Soul Strutter: Don Gardner - The Best Of ...

Tuesday 28 April 2020

Don Gardner - The Best Of ...

Don Gardner is best known on UK soul scene for his super rare 1969 recording on Sedgrick 'Cheatin' Kind' which was a big sound on the Northern Soul Scene.

Gardner hailed from Philadelphia and was born 1931 and died 2018 aged 87. He started recording in 1949. He formed the Sonotones which included Richard 'Groove' Holme who was replaced by Dee Dee Ford when he left in 1960.

He had his biggest hit with in 1962 with Dee Dee Ford - I Need Your Lovin' which reached #20 Billboard Hot 100 and #4 R&B. They had 2 further moderate hits together the same year with Glory Of Love #75 (which had previously recorded solo in 1960) and Don't You Worry #66.

It was 11 years later in 1973 before he troubled the charts again with another duet, this time with Baby (Jeanette) Washington, Forever which reached #30 in R&B but didn't make Hot 100.

Their partnership ended in 1964 and Gardner continued releasing solo 45s for the remainder of the 60s on various labels. In 1972 he teamed up with Baby Washington and released a 45 followed by an album the following year which spawned another 2 45s and as far as I can tell that was the end of his recording career although he continued working as a jazz musician (he was a drummer). According to Wiki he was a guest artist on Patrick Stanfield Jones' A Heart Is An Open Road album in 2010 which I have confirmed from LastFM:

"For the past 5 years, Patrick has been working on his latest project with veteran jazz percussionist/drummer Don Gardner, honing and developing his writing and arranging skills even more."

Don Gardner [1966] - My Baby Likes To Boogaloo [Tru-Glo-Town 501]

Flip side is deep soul ballad I Wanta Know Where Did Our Love Go

Don Gardner [1967] - Ain't Gonna Let You Get Me Down [Tru-Glo-Town 505]

Storming 100mph Northern Soul

Flip side is a deep soul ballad Somebody's Gonna Get Hurt

Don Gardner [1967] - Prove It [Sack 4362]

Northern Soul 'Stroller'

Flip side is Ain't Gonna Let You Get Me Down (above)

Also recorded by Mary Wheeler on Calla 111

Don Gardner [1967] - Tighten Up Your Love Bone [Cedric 3002/3003]

This tracks was released twice on Cedic 3002 in 1967 and 3003 Iin1971

Don Gardner [1967] - Is It Really Love [Cedric 3002/3003]

Northern Soul / Crossover.

I actually prefer this side as more soulful.

Don Gardner [1969] - Cheatin' Kind [Sedrick 3001]

Mega rare 4/5 figure sum Northern Soul classic on Sedgrick.

Only 2 listed on Popsike 2011 £6,394 and 2014 £7,087

Written and produced by James Vanleer who owned Sedgrick, Cedric, Sac and Golden Ears labels in Chicago. He also wrote a lot of material for Jackie Ross and Southside Movement in particular.

This is considered a classic by many on the scene probably owing more to it's rarity that quality as it's not over-exposed like many of the classics due to it's scarcity.

Don Gardner [1969] - Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy [Mr. G 824]

Now this is right up my street - mellow, soulful crossover. I much prefer this track to Cheatin' Kind and would still have £9,950 of my ten grand to buy another 199 quality £50 tunes with like Is This Really Love (above)!

Written by Morris Bailey a highly regarded musician from Philadelphia who was a member of Crystal Clear (Stay With Me)

Flip side is late 60s funky soul There Ain't Gonna Be No Loving