Geoff

Reckon he is one of the most underrated soul singers. I remember when Duke Of Earl came out, number one in the USA, not really used to much doo wop over here then. I thought he would be a one hit wonder, but he went on to be a sublime soul singer. Incredibly difficult to pick a favourite. Nothing Can Stop Me, Good Times and A Song Called Soul will always take me back to the Scene. Great dancers. Love his ballads like What Now, Bless Our Love and Think Nothing About It. He seemed, like Major Lance, to work so well with Curtis Mayfield. I guess my favourite dance tracks would be Bet You Never Thought and I Can Take Care Of Myself; and I really like Without You Here, as played by Steve Plumb on Mark Bicknell's radio show, magnificent imo.

If this was played at a Northern night I think the DJ would be lynched, lol. I haven't got that much experience of Modern Soul do's, only MonuMental and New Chapter, so don't know how it would go down, but not for me personally, I'd call it sacrilege.

I hadn't heard her version of this song before, excellent. Thanks for posting and to everyone else who posted tracks too. Just love female soul singers, really hard to pick favourites as there are so many. But my favourite record is Almeta Latimore's These Memories, just sets me off everytime I hear it. The Sandra Wright one is great too. How about Gloria Scott's Too Much Love Making, something about that one? Is there a best of Linda Jones CD available? I've heard some great stuff by her. At Cleethorpes on Sunday Ginger finished his set with her Just Can't Live My Life, brilliant.

I seem to recall that Janet, whom some of you on the London soul scene many know, changed clothes about 7 times at the Soul In The City all dayer at the Valatone a couple of years ago. Anyone else remember that?

I heard Alice Fowkes play this track at Stow-A-Way Soul a few months ago. Quite amazed to hear it actually, I remember it when I was at school. It was called rock'n'roll then, but what's in a name? As has been said, based on What'cha Gonna Do by Chuck Willis. Ronnie's backing group was the Hawks, who later became Levon & The Hawks, and later the Band. Alice played his version of Mary Lou, the Young Jesse record recently. I've never been to the Hideaway unfortunately, but it is the sort of track I'd expect to hear there. So Gene, will you be playing this at Solid Hit Soul on Friday?

QUOTE(FrankM @ May 27 2006, 03:19 PM) That's an old criticism applied by soulies who didn't like that fact that he was popular and preferred their music filtered through the Detroit Strings and Motown's Quality control. Amongst Otis's endearing faults were half learning other people's songs thereafter repeating the first verse and chorus throughout the song. As he released four live albums he appears to have spent half his time on stage testifying. Although he was a superb live artist who really connected with UK audiences. He enjoyed himself on stage, did not take himself too seriously but could break your heart with the next song. On the other hand his use of brass as a choral background and the response to his call provided some wonderful moments on record. E.g. Fa fa fa fa Sad song and Call me Mr. Pitiful. He was fond of borrowing other people's songs but usually applied a twist and came at them with a different perspective. e.g. Lowell Fullson's Tramp which Otis turned into a memorable duet with Carla Thomas, Sam Cooke's Yeah man which he turned into Sweet Soul Music for Arthur Conley. Most of Otis's recordings do not fit in the traditional northern templates but with Loving by the Pound being played out and the increasing influence of R&B Love Man has been picked up (I blame Dirty Dancing). I'm sure younger DJ's without the prejudices will pick up other stuff like his versions of Shake, Papa's got a brand new bag and 634 5789. Well said, that man. 'd been looking for the right words to come to Otis' defence myself, but you seem to have found them all. Especially where his horn arrangements were concerned (and the one on his marvellous version of "Higher Than Higher" is of premium quality). Having said that, I do realise that only a very few of his sides are likely to appeal to the Northern-only fan - but any deep soul fans who summarily turn their nose up at Otis (as many of them seem to do) are worthy of considerable scorn. The man made some of the genre's most stellar recordings. How could anyone not fail to be perpetually moved by the likes of "Good To Me", "I Love You More Than Words Can Say", "I've Got Dreams To Remember" or "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)"? As you say, Otis' accessibility and popularity damned him in the eyes of the same people who clasp James Carr, O.V. Wright and their ilk to their collective bosom and bang on about how much better they are than Otis. The simple fact is that these, and other equally brilliant artists in the deep soul genre are not better than Otis, although many are as good and that's a huge complement to their talents. And I have no doubt whatsoever that they would have been among the first to tell you that they were not better than Otis, had you asked them during their lifetimes. People who dismiss Otis Redding's work out of hand today, just aren't listening... TONE I absolutely agree with these comments. Otis was a great soul singer, surely one of the best of all time. I often smile when I hear him getting the words slightly wrong, Lesley used to say it was one of his charms. An enthusiast for the songs (especially of Sam Cooke) but who got so carried away he got the lyrics wrong. I can still remember the first time I heard I've Been Loving You Too Long, some time before it was issued in the UK. It just knocked me sideways, the lyrics were so true for me at that time. Also love his version of A Change Is Gonna Come, he gets the words wrong but the emotion is so strong. One of the great deep soul singers imo. Also a good producer, Baby Cakes by Loretta Young. I saw him at Finsbury Park when he toured (was it 66 or 67?). He was brilliant on stage, I can still see him in my mind striding up and down the stage, did a lot of his songs faster than the record, but most seemed to do that then. Years ago I saw a film of the Stax revue live in Paris. I've always wanted to get that as it brought back great memories. Anyone on here know anything about it? Probably too raw and Southern generally for the Northern scene but worth delving into for those who don't know his material.

I love enders, especially the beat ballad type. So many to choose from but enjoyed hearing Lenny Welch's Run To My Loving Arms at NMD alldayer a few weeks ago. Also would like to hear Bobby Bennett's Alone With My Tears as an ender, perhaps Solid Hit Soul? These Memories by Almeta Latimore is a great one for a Modern type night.

Surely the Geno Washington who sings If This Isn't Love is not the same Geno Washington of Ram Jam band fame? The GW of If This Isn't Love is a Detroit singer, or so I was told (doesn't he do Like A Baby, hear that quite often at SITC); while the other GW, who is currently touring the UK I think was a GI who settled here in the 60s. Or have I got it all wrong? Wouldn't be the first time.

"The instrumental of "Crying Time" is superb northern soul too." I like this one too, not as much as the vocal, but a great dance track. However it always seems to jump at least once.

I've not heard the Unifics track referred to so can't comment on it. However I must admit to remembering Tell Laura I Love Her when I was at school. Original, and best version, is by Ray Peterson, covered in the UK by Ricky Valance (number 1 hit) and John Leyton. Death discs were rather popular at that time, especially in the USA, e.g. Teen Angel by Mark Dinning and Ebony Eyes by the Everly Brothers. Ray Peterson later did Give Us Your Blessing, another death song, later covered by the Shangri-Las. Twinkle did Terry, about a guy on a motorcycle in this country, about 63 or 64, seem to remember her on Ready Steady Go, thought it rather bizarre singing about motorbikes on a tv show ostensibly for Mods. Later hits in the USA in this style included Patches by Dickie Lee and I Want My Baby Back, can't remember who did it at the moment. I think that was the nail in the coffin (no joke intended) of the genre, if I recall correctly a slight hint of necrophilia. Terribly embarrassed to admit that I loved the song by Ray Peterson, as my wife used to say, what a wimp!!! If I can do it I will try to post a file of it over the weekend. I would reckon 99.9 per cent of Soul Sourcers will loathe it. The follow up was called Tell Tommy I Miss Him, but I can't remember who sang it. I apologise for another trip down memory lane.

"today i've been pluggin' myself into sam dees, okay not yer actual wigany floor filler but soul oozes as free as the insides of a big mac when you take that first bite!!!" Surely one of the greatest deep soul records of all time. Must be heartbreaking to hear this when going through relationship breakup or divorce. I hadn't heard of him before hearing this track, and although I've heard some good ones by him, none match this.

Pete Hulatt played More Love on Friday night at Solid Hit Soul, nice to hear it. It's a track that most soul people like, doesn't seem to matter what genre is their preference. On the subject of Mike Raven, Lesley and I used to go to Bluesville, Manor House in North London when he DJ'd there on Wednesday nights, 66/67. We always used to enjoy it, he played all the big soul tracks of the time, and sometimes got imports quite early. I used to get the Record Mirror, and had just read that Wilson Pickett had recorded Land Of A Thousand Dances, so was delighted when later that evening he played it. Also still got the American disk of Little Darlin' by Marvin, which he played and offered to the first person up to the front, zoomed up there and got it. Happy carefree days.

"Geoff, album was called "Reflections of" and songs were recorded as love songs in the way he had intended, thus, a lot slower. It didn't include It's The Same Old Song, listing is:" The CD is at home, my wife bought it. I'd have sworn Same Old Song was on it, I'm sure I've heard LD do a slower version, or maybe I'm dreaming. Now this is getting worrying.

A couple of years ago Lamont Dozier issued an album of his H-D-H songs and I'm sure it included Same Old Song. If I remember it is done at a much slower tempo.

"Precisely June 1964, Geoff! It even shares my birthday, give or take a few days!" Thanks for the information Gene, good year for soul imo. Wish it had been available over here then, it's one I love to dance to. See you Friday!

What am I like? Of course it was Suspicion, although it is one that often fools me, information overload is my excuse. Currently playing it on Soul Club. I'm sure Guy called it In My Heart, was that its cover up name? Absolutely brilliant record. Thanks to everyone and abject apologies for my stupidity.

Can anyone help me with the title of a track played by Guy Hennigan at the Leighton Buzzard reunion night last Thursday please? It had a line in it something like In My Heart, which may be the title, I think Guy said it was Motown, but I may have misheard him. I've definitely heard it before, but as usual my memory has let me down. Incidentally it was a very enjoyable evening. Pity about the power problems. Any help gratefully received.

Surely rhythm and blues was a generic title for all black music with the exception of 12 bar blues and gospel? It was coined in the late 40s by someone like Jerry Wexler to replace the perjorative terms "race music" and "Harlem hit parade". If you look at the R&B charts from the 50s they include jump blues, Chicago blues like Muddy Waters, etc, Roy Hamilton's ballads, Fats Domino, and some white records that were successful with black record buyers, e.g. Johnny Ray's Cry, and some early rock'n'roll by Bill Haley, Elvis, Carl Perkins, etc. It would be impossible imo to say such and such a record is the first soul record, changes in musical style are a gradual process. However For Your Precious Love (Jerry Butler & The Impressions), Need Your Love So Bad (Little Willie John) and There Goes My Baby (The Drifters) certainly must be in the reckoning. Also the Isley Brothers' Shout. Clyde McPhatter bought a touch of the church to his records, originally with the Dominoes and then the Drifters. And of course Ray Charles achieved success when he went to Atlantic and used gospel infuences. Personally I find this a fascinating subject. I too am surprised that Danny Moore's Somebody New is from 1962, doesn't sound that early to me, but what do I know? Also what year was Sam Fletcher's I'd Think It Over Twice recorded? Sounds late 60s to me, but again what do I know?

Giving Up and Either Way I Lose, but there are so many in all different styles.

Thanks for reminding me the night at the Smersh Bar was called George Jackson, always some interesting stuff played. I like sessions where the dance floor doesn't have to rule. I'll look out for that LP Bring It On, again thanks for the information. I saw him when he first toured in the 60s, at Walthamstow Granada, absolutely brilliant, so good went back for the second performance, Lesley had to pay as I didn't have enough money, got in the second row from the front, I think the seats cost 30 shillings or something similar. His performance was magnificent, never seen anything quite like it, so well rehearsed. At the time I attended day release at the LCP at Elephant & Castle, and all the others in my class slagged off his appearance on Ready Steady Go (which was very similar to his live show) as too rehearsed, lacking spontaneity, etc. But then they raved over the Action doing I'll Keep Holding On, so what did they know about soul music? I saw him again in the 70s, at Hammersmith I think, but we walked out, just too funky for my taste.

James Brown did loads of good soul records, but his reputation seemed to go down with many people (including myself) when he went funky. Just found that repetitious and boring, seemed to go on forever. Therefore have missed some of the tracks mentioned. I love Lost Someone, but surely it is a bit slow and deep to be played out in a club. Great live version on the Live at the Apollo album from about 63 or 64. When I was at the night they used to hold at the Smersh bar on a Wednesday, can't remember what it was called, I remember someone playing JB singing For Your Precious Love accompanied by a trio featuring a pianist. It's hard to pick favourites because it depends on your mood to a certain extent. How about: Night Train It's A Man's Man's Man's World Prisoner Of Love These Foolish Things Money Won't Change You Try Me I'll Go Crazy Think Bewildered Actually the list could go on forever I suppose, and no doubt funk fans could name a whole different selection. Quite funny this post has come up, as a non-soulie friend, who actually likes the early JB, asked me over the weekend if he was the "king of soul" as he'd seen him described recently. I explained he was often called the godfather of soul, for some reason, but it depended on the listener's taste in soul.

Hadn't heard Donny's version before, thanks for posting it, but must stick with Marvin as the best version. Still rate the album as the best soul album ever.

That's a nice track, good early soul. Dave Greenhill has played it at Solid Hit Soul. It is available on a CD: ABC Paramount - The Northern Soul Story - Vol 2 - MSCD002. Try the Boo-ga-loo records website: https://www.boo-ga-loo.demon.co.uk/boogoo41.htm Hope this helps. Wouldn't mind an MP3 of this one myself.

"Here's the Radio 2 Sunday night schedule for 2026 21:00 Your 500 Best Tunes Kev Roberts presents a selection of your favourite popular Northern Soul classics. 22:00 Malcom Laycock Celebrating the age of Sixties Soul with music from the record labels of Britain and America. This week's Feature "Pye Disco demand - The Unissued Acetates" 23:00 The David Jacobs Collection The best in easy listening Modern Soul, plus Download reviews and Our Kind of Mid tempo let's not disturb the peace sort of soul Music." Well done Frank, you've made my day with this, might not be quite so bad being old. LOL.

Who knows what will happen in the future, but looking at other styles of music I can't see a big soul scene in 30 or 40 years time. Obviously those of us still alive and compus mentus will still love the music, but CDs or something else may be better than shaky hands and fingers trying to put a stylus onto rare vinyl. Assuming you still have a turntable. There doesn't seem to be a big following for Traditional jazz for example, I mean the American music from the 20s and 30s; nor for swing jazz from the 40s. Presumably because the fans have mostly died or are getting too old. Also the musical stars have died. Rock'n'roll still has a big following, but I remember reading an article a few years ago advising collectors to sell their original vinyl as it would be worthless in a decade or two. Will old soul be any different? Whether an influx of youngsters into the scene would save it is a moot point. Certainly many would be unable to afford the prices currently asked for vinyl bearing in mind the sort of financial commitments many face, university loans, mortgage or rent, plus pensions. I've chatted to colleagues at work and they are amazed by prices for soul 45s. And when you tell them the prices asked for "rare" records they can't believe it. They also find the original vinyl only policy at soul nights rather strange. Possibly we will all be in old people's homes, God forbid, and they will play our records to us while we sit in chairs with our mouths open. Maybe tea dances with the tracks pitched down. Sorry if this post is pessimistic, must be the way I feel at work on a Monday morning. LOL.