Sean Hampsey

Good post Sean, pretty much says it for me as well.

To my way of thinking soul isn't a beat. Soul is amongst other things lyrics sung with meaning, intensity and a kind of reality often taken from the writer's own life experiences and put over by an artist who believes in what he/she's singing. The beat, melody etc etc are just additional factors that make a track more (or less) enjoyable to listen (or in fact dance to). Discounting the obvious genres of say doowop, blues, jazz etc a lot of black music isn't soul IMO. It often comes under the soul umbrella simply because it's a black artist, or just has a certain danceable beat but to my mind isn't soul as there's just no passion or believability about it.

Right then, that's my load o' bollox for the day

Well its the best load o'bollox I've read in a long while Dave!

Just Brilliant!

And sums it all up beautifully.

Sean

I know it doesn't help much as to who Frankie is / was though - I've never know that myself, nor been quite sure of the 'he or she' aspect of it either

SHE is a SHE John.

"What Should I Do... Should I Speak To Him?" is the lyric.

You've only got to listen to the lyrics and the vocals to know its a female mate.

Had she not got a blokes name, the question would never have arisen.

SHE is a Woman.

A Bird.

A Babe.

A Dame.

A Bint.

A Gertrude.

SHE is a SHE John.

Sean

The label that introduced me to Soul Music, in August 1968.

Always was and always will be my favourite stable.

The Real Deal.

Far too many awesome tracks to mention, but, seeing as Paul showed you the labels, I oughta let you hear the track.

Pin back your ears for a slice of Stax Soul Perfection!

Sean

I have a Vinyl copy - on Polydor around VG+ but its gonna have to be something very special to let me part with it!

Regards Steve

"Paris Blues" on Polydor!

What country is that?

Not confusing it with "Ends Of The Earth" are ya mate?

Sean

Thanks for that Sean

One arrived in the post yesterday

Great stuff Dave.

Quality mate!

Sean

It's very easy to take some songs for granted but 'Time Will Pass You By' is a very moving and evocative song.

Listen to it at the right time (...or the wrong time, if you know what I mean) and it will have a profound effect.

"Passing seasons all but fade away, into misty clouds of autumn grey..."

Sadly the art of songwriting has been in decline for many years and lyrics are often a casual afterthought these days.

Paul

So true Paul.

I'd have said there's been little in the way of great songwriting these past 30 years.

Its why most 'modern / contemporary soul' is no longer soulful.

Theres just no 'art' 'purpose' or 'intention' in there any more.

New 'Soul' seems largely reliant purely on a rhythm (to shake yer bum to) rather than the soulful intensity which comes from outstanding lyrics superbly delivered by an excellent vocalist.

My simple ticklist for what makes a GREAT record goes something like this:

1. Great Lyrics

2. Great Vocals

3. Sincerity

4. Emotion

5. Great Musicianship

6. Great Arrangement

7. Great Production

Rhythm & Melody would be further down the list - yet these are the two components that most folk tend to look for in a 'choon' (these days).

Which explains why a lot of poor or sub-standard records get played (or become hits) over real quality.

Sean

Nice.

Please let me know if its ever for sale.

Cheers,

Sean

Great call Dave.

She certainly has an exceptional voice.

Always thought she was up there with Gladys (even!!!).

I've played "Just To Be Close To You" on and off for many years (it's also on a 45 by the way) and think it would have been so right for Clifton Hall (if I'd only had it back then!!! ) as it has that 'Cheryl Berdell' quality, quite rare in 'uptempo' Modern Soul.

The other track I've played all over (on both the LP and a 45) is the lovely "Tell 'Em That I Heard It" which is a superb chilled out stepper.

And "The Need To Be" is a gorgeous balled that every SOUL fan should own (as is her "Here Now" on Catawba).

And lets not forget... she is also Sandra Richardson on Buddah "I Feel A Song" - Inter-Soul with "Stay Here With Me" - and the cracking double sider on Dellwood "Love To Be Your Woman" / "Waiting For The Last Goodbye".

Great singer!

Sean

Must be a misprint.

TMG 708 is "Put Yourself In My Place" backed with "Little Miss Sweetness" but it is, of course, by the Isley Brothers.

Sean

Never heard of it!

Appears to be German Vogue only.

Nice Pic Cover below.

Sean

As Eddie says, the Phantom Janitor was the cleaner at Stax studios.

Sean

Another ATCO fave for me playbox at early Soul Essence weekends.

Like the above, its still going from strength to strength, I'm pleased to say.

Not the most soulful thing I've ever heard, but a crackin' little mover!

Sean

One of my fave ATCO releases, I first played at Thorne... and had em all stroking their chinny chin chins!

Its since gone on to be a bit of a crossover monster!

Great deep flipside too, I've put on many a tape, over the years.

Sean

being an avid motown fan/collector just notice these on the bay both from differant sellers https://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item255dde99bc https://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item255dce7c32 they are just boots so why are these people trying to fob em off as motown italian demos

I've loads of Italian Tamla Motown Demos and issues.

They're beautiful lilac and orange swirl designs and look nothing like these things.

Always thought booting Motown was the last bastion.

Is nothing sacred anymore?

Sean

GARNET MIMMS - SOMEBODY, SOMEPLACE - GSF 6887.

Anyone know this, just wondered why it wasn't listed in the JM book as it's a pretty good uptempo track.

I've had it for 30 odd years, Pete, pretty soon after release.

Always thought it was well known... but then that's always the same with stuff I've had for ever.

Agree, its a goodie.

Sean

£30 on Moerer Pete.

Sean

Never been away Sean, just keeping my head down

Yep, I know about the reissue (but thanks) and in fact have had a couple of those. I had the orig a while back but stupidly sold it for a lot less than it was worth and always regretted it, so now am getting it back.

(Seems to be the story of my life - the minute I sell something I wish I hadn't. Conversely, the minute I buy something it loses a tiny bit of its appeal. Weird.)

Obviously something to do with the thrill of the chase and the laws of supply and demand, Dan :-)

Sean

Good point Sebastian.

Sean

Couple of questions about Ralph Soul Jackson - Set Me Free - Black Kat

Was it ever covered up (and if so as what and by whom)?

What would a copy in near mint nick go for?

Cheers all

Hi Dan,

Good to see you back around.

Its worth noting that this was Repressed 5-6 years ago on a lookalike, that looks very good at first glance, using same artwork, but on close inspection appears to be 'digitally' printed.

Sean

Hi Ash,

Yep - Like The Yank said - a proper Reissue.

Note the Motown logo on the bottom L/H side.

Hope you're well mate.

Sean

As I understood it, Richard Searling was supposed to have had a Bunky copy, but in the many times I followed him, I dont ever recall seeing him play it.

The scan above is absolutely the wrong font - its a latter day mash up - a derivative - and the numbering is just a lazy straight copy info from the Constellation 45.

I don't believe Bunky would have ever put it out using the old Constellation series numbering.

The Yellow Constellation copy also looks dead wrong, though its not a 'straight lift' from the Bunky mash up!

Could well be the same 'arist' though fannying about with photoshop, just for a bit of a wind up.

Sean

So how's the West Coast these days then Sean?

Ian D

Hahaha.... I see where you're coming from but, surprisingly.... we never went anywhere near Calif. on this trip mate.

But, we did hit 9 other States en route!

Sean

PS: Did you get my email?

Last month's haul for me and Tats,after a week long, 1500 mile Road Trip - a Bed Full o' Soul!

In amongst that little lot is:

Tony Middleton 'Paris Blues' Mala Demo,

Rose Brooks 'I'm Moanin' Soul City Demo

Sinceres 'Girl I Love You' Pzazz

Lorez Alexander 'I Don't Wanna Hear It Anymore' Pzazz

Debbie Dean 'Why Am I Lovin' You' VIP Demo

Brown Sugar 'Game Is Over' Capitol

Leslie Uggams 'Don't You even Care'... just off the top of me head...

...+ loads of nice hard Gordy / Motown and a pile of obscure and unknown small label bits n' bobs...

Hard graft, tough diggin' but there's still gold in them there hills!

Sean

Think that'll be about it Blake.

Kev's only got very small hands!

Seriously though, I think its a toughie.

Dried up immediately after Kev brought them in.

Mr Benson will have one though, I'm sure, so that'll be six.

Hope you're both well matey.

Sean

I've got one!

Kev's Got Two!

Sean