Shrine: The Alternative Theory
some Shrine recordings did indeed go up in flames
Shrine - a view from the other side
After posting Andy Rix's original version sleeve notes from the kent cd, andrew hamilton got in touch, and gave this other view on one of the legendary northern labels, andrew h hailing from cleveland USA is a regular contributor to mags such as skm, a reviewer of soul cds for many outlets, has been involved on the soul recording side his name appears on many soul sides as writing credits, and is a main fighter in raising american awareness on soul singers who apart from regonition by uk soul fans, have largely been ignored
I had to write you after reading the Eddie Singleton/Shrine story. I found it informative and interesting but full of fantasy. Dont get me wrong I love reading these type stories. Its just that Singleton tries to make Shrine seem like a big deal when in fact it was colossal bust. I would love to see evidence of Shrines so called "local hits," in the Tri-State area, some radio survey charts or something, the fact that Eddie stated he pressed up 2,500 copies of each release. Where did they go? Surely not to any jocks in Cleveland; no Shrine recording ever got played in this area, not even on the weekend and college stations. I doubt very seriously if they made any type of impression in the D.C./Baltimore area. The building that warehoused some Shrine recordings did indeed go up in flames. Ive heard most of the Shrine material and to be blunt the stuff was weak compared to what other labels were putting out at that time. Even payola wouldnt have help much, they simply werent in the pocket.
They are interesting to listen to now on tape and CD, but have you ever heard a Shrine 45? Hell, most people have never even seen one. The only person who went on to become something from Shrine was Keni St. Lewis, who later wrote for the Sylvers, the Jacksons, Tavares, and others. How do you think Motowns Quality Control department would have rated the Shrine Recordings? My guess is most would still be unreleased and buried ass-deep in a vault somewhere. But this is the beauty of Northern Soul and old obscure tracks, the story behind the record is always more interesting than the record itself. Berry or Nat Tarnapol didnt have to put any barriers up to stifled Shrine. Shrine stifled itself. Listen to what was being released at that time then listen to the Shrine stuff. Which would you buy? If you were a DJ, which would you play? Ive talked to numerous people in the D. C./Baltimore area who have never heard of Shrine, it artists, or recall hearing any of the songs on the radio.
Im talking about people age 40 to 60. Which isnt saying much cause most Clevelanders have never heard of Jessie Fisher, Lou Ragland, Johnny Moore, Cleveland Robinson, the Soul Notes, Fred Towles, the Sensations, and numerous others. Thank you Lord for not making me a music frontrunner, I love the experience of picking up the old and obscure at flea markets or second hand stores and discovering sounds I enjoy, admiring the label, and checking the writers and producers credits.
Its a rush Ill continue to seek til the day I die.
Andrew Hamilton
site note 2011
this was posted in 2003 in reply to this article
Shrine -The full and first issue story by Andy Rix in Soul Music Articles added February 22, 2001
see below for link
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