Joe Tex [1975] - Under Your Powerful Love [Dial D-1154]

Joe Tex (Joseph Arrington Jr.) was another artist who left us very young aged only 47. He died of a heart attack in 1982.

Joe Tex [1975] - Under Your Powerful Love [Dial D-1154]

Staying in a 70s Northern Soul groove, this post is (for me) Joe Tex's finest recording. This is another that was played from release, probably (?) broken at Blackpool Mecca, but was certainly played at St. Ives and Cleethorpes circa 1976 at the same time Jeff Perry as big.

A great spoken prologue 'I was in Detroit, Michigan not too long ago visiting with some friends of mine. I checked into the 20 Grand motel where I always stayed to hang out with  the brothers. As I checked in and put my bags down I could hear this strange conversation coming from next door and it seems like this young lady had gotten into this gentleman's room and really didn't know how she got there ... or at least that's what she was trying to run down on him. And it seems like ah she had too many martinis and she was trying to beg the man off and of course you know I was gonna listen to see how it was gonna come out. I missed some of the conversation but where I came in was when she was saying something to him some words something like this .. let me tell a story ...'     and kicks in with a funky beat whilst he then continues to 'rap'.

This was released about a year before the 'novelty' disco hit he had with Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman) which was his only UK hit reaching #2 in April 1977 and spent 11 weeks in top 40, 6 of those in top 10 in a country that 'lapped up' innuendo, that put Chuck Berry's My Ding A Ling at #1 in 1972 and Denise LaSalles' Don't Mess With My Toot Toot #6 in 1985 her only UK hit.  It makes you want to cry when artists that contributed so much to R&B and soul music are 'rewarded' with such trite hits and their quality tunes were totally ignored.

I won't post the flip as not applicable for this site but I will post an earlier track in a similar vein i.e. 'All The Heaven A Man Really Needs' instead.  

Joe Tex [1972] - All The Heaven A Man Really Needs [Dial D-1021]

Very similar is structure to the previous track.  I don't recall this getting plays back in the day ... but of course may be wrong and either missed it or have forgotten about it.

Joe Tex [1964] - Old Time Lover [Dial 45-3020]

Northern Soul R&B style from 1964.  This one crept up on me whilst searching for a clip for above. Looks like I'll need to dig deeper into Joe Tex as the only other track I considered posting by him was Show Me which was huge late 70s but was probably a reactivated odie by then as I would have thought that a tune like that would have been played at The Twisted Wheel in 60s which closed in 1971 and I was too young to ever attend.

Jeff Perry [1975] - I've Got To See You Right Away / Love Don't Come No Stronger [Arista AS-0133]

Many may think I've got this the wrong way around as the A side is a Northern Soul monster which still packs the floor to this day, but I make no apology because, whilst the topside is great piece of 70s Northern Soul, in later years I have come to love this two-stepper tucked away on the flip which I would guess many may have overlooked, forgotten about or don't even know. So let me remind you what a great double-sider this is and also what a great artist Jeff Perry, who later was known simply as Jeffree, was.  Both his albums Jeffree from 1979 and I Call It Love from 1996 are well worth picking up.

It's a sacrilege that he only released 4 45s between this, his debut, in 1975 and 1979, and only 2 albums.  Expansion in UK issued a 45 with Love Loan and I Call It Love from his 1996 album in 2002.

He had several brothers involved in music, the most well known is probably Greg Perry who is married to Edna Wright aka Sandy Wynn who is Darlene Love's sister. He was keyboard player with Holland Dozier Holland's Invictus.  He had a similar number of releases a Jeffree i.e. 2 albums and around 8 45s, predominantly in 70s but he did release Love Control / Head Over Heel (In Love) on Chess in 1967 which got NS spins, and one on Alfa in 1982.

Zachary Perry did background vocals on Angelo Bond's Bondage album on ABC in 1975 and on Jeff and Greg's debut albums. He and brothers Dennis, Leonard and Greg also wrote songs for his brothers and a few others most notably Barrino Brothers - Trapped in A Love and Lonette McKee - Save It. Between them they wrote all the songs on Jackie Wilson's Beautiful Day album in 1973, Jeff had a hand in all of the tracks and, what I hadn't realised until now, is that he also wrote the wonderful Major Lance track released only in UK on Contempo in 1975 'Don't You Know I Love You'.

Jeff Perry [1975] - I've Got To See You Right Away [Arista AS-0133]

Jeff Perry [1975] - Love Don't Come No Stronger (Than Yours And Mine) [Arista AS-0133]

Huge NS sound from release and still popular and has seen 3 reissues in 1989, 2011 and 2019 but none with the flip above.

The O'Jays [2015] - Backstabbers (DJ Reverend P) [Sony]

A quick post, a 10 minute remix of the O'Jays classic from 1972.  Pure Philly magic one of the finest.  No further words required just sit back and try and keep your feet still!

Taken from 'The Legacy Of Soul' compilation released 2015/16 which contains 30 Philly classics remixed by DJ Reverend P.

Marc Staggers [2016] - Bring It Home To Me [DSG]

Shades of Luther Vandross particularly on the intro on this 2016 neo/modern soul dancer from Marc Staggers who seems to be a fav in modern soul circles in UK.

I'm not sure whether or not this was ever released as the only place I can find it is on Soundcloud although it states it's on DSG and 'out now' but still cant find anywhere selling it.  The main commercial release appears to be the Tom Moulton mix.

There's an long (almost 14 minutes) Mind-Bob'S Mix here done in 2019, mashed together from the Tom Moulton Mix which has a real Philly feel to it, presumably not entirely legal?

Gregg Jackson [1982] - One For The Road [KYP-1-001]

A Soul Essence (Great Yarmouth Soul Weekender) anthem which had my jaw dropping (and had me taking the 'walk of shame' to the deck to find out what it was) when I first heard Sean Hampsey drop the needle on this!

It has recently been re-recorded for his 2014 album 'The Other Side Of Me', and the original album version released for the first time in 45 format in 2016, and then also remixed by Nigel Lowis in 2019 (Nigel Lowis Uptown Mix / Nigel Lowis Downtown Mix) on Izipho Soul.

Until these recent releases it was only available on the obscure original KYC album 'One For The Road' released in 1982.  Although the sleeve credits only Gregg Jackson, the label expands this to Gregg Jackson & The Strike Force Band.  It's a private press mainly for the band to sell at its gigs, so be all accounts most copies that turn up are autographed as  the only way to obtain them was direct from the band.

Gregg is still performing in Florida with Bossa Groove Band and you should be able to find some YT live clips of them performing.  Sadly his wife, Amina,  died in 2018 and Izipho dedicated the 2019 remixes to her.

The first 45 release which came out on Izipho Soul ZP02 in 2016 which has been long sold out.

Gregg Jackson [2016] - Your Love [Izipho Soul ZP02]

Another album track released for the first time on 45 on the flip of One For The Road on Izipho Soul in 2016.

A bonus track as I managed to  find (only) one of the tracks from the 'One For The Road' album (which only contained 7 tracks so tat's 3 of them included here).

Who Wrote The Music

Gregg Jackson [2019] - One For The Road Nigel Lowis Mixes [Izipho Soul ZP23]

The YT clip samples both sides i.e. Nigel Lowis Uptown Mix and then Nigel Lowis Downtown Mix and has 'security' jingles embedded, so I've included links to Juno where you can listen to the whole tracks for both sides.

Nigel Lowis Uptown & Downtown Mixes as for some reason can only embed the Uptown mix

Gregg Jackson [2014] - The Other Side Of Me [Darace]

This is a re-recorded version from 2014 album 'The Other Side Of Me'.

Here's the remainder of the album.

Moving On

Sunny Day

Send A Dozen Roses

Pull Ya Little Closer

Try A Little Tenderness

Stand Up And Dance

I Had Enough

Sparkle

George Wilson [1971] - Here Stands The Man Who Needs You [Black Circle BC 6002]

A stunning deep soul performance by George Wilson, who Discogs claims was a 'prolific local soul performer from Pittsburgh' but I believe from reading some comments that he was actually from Lancaster PA.  A couple of groups that he performed with were The Ember Soul Band, G.L. & The Vestors and Daddy C & The All-Stars. 

Apologies for poor quality of photo cropped and enlarged from small photo on Daddy C 12" from 1983 as only photo I can find in public domain.

UPDATE 11 Nov 2020 information received from Joe Siebert

George died in 1989 from cancer (see obit below found on 'Rendezvous For Happy Hearts'). As the lead singer for The Embers he sang with Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin and in groups, The Chell-mars and The Chirstaleers. As a member of the Butch Cornell Organ Trio, he played with the likes of Johnny Mathis, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross and Martha and The Vandellas. He graduated from Lancaster McCaskey High School in 1958.

He recorded If She’s Your Girl with G.L. & The Vesters (I can't find anything on this group)  and also a 45 with The Chell-Mars Roamin' Heart / Feel Alright - he co-wrote both sides with Harold Vern.

He only released 2 45s and the flip side of this one is an instrumental version.  I find this difficult to understand as his voice is amazing but I suppose it wasn't 'commercial' but much loved by soul connoisseurs years later.  This is not expensive (yet) and you should be able to find on for £30-£40.

Black Circle was a Pittsburgh label which ran from 1971-72 and seems to have released only 5 (listed) 45s.  However, there is a gap in Cat No. between 6002 and 6006 so perhaps there are some unlisted?

George Wilson [1969] - Come Back To Me [Stang ST 5007]

His only other (listed) release is from 1969 on Sylvia Robinson's Stang label out of Englewood, New Jersey with Come Back To Me c/w Everything Will Be Fine claimed by some to be one of the rarest, thus hardest to find, 45s on Stang and seems to sell between £200-£250 as sought after by lowrider scene.

George Wilson [1969] - Everything Will Be Fine [Stang ST 5007]

The Embers Feat. George Wilson [1969] - If You Loved Me [Unreleased]

Now, isn't YouTube a great place!  I have managed to find an unreleased track he recorded with The Embers in 1969 posted by Joe Seibert. This is not the Carolina beach group but one from Lancaster  PA, a 10 piece group (all white except Wilson) that featured George Wilson (lead vocals), Richard Rankie, Buddy Swords, Tony Mann (background vocals),  Michael "Fuzzy" Weirich (guitar),  Drew Pontz (bass guitar), Dale Myers (saxophone), Bobby Lynes (trumpet), Bobby Fish (drums),  Barry Stumpf  (Hammond organ).

I think the full title for the band may have been The Ember Soul Band.

Daddy C & The All-Stars Feat. George Wilson [1983] - I've Been Trying [Llist 303071]

I found this after reading a comment on the YT clip for 'Here Stands' from Daddy C who stated that George Wilson recorded with him in before his death from cancer in 1989.  It's a superb cover of the Curtis Mayfield song.  George is on backing vocals for 3 tracks (incl this one) on this 4 track 12" E.P. It's actually Thom 'Daddy C' Colson on lead.  He gets credit for 'finger snaps' on the other track😃

It was also released on CD 'Daddy's Home' which you may be able to purchase from Thom Colson if you message him on his YT channel DaddyClb although he's not been active on YT for 4 years!  His channel is well worth a visit as loads of live videos from the many blue-eyed soul / beach groups he's performed with and comments left by many artists such as the recently demised Ronnie Walker, Ray Dahrouge, Dave Bupp (Magnificent Men) to name just a few on a single post.

The Chell-Mars [1963] - Roamin' Heart [HiMar 505 / Jamie 1266]

The Chell-Mars released Roamin' Heart on Hi Mar in 1963 and it got national distribution by Jamie, although I'm not whether it was actually release as only promoes seem to be around and even the label only scan of the issue I've seen has 'Not For Sale' stamped across it.

The song was co-written by George Wilson and Harold Kern.

The Chell-Mars [1963] - Feel Alright [HiMar 505 / Jamie 1266]

The flip side is 'Feel Alright', also written by George Wilson & Harold Kern, starts off as if it's going to be a deep gospel song and then kicks in with a rocking R&B tune.

COVID-19 14th April 2020

Summary

Today I have added a summary of an interesting graph published by Worldometers which shows the percentage rates of recovery versus death of closed cases. i.e. does not include active cases so these are real figures of all cases that have concluded in either death or full recovery.

US new cases reduce for 3rd day and 2nd day figures below 30,000.  Death rate remains around 1,500 (1,535).

Recovery v Death - no figures published but derived as 61% v 39% (see below)

Spain new cases reduce for 3rd day and are now well below half the 2nd peak on 1 Apr of 8,195 at 3,268. Deaths are also reducing from 961 at peak to 547.  Active case curve is now flattening and total cases shows signs of beginning to flatten.

Recovery v Death 78.47% v 21.53% recovery rate increasing

Italy had the 2nd lowest no of new cases since peak 21 Mar (6,557) of 3,153 (7 Apr 3,039). Their graphs don't look as promising as Spain's and don't show real signs of flattening as yet.

Recovery v Death 63.39% v 36.61% recovery rate increasing

France again is unpredictable as new cases rise by 1,251 after 2 days of decline

Recovery v Death 64.94% v 35.06% i.e. recovery rate reducing

Germany  had lowest no of new cases since 17 Mar (2,095) of 2,218 and their active cases are now 10,000 lower than the peak on 6 Apr. 

Recovery v Death 95.27% v 4.73% recovery rate increasing

UK new cases reduced by almost 1,000 (946) and lowest deaths for 7 days.

Recovery v Death - no figures published. derived 2.95% v 97.05% (see below)

UK Recovery Rate v Death Rate

The UK is the only country in the entire world (on Worldometers) NOT reporting recovery rate.  This made me suspicious so I've investigated.  It 'may' be because we are too early in the cycle to accurately report as cases have not yet run their full course.  

However, if you take total cases 88,621 minus active cases 76,948 then you must deduce that the difference is the number of cases concluded which is 11,673. If you then subtract the number of reported deaths (11,329) then that leaves ONLY 344 cases that have fully recovered.  

Can this be accurate? ... as that means the real death rate is 97% and recovery rate only 3%.  You have to assume (and hope!) that a large portion of the active cases have actually recovered but have not been reported as such for whatever reason - is this due to lack of testing? Incensed by this I have contacted several media organisations to ask the question of the government.

If I apply the same calculation to US who do not have a graph but have declared a figure for recovered cases of 36,948.

586,941 (total cases)  - 526,353 (active cases) = 60,588 concluded cases

60,588 concluded cases - 23,640 deaths = 36,948 recovered

36,948/60,588 = 61%

23,640/60,588 = 39%

To confirm my calculation I have applied it to the the figures for Spain

170,099 (total cases) - 87,616 (active cases) = 82,483 concluded cases

82,483 concluded cases - 17,756 (deaths) = 64,727 recovered

17,756/82,483 = 21.53%

64,727/82,483 = 78.47%

which matches exactly the figures reported so I am confident that the calculation is accurate.

UK Death Rates

There has been a lot of discussion in the media over the last few days regarding the high death rate in UK.  Also,  the fact that the figures reported only include those that died in hospital and not those elsewhere e.g. at home or in nursing homes etc.

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has just published figures for the week ending 3rd Apr (11 days ago). (NB a new report is due to be published 16 Apr) At this point the UK had reported 3,605 COVID-19 deaths (on Worldometers) in hospitals.  According to ONS data (Section 7 Deaths registered by place of occurrence) for COVID-19 deaths:

Hospital deaths 3,716

Care Home: 217

Hospice: 33

Home: 136

Other communal establishments: 3

Elsewhere: 17

That results in 406 (approx. 10%) unreported COVID-19 deaths outside hospital.  If, therefore, we use the current death rate of reported cases (12.8%) then that would equate to potentially an additional 3,172 unreported cases based on these figures (i.e. 402 deaths (12.8%) from 3,172 cases). 

NOTE If I use the lower death rate prevailing on 3 Apr of 9.4% then then the number of potentially unreported cases actually increases from 3,172 to 4,320 (i.e. 406 / 9.4%).

If we project the calculation onto current figures then 10% of 10,616 deaths = 1,062 additional deaths and 8,296 unreported cases.

I accept that the projections above are conjecture (as we don't know for a fact that all cases were not reported or were not contracted from a reported case) and in fact the number of unreported COVID-19 cases is actually likely to be much bigger and we will never know the true figure without wider testing. Also, it has been reported (by a whistleblower) that doctors are not always recording death due to COVID-19 and may just record death due to influenza or pneumonia or some other cause as if they haven't already tested positive then presumably they will not 'waste' a test on a dead person.

Public Health England Dashboard

Latest stats from Worldometers

Latest v previous day - increase/decrease

Country	New Cases 13 Apr	New Cases 12 Apr	New Case Increase	Deaths 13 Apr	Deaths 12 Apr	Death Increase
IT	3,153	4,092	-939	566	431	135
ES	3,268	3,804	-536	547	603	-56
DE	2,281	2,402	-121	172	151	21
FR	4,188	2,937	1,251	574	561	13
UK	4,342	5,288	-946	713	741	-28
US	26,241	27,421	-1,180	1,536	1,527	9

Latest v previous day - actuals

Daily	13-Apr				12-Apr
Country	New Cases	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%
IT	3,153	159,516	20,465	12.8%	156,363	19,899	12.7%
ES	3,268	170,099	17,756	10.4%	166,831	17,209	10.3%
DE	2,281	130,072	3,194	2.5%	127,854	3,022	2.4%
FR	4,188	136,779	14,967	10.9%	132,591	14,393	10.9%
UK	4,342	88,621	11,329	12.8%	84,279	10,616	12.6%
US	26,241	586,941	23,640	4.0%	560,300	22,104	3.9%

Latest v one week ago - actuals

Weekly	13-Apr				06-Apr
Country	New Cases	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%
IT	3,153	159,516	20,465	12.8%	132,547	16,523	12.5%
ES	3,268	170,099	17,756	10.4%	136,675	13,341	9.8%
DE	2,281	130,072	3,194	2.5%	103,375	1,810	1.8%
FR	4,188	136,779	14,967	10.9%	98,010	8,911	9.1%
UK	4,342	88,621	11,329	12.8%	51,608	5,373	10.4%
US	26,241	586,941	23,640	4.0%	370,019	10,895	2.9%

Latest v one week ago - percentage rate increase

	Daily		Weekly
Country	Total Cases Increase Factor	Death Rate  Increase Factor	Total Cases Increase Factor	Death Rate  Increase Factor
IT	102.0%	100.8%	120.3%	102.9%
ES	102.0%	101.2%	124.5%	106.9%
DE	101.7%	103.9%	125.8%	140.2%
FR	103.2%	100.8%	139.6%	120.4%
UK	105.2%	101.5%	171.7%	122.8%
US	104.8%	102.1%	158.6%	136.8%