue of the Deceptions 45 that they offer at a price (!!!) with the lead singer signature if wanted. Cute. Now I might be so bold to ask them what's the bitter story behind that Black & Blue 45 but not without a purchase. To do that I'll have wait a little to figure how to fly it over here without breaking the bank.

[John Benson]

I seem to recall Paul Capon bought copies of the Black & Blue 45, including a number of white test pressings from Duke Hall in the 90s.

Maybe he can elaborate on this?

[Tlscapital]

9 hours ago, John Benson said:

I seem to recall Paul Capon bought copies of the Black & Blue 45, including a number of white test pressings from Duke Hall in the 90s.

Maybe he can elaborate on this?

Ok thanks for that. I'll try to ask Paul if he can recall anything if ever he did ask... Those single sided white label pressings are still floating around BTW.

That would be fab to have both Duke Hall and Daniel Goldstone versions in parallel for everyone to make up where lies the truth... Likely intertwined.