Sunday, 17 May 2020

Version Excursion - Too Late To Turn Back Now


A massive US hit for Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose (#2 Billboard Top 100 in 1972) which did absolutely nothing in UK at the time but has become popular on the underground soul scene.  As it was such a big hit stateside many groups have covered the song.  Many reggae artists in particular like The Sattalites, Alton Ellis, Maxi Priest and Jackie Mittoo. Rene Geyer (an Australian Blue-Eyed Soul/Rock singer did a poor acoustic version in 2009 which removed all the soul).

Here are a few of the better and/or more recent versions.  There are other versions which are not particularly good (e.g Stray Dogz from 2010, The Barking Dogs (2006), Jamaican Me Breakfast Club (2019)) or I can't find a sound clip for e.g. Cut Glass (1974) and  Eban Brown (Exit 15 2006) etc.

Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose [1972] - Too Late To Turn Back Now [United Artists 50910]

Featuring Carter, Eddie, Rose and Billie Jo Cornelius.


 Live footage on Mike Douglas Show 1972


Jackie Mittoo [1972] - Too Late To Turn Back Now [Studio One SOL 1124]

The only way to get it (as far as I can ascertain) is on Reggae Magic album from 1972 on Jamaican Studio One and was issued in Canada on Canadian Talent Library and reissued on Pickwick in Canada in 1980.  He had emigrated to Canada in the mid 70s so the Canadian issue is the original. It has also been reissued in US but as far as I know not UK.
He was taken by cancer in 1990 aged only 42.


The Kustoms [1972] - Too Late To Turn Back Now [Kustoms LP-1001]

Lead track on a one-off (self-releases?) album from blue-eyed soul band from San Antonio, Texas recorded at Zaz Studios, San Antonio around 1972(?). Group members were Mark Hilbirich, Chuck Taylor, Rock Rakowitz, Mike Zolkoski, Dell Cherry, Larry Horwedel, John Haese


Beo Wulf [1972] - Too Late To Turn Back Now [Crown CST-631]

From Beo Wolf's only release from 1972 on Crown which was a budget label owned by Modern/Kent. They appear to have only released this album and no singles.


The Chi-Lites [1973] - Too Late To Turn Back Now [Brunswick BL 754188]

From "Letter To Myself" 1973.


Tyrone Davis [1990] - Too Late To Turn back Now [Future FR 1004]

From album 'Come On Over' 1990


Frank Dell [199?] - Too Late To Turn Back Now [Valise Unissied]

An unissued version by Frank Dell which I believe he recorded in the 90s but never released.  I think he had it posted on his now defunct website.

No label scan as unreleased.


Alex Schultz & Tad Robinson [2004] - Too Late To Turn Back Now [Severn CD 0025]

From 'Did You Ever Wonder' album from 2004.


Holiday Band, The [2007] - Too Late To Turn Back Now [Ripete 2340]

A beach version from 'Yearbook (Best Of)' album from 2007


Pepe Marquez [2010] - Too Late To Turn Back Now (Feat  Steve Salas of Tierra) [CDBaby]

From self-titled CD from 2010


Rose Cornelius [2012] - It's Too Late To Turn Back Now [Jasmi Records]

From a 2012 album "Everybody".


Personal Touch [2019] - It's Too Late To Turn Back Now [Self Released]

From "Better With Time" album 2019.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please note: Anonymous comments may not be posted and will NOT be responded to as we do not know who we are responding to.