Thankfully, that 'long line' dried up a very long time ago, Ian.
The scene moved on, over 30 years ago and started playing, mainly, Soul Music.
But in any case, it's no great recommendation comparing it to other poor records is it?
Or saying that Ralph Tee played it on his show, for that matter!
Joking aside, I think we're in danger of making this a 'colour' issue.
It's not so much a question of colour for me with this one,
I wouldn't want anyone to think I'm not a fan of the record because it's Blue-Eyed
I've championed the Buddy Causey Capitol 45 for a few years now, so no way is it simply a 'colour' issue with me.
It's just that this recording is so very MOR and Soulless... but I do admit, I'm intrigued by the interest its received on here.
That could be attributed to the word 'Rarity' in the headline... or it might even be the 'Dewhirst Enigma'... but I'll wager its a bit of both
Let's be honest, far too often, 'rarity' tends to fly in the face of 'Soulful Quality' on the UK Soul scene.
Its a fascinating thread though Ian, with some interesting revelations
It explains to me why I'm often dissapointed, in cases where I hear of a so called 'fabulous tune' which people are raving over... when I eventually get to hear it.... what I'm hearing is garbage!
I always felt it was all about where you draw your own personal line on 'soulfulness' and on 'standards' of quality. And I know I'm a picky bugger, particularly when it comes to vocals.
But SOUL is also about 'emotion' and this Capanni effort clocks up a whacking great zero in that department.
Either way, I'm trying to be reasonable and rationalise why anybody would consider this Soulful, it's probably more to do with that hard to quantify 'taste' thing (mentioned earlier).
Though some might say its more to do with the lack of it.
Taste is a very subjective thing.
There's no right or wrong, is there.
One prefers Coffee, another prefers Tea... but they both like Beer and what have you...
...and I think this record is a pretty good example of how diverse 'taste' can be, even amongst those of us who like to think of ourselves as Soul fans.
For a change, it's not a 60's v 70's debate or a Northern v Modern question, its purely a 'do I like this or do I not' question.
Personally, I don't like it.
No... its more than that..... I don't like it at all.
As I said earlier, its just NOT a Soul record.
It's not sung with Soul.
It's just NOT Soulful.
By any stretch of the imagination.
It matters not to me that Bobby Taylor had a hand in writing it.
It wouldn't change a thing if Bobby Womack, Philip Mitchell, and Sam Dees had written it by the banks of the Mississippi - its not the lyrics that I don't particularly care for - it's what's coming out of the speakers that, to my ears at least, sounds bloody awful.
Its that Pop, Pap, Wimpish vocal delivery and tra la, la, la, la, loungey, Love Boat, Showbiz Schmaltz (that really does owe far too much to the Manilows of this world for my liking) that prohibits me from ever seeing it as Soul, pop-soul or any other kind of Soul music.
I know you didn't head the thread 'is this the best Soul record on Capitol' (because we all know it isn't) and that its the obsession with 'rarity' and 'novelty' that causes collectors to get excited (and in some instances 'blinded') with stuff like this. But I'm pretty sure that if there had been 30 copies up on GEMM right now it would be forever known as 'the original but crap version of the Jackson Sisters'.
But, in all honesty, its not just a poor version of the Jackson Sisters.
Its really bad entirely on its own merit.
I know some might think what i'm saying is a bit harsh, but really, this is about as bad as it gets.
Get out your James Carr, Bobby Womack and David Ruffin albums, then go compare!
There's far too much substandard old jank being passed off in some quarters as Soul Music these days and this is just another example.
But as someone once said... 'I've got to admire your balls'
Sean