Roburt

Anyone know the history behind the much recorded song "Am I The Man" that was written by Al Kent. It first appeared on record (a 78) back in 1957 when Al's first version of the song escaped on Checker (B/W "Dat's Why (I Love You So)" as Checker 881. Al cut at least one further version of the song (maybe two) over the following few years. A version escaped on a a Wizard Record's 45 out on New York ............ .. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqiXFWSrylQ and also on the Baritone label (I believe this later version got some NS spins) ..... .. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIL7VMZCHFc But back in the 50's, a 2nd version of the song had been cut for Chess Records, this being Bobby Lester's take that escaped as Checker #921 ... .. . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZkK20UHdEs Then Jackie Wilson cut the song and his take came out on a Brunswick 45 in the US & Canada (it escaped on Coral in the UK). It seemed to be a popular number back in the late 50's / early 60's BUT only Jackie's version achieved hit status as far as I now (his take making the US R&B Top 10 and Pop Top 40 charts towards the end of 1960). Did anyone ever chat to Al (Hamilton) about this song and find out more details on it ??

A page on the Upsetters on the net ............ It features tracks cut by the band and they certainly show the Stax / Memphis influence ........... https://www.baltimorejam.org/Upsetters/upsetters.html

A listing on Mr.Manship's site ............. Rita & The Upsetters DONE GOT OVER (UPSETTIN') 7" -- £216.00 Condition: M- / wol / [vinyl / label / sleeve] Label: acetate HENRY O. BER Genre: ACETATES Totally obscure Baltimore 60s girl-group Northern Soul that we can find no evidence of a release. Only copy we have ever seen, strong Northern Soul potential. 1 copy in stock. Seems that John should have checked the facts on the track out a bit harder. It was actually released on (WSID) DJ 'Sparky' Mullen's Zenette Record label in 1964. Half a dozen or so 45's escaped on Zenette which around 1964 was run out of Sparky's record shop at 2131 West North Avenue, Baltimore. Rita only featured on one side of the 45 (& the acetate) as an instrumental by the band ("Upsett In") formed the B side. Rita was actually Rita Dorsye who also had a couple of 45's out on Ru-Jac ........ Wait Till Then / When I’m Alone AND Please Let Me Love You / Goodie Goodie Her cut with the Upsetters (who she fronted on live shows for a while) was released in 1964 after she had been lead singer with the group for a while. I have some ads for club gigs they did around Baltimore somewhere here. The teaming was soon split up though as the Upsetters were recruited by Otis Redding to go on the road supporting him (backing him up). Otis also took Arthur Conley off with him from Baltimore about the same time. The Upsetters toured all over with Otis and after his death (they weren't with his tour package when he was killed) they were signed by ABC and did a tribute album to Otis ('We Remember Otis') which was produced with John Madara. The group also had an LP out back in Baltimore on their management company's record label (Rhapsody). Other 45's on Zenette were by Kenny Hamber, Sonny V & the Velvets, El Ray (really Sonnye Daye who cut for Ru-Jac with the Shyndels) and the Christian All Stars (no doubt a top Baltimore gospel outfit). Rita & the Upsetters on their cut together ....... Zenette 45 .............. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK1hUaB16JU

John arrived late in Reading tonight after a long time consuming journey from Derby .... BUT ... that didn't stop him delivering of his best and putting on a great show for the disappointingly smallish audience. If you could have attended his Reading show & decided to stay home instead, you made the WRONG decision.

I was a regular at the Nite Owl niters in Leicester in the summer of 67 ..............

Coz the guys putting the LP together were dumb (or trying to mislead the buyers).

A 1958 show at the Apollo in Harlem. Presented by radio DJ Dr. Jive (Tommy Smalls) .... Tommy (Dr. Jive) also hosted another show at the Apollo around the same time on which Ray Charles also topped the bill. In 1960 he got pulled into the payola scandal court cases and so lost his radio job. He moved on with his life though, working for Polydor & Jubilee Records. However his life was cut short by cancer & he passed away in 1972 ..........

I'm sure Roger Moore never looked like that when I used to watch 'The Saint' ............

Info on Beau Dollar & "Who Knows" here .......... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beau_Dollar Your 12" seems to be a US boot (but I'm guessing about it's legality). Each different artist's track on the 12" (4 in all) originated on different US labels. https://www.discogs.com/Various-Guerrilla-Reissue-V2/release/609080 "Who Knows" originally released over 40 years back but reissued at least a couple of times. Once in France in back 92 ........ https://www.discogs.com/viewimages?release=1464193

Yet another of his worthy efforts .............. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1F1e8GhswA

More of his work with fine soul singers ................. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6y4L2XA6-s

Seems that Drew is a music teacher (& drummer) ........... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVh5BoSmXA0

Here he is playing live with a few Detroit pals .......... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsVzXAv5ur0

Anuda un ................ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOfl6UjmIRA

Don't know anything at all about Drew Shultz but he seems to be a young guy with good musical taste. He collaborates on tracks with some fine old school singers / musicians ................ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26Qeykfbe3Q

Seems that she has had records out in the past ................ https://www.mjsbigblog.com/x-factor-lillie-mccloud-actually-nicole-internationally-acclaimed-recording-artist.htm .... AND ........ I've even got some of them (they got UK release as well as US) ........... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HYTIyBI17k

I don't watch either the UK or US versions of this show (too much dross) but this 54 year old US contestant certainly can ssssaang ........... .......... think of a sort of Gladys Knight clone and you'll be close to what she sounds like ............. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3U4kxuBfIo Don't know if she can keep up this standard week after week but if she can .........

They'll be alright ........ AS LONG AS .......... the airports aren't closed so their flights are cancelled. That they don't go further north than Manchester (or head to snow bound Castleford), don't go on coastal roads (high winds), don't go on hilly roads (high winds, drifting snow), don't go on back roads (no maintenance or gritting / snow clearing), don't go on any roads before 7.30am or after 11pm (gritters / snow clearers off duty), don't go on motorways or city roads between 7am & 9.30 am or 4pm & 7pm AND dont even try to go on the M25. Apart from those few potential problems, they should be OK.

Not everything Kapp did was MOR orientated. They did sign a few soul acts and let them do their own thing ......... ....... Sugar & Spice "In Love Forever" ............ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOzk1gpf2LE

Motown attempted in 69 to head off the cover versions of Stevie's song ............

Well, while we're dealing with Daptone ........ ... here are their acts on a show in a land down-under .......... ........... nice retro looking design .........

Four main Wand issue label designs of course; the early 60's with one bold colour (blue), the famous black & white design then held sway for about 11 years, the mottled cream thru orange design that came in around 72/73 I believe and then the solid orange colour design was introduced from 74 to the end of the label's life. Not seen a demo like yours though. Where's our resident Scepter / Wand expert when he's needed (no doubt still working on the book). Guess he'll know of quite a few 45's that came out on demo labels of that design.

Another one that has details of a great live show line-up ...........

On the net it says 'in UK cinemas from October 25th ........ guess you'll need to have an 'arts & indie type' venue locally though for it to be on near you.

I'd say that Kent's standing in the quality soul releases is like Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon White Gold's standing in the world of fizzy wine.