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Tuesday 3 March 2020

NS515 Four Larks [1968] - Groovin' At The Go-Go [Tower 402]




515 Four Larks [1968] - Groovin' At The Go-Go [Tower 402]
Artist:Four Larks
A:Groovin' At The Go-Go
B:I Still Love You
Format:45
Country:US
Label:Tower
Label Discography:Tower Discography
Cat No:402
Year:1968
Value:£275-£350
Value Link:£275-£350
Artist Biography:Four Larks Biography Four Larks Wiki
Artist Discography:Four Larks Discography


The Four Larks were a Philly-based group initially composed of Jackie Marshall, Calvin Nicholls, Bill Oxedine and Weldon McDougal, though McDougal’s wife Irma would end up singing lead on most of their 45’s. Weldon McDougal is also the man that co-founded one of the greatest Philly soul labels of the 60’s, Harthon records. 

Starting in the early 60’s, they would release a string of 45s on the Sheryl, Arock, Priority, Fairmount, Wand, Tower and Uptown labels under the names the Larks, the Four Larks, Irma & The Larks and Irma & the Fascinators, in addition to singing backup on a wide variety of Harthon-related productions. Among their recordings is the stunning (though initially unreleased) 'You Need Love' by Irma & The Facinators which recycled the backing track from the Cooperettes 'Shingaling' to great effect.

Weldon Macdougal III died on 21st October 2010.  There is an obituary @ SoulWalking



Four Larks [1968] - I Still Love You [Tower 402]



Four Larks [1967] - That's All That Counts [Uptown 748]


Four Larks [1967] - You And Me [Uptown 748]


Four Larks [1967] - Another Chance [Tower 374]



Four Larks [1968] - Can I Have Another Helping Please [Tower 450]

NB Sounclip includes both tracks.


Four Larks [1968] - I've Got Plenty [Tower 450]



Four Larks [1967] - Rain [Tower 374]



Four Larks [1969] - Unbelievable [Uptown 761]

Larks ever released, sometime in 1969. The a-side a funky instrumental, seemingly out of character with some of the group’s other sides. This can no doubt be attributed to changing times with things being funkier in 68/69. The cut features some rolling piano and funky drums, with a wailing sax soloing over most of the tune with the group chanting 'Climbing! Climbing Brother!' in the background. The flip side is (what I believe to be) a remake of one of their first singles 'It's Unbelievable'. The tune (a not too distant cousin to the Flamingo's 'I Only Have Eyes For You') has some beautiful harmonies. Stylistically it can stand right alongside their other sweet soul classic 'Rain'. 



Four Larks [1969] - Keep Climbing Brothers [Uptown 761]



Irma & The Fascinators [1965] - Just A Feeling [Scepter SR 12100]



Irma & The Fascinators [1965] - Lost Love [Scepter SR 12100]



Irma & The Fascinators [1996] - You Need Love [Goldmine Sevens GS004]

Goldmine Soul Supply licencsed this previously unissued track from Universal Love Productions 1966 in 1996 and released it on vinyl on their Goldmine Sevens label.  It uses the same backing as The Cooperettes - Shing-A-Ling (Brunswick #55329 1967).  It had Eddie Holman - Where I'm Not Wanted on the flip.




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