We're Not Too Young (To Fall In Love)

Hearing this played by Vann Vatiste on the Soho Soul Spectacular on Sat night (during the launch of Gilly's new book which I posted a few days ago within the Little Ann post) has prompted me to post several known versions of the song.

I 'presume' that it was originally recorded by Jackey Beavers is it was co-written by him under his real namd Robert Lewis Beavers with Jerome Teasley and released as The Jackey Beavers Show in 1968 on Jaber label which is believed to have been owned by Jackey Beavers. In the same year it came out by The Camaro's on Dar Cha.  It was the Camaro's version that Vann played which is a more down tempo 'sweter' version. It was then released again on Jaber by Karen Striblin in 1970 followed by a version from The Continental Showstoppers on Seventy 7 in 1972.

1968 - The Jackey Beavers Show [Jaber #JB 7112]

Price Guide: £175-£250

1968 The Camaro's [Dar Cha #AR 1151]

This is the only know release by The Camaro's and on the Dar Cha label out of Detroit.

I have only been able to find 2 listed on Popsike, one sold for $621 in 2012 and another for $900 in 2014.  This is currently a popular 45 so would expect the price to be considerably higher now, IF you could find one for sale!

1970 - Karen Striblin [Jaber JB 7117]

This is the only known release from Karen Striblin.

Price Guide: £120-£130

1972 - Continental Showstoppers [Seventy 7 #77-107]

This is a more 'crossover' version than the others. It is the only known release from this group.

Price Guide: £270-£500

By sheer coincidence, whilst researching this post I came across a poll done on Soul Source in Nov 2018 comparing the 4 different versions and Camaro's topped the poll with 38.14% of the votes, followed closely by Jackey Beavers on 36.98%, with Continental Showstoppers receiving 22.5% and poor Karen Striblin got only 3.09% of the votes.  

Personally I like them all as they all offer something slightly different.  Jackey Beavers has the most raw energy, Camaro's is more of a soul harmony, sweeter, sound, whilst Continental Showstoppers has more of a 70s crossover appeal and Karen Striblin sort of sits between the Jackey Beavers and Camaro's version and, just to be awkward and go against the flow!, I think if I had to choose I would choose this version as my favourite as it has a naive, honest feel about it.  Her voice sounds young so possibly a teenager when it was recorded and the male backing adds something different.

I'm not sure if there was a connection between Jackey Beavers and The Camaro's, but guess thare must have been some sort of a connection, as The Camaro's also released another Beavers song 'Lover Come Back' on the flip side to their only (known) 45.

Camaro's [1968] - Lover Come Back [Dar Cha #AR 1151]

Jackey Beavers [1968] - Lover Come Back [Jaber #JB 7111]