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Thursday 16 April 2020

Landy [1969] - Doctor Good Soul / Mama Dear [Moonshot MS 611]


Two good sides. A record I've had 'forever' which I'm pretty sure came from Soul Bowl mid 70s so over 40 years which has only recently (last few years) been getting the attention it deserves.  I always thought it had potential but not back then as it was just too slow.  Funny how things have slowed down as we've all got older!

Landy is Landy McNeil (Londell is his birth name) who released half a dozen 45s but was involved in writing and arranging for many artists well known to us e.g. We The People, The Satisfactions, The Softones, Zafira, Timothy Wilson, Milt Matthews and Sandy Mercer among others.

Landy [1969] - Doctor Good Soul / [Moonshot MS 611]

This is the better of the 2 sides just above mid-tempo and so soulful with an edge.


Landy [1969] - Mama Dear [Moonshot MS 611]

Mid-tempo Northern Soul which was the official A side.




Keni Lewis [1973] - Ain't Gonna Make It Easy / What's Your Sign? [De-Vel Zs& 6753]


A great crossover tune from 1973 from Keni Lewis with deep soul ballad on flip (official A side).


Keni St. Lewis was predominanly a prolific song writer who recorded only a handful of sides himself.  He was a member of several groups The Dreams, The Cairos, The Enjoyables and The Chancellors. He wrote songs recorded by Billy Butler, Gene Chandler and The O'Jays.  His repertoire includes many songs for many Northern Soul artists and includes several Shrine artists (D.C. Blossoms, Epsilons, The Cairos), Flower Shoppe, Vibrating Vibrations, The Dreams, The Coasters among others. In the 70s he wrote hits for The Sylvers and Tavares.

Keni Lewis [1973] - Ain't Gonna Make It Easy [De-Vel Zs& 6753]

Popular crossover with a nice YT clip, a pleasant change from the boring label scans only.


Keni Lewis [1973] - What's Your Sign? [De-Vel Zs& 6753]

Great deep soul ballad.




Johnny Scott [1981] - Let Me Be A Winner [Portra P-010-1]


A 45 discovered in early 80s by Soul Sam (Martin Barnfather) and Arthur Fenn who found it on a trip to the States and brought back about half a dozen copies.  The story from Sean Hampsey (on Soul Source) is that they had been playing it for a few months.  At an all-nighter at Rotherham Tiffanies, where they were all DJing, Sean had a rifle through Sam's sales box and found and bought a copy.  His set followed Sam's, so he stuck the new found 45 on the decks and it cleared the floor owing to the long slow intro. Sam frantically took over the 2nd deck with headphones to check all the remaining copies and found only one other copy with intro amonst the remaining copies.  Hence it was first discovered that there are 2 mixes of this 45, the 1st issue with long slow intro and 2nd without intro.

The song was written by J.O.S. (Johnny Oliver Scott) and arranged and produced by Errol Thomas in 1980 and was probably released 1981 or 1982.


Johnny Oliver Scott (b. 1938) is an R&B singer/songwriter/producer from Memphis.  He formed the Portra label in 1965 which went on to release around 13 45s, 7 by himself, 5 by Tom Sanders and 1 by Juanita Reddick.

He sang at many legendary clubs such as The Flamingo Room, Peppermint Lounge, The Vogue Club and presented a late-night Memphis TV talk show every Friday night from 1968-73 called The Johnny Scott Show which featured many of the greats such as B.B. King, Patti LaBell, Lou Rawls, Al Green, Little Milton and many more.


Johnny Scott [1981] - Let Me Be A Winner [Portra P-010-1]  

1st issue - Intro Version


Johnny Scott [1981] - Let Me Be A Winner [Portra P-010-1]

2nd issue - No intro version




James Brown [1976] - So Long [Polydor (BR) 2229188]


Apart from being an album track on 'Hot' in 1975, this tracks seems to have only been released as a B side to 'Hot (I Need To Be Loved, Loved, Loved, Loved)' on a Brazilain 45/EP in 1976 The Godfather Of Soul Vol. 4.



James Brown [1976] - Please, Please, Please [Polydor PD 6059]

Also on the album is a remake of his classic Please, Please, Please originally released on Federal in 1956 then on King in 1964.  Some versions had 'live' over dubbing.


James Brown [1974] - Please, Please, Please [Polydor PD 6059]

Another more uptempo version with a latin feel from the 'Hell' album in 1974.




The Incredibles [1966] - I Can't Get Over Losing Your Love / Crying Heart [Audio Arts! 701]


The Incredibles were Cal Waymon, Carl Gilbert, Alda Denise Edwards (Denise Erwin) and Jean Smith who released about a dozen 45s all on Madelon Baker's Audio Arts! L.A. based label (a few were subsequently reissued on other labels).  They also released a 10 track album 'Heart & Soul' on Audio Arts! in 1966. A 19 track expanded version was issued on Goldmine Soul Suppply in 1993 which contains both these sides which the original album excludes.

Madelon Baker is also credited with discovering the songwriter Jimmy Webb before he was snapped up by Jobete Music (Motown) for a short period before leaving and writing 'By The Time I Get To Phoenix'.

Alda Denise Edwards changed her name to Denise Erwin (perhaps she married?) and released a solo 45 on The Record Compnay in 1972 Why Did You Leave Me Baby / Determined

This was their 1st release (and the 2nd release) on Audio Arts in 1966.  It was 'reissued' in 1972 on Audio Arts (AA60028) with an instrumental of their other NS favourite 'There's Nothing Else To Say' by Audio Arts Strings, which makes me wonder if the infamous Simon Soussan perhaps had something to do with the reissue as he was famed for finding/creating instrumental versions of top sounds.

The Incredibles [1966] - I Can't Get Over Losing Your Love [Audio Arts! 701]

This is what would be regarded a 'proper' (archetypeal) Northern Soul.  That driving on-the-fours Motown beat. 


The Incredibles [1966] - Crying Heart [Audio Arts! 701]

Mid-tempo west coast Northern Soul.




Ila Vann [1972] - My Mother Said / You Made Me This Way [P.I.P. 4553]


Ila Vann (Ila Harriet Fields) was discovered by Mahalia Jackson when she was 8 years old. She has sung with Staples Singers, Sam Cooke, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Clara Ward and Louis Armstrong.  She released around 8 45s between 1963 and 1972 as Ila, Ila Van and Ila Vann. She has 2 brothers involved in music, Hampton Carlton sings with The Mighty Clouds Of Joy and Paul Vann was with Andre Crouch but has also released 5 45s (1967-69) (3 on Sound Stage 7) which are a mix of Northern and Deep soul. 'One Track Mind' on Chance is one of his best known on NS scene.  His 45s have that Stax/Atlantic mid 60s Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Arthur Conley type of sound.


As Ila Van, she had a big Northern Soul tune played in the early days 'Can't Help Loving That Man Of Mine' (an uptempo and contemporary arrangement of a well known show song) which got a UK release on Pye Disco Demand in 1974 (as 'Can't Help Loving Dat Man') - one of 18 45s released to 'cash in' on the rising popularity of Northern Soul since the opening of Wigan Casino in Sep 1973.

There was another Disco Demand series (the 2000 series) which released 'tailor-mades' (only 7 got released) and also 2 compilation albums released 'Disco Demand's Solid Soul Sensations' and 'Great Disco Demands'.

Ila Vann [1972] - My Mother Said [P.I.P. 4553]

This is the official A side which has started to get spins on the Sunday ciricuit.


Ila Vann [1972] - You Made Me This Way [P.I.P. 4553]

This is generally the 'in-demand' side that is only available on the rarer stock copy, as the promo has My Mother Said on both sides.  It has been rising in price in recent years and at time of writing only 2 were available for sael on Discogs for £450.




G.C. Cameron [1976] - Strong Love [Motown M6-855S1]


Superb Modern Soul from 1976 taken from G.C. (George Curtis) Cameron's eponymous second Motown album that never saw a 45 release.

G.C. Cameron of course was lead singer with The Detroit Spinners until they left Motown in 1971, G.C. choosing to stay at Motown.  He rejoining them between 2000-03.




Four Coins & Billy Lang Orch. [1973] - Maybe She's Right [ Lan-Co 2005]


Smooth mid-tempo blue-eyed Northern Soul out of Cleveland, Ohio from 1973.

Written by brothers(?) Jospeph (Joey) Porello and Robert Porello.  Joey was a member of The 'G.T.O.'s who had a side played at Wigan Casino The Girl From New York City (which is not the same song as The Boy From New York City by The Ad Libs) which is prettty dire pop music to my ears, written by Brian Wilson (of The Beach Boys? I doubt it as he was California based and this is on Cameo Parkway but who knows?) and Joey & The Continentals. Joey Porello had a solo release on Drive in 1975 a disco track 'Fools Rush In' backed with a bland ballad 'Those Are The Good Old Days'.

Although Discogs has bundled this in with The Four Coins vocal harmony group formed in 1952 from Canonsburg PA, I'm fairly sure this is not the same group.


Four Coins & Billy Lang Orch. [1973] - Forward Together [ Lan-Co 2005]

Group harmony




Versions Excursion - When Love Slips Away - 10 Versions


All the versions I can find of the mid-tempo Northern Soul / Crossover classic originally recorded by Dee Dee Warwick in 1967 and written by Philly's Jerry Ross, with Scott English and Victor Mellrose (not Meldrew!  .... I don't believe It!)

Dee Dee Warwick [1967] - When Love Slips Away [Mercury 72667]


Margo & The Marvettes [1967] - When Love Slips Away [Pye 7N.17423]

Margo Downs and her five piece band of male instrumentalists from County Down, Northern Ireland.  They released 4 45s between 1964 and 1967, this being their last. Margo sound very like Dusty Springfiled to me on this track.


The Identities [1970] - When You Find Love Slipping Away [Together 1410 45-300]

This would appear to be the only release on the label and was a promo only.  They re-released the track on Nashville's House Of The Fox.


The Identities [1971] - When Love Slips Away [House Of The Fox HOF-6]


The Fashions [1968] - When Love Slips Away [20th Century Fox 45-FOX 6703]

The Fashions were from New York and George Kerr had some involvement with them. They only released 2 45s and this one was also releasd in UK on Stateside in 1968 with I.O.U. (A Love Of A Lifetime) on flip which was also released on Evolution with the flip He Gives Me Love (La La La) only released in UK.


Jay & The Techniques [1968] - Love, Lost & Found [Smash #SRS 67102]

From their 1968 album 'Love, Lost & Found'.


Jay Proctor [2006] - When Love Slips Away [Forevermore FVR 4618-2]

Jay Proctor, the lead singer of Jay of Jay & The Techniques released a solo version on his 'Still Got Flow' CD released in 2006.



Here's a couple of MOR instrumental versions ... just for completeness!

The Jerry Ross Symposium [1999] - Whe Love Slips Away [Heritage H005]

Jerry Ross was one of the composers of the track.


Curtis Robinson [2015] - When Love Slips Away [Self Released]

Jazz instrumental version taken from his 2015 'Dancin' In The Streets' CD


Wynton Kelly Trio [1979] - When Love Slips Away [Delmark #DS-441]

Jazz instrumental version taken from his 1979 'On Powertree' album.



Etta James [2011] - Can't Shake It [Kent CDKEND 345]


After the huge Ronnie Walker Discography post yesteraday I aim to keep them short and sweet today with several quick-fire posts.

This is an unissued recording from 1964, written and produced by Ed Townsend at the same session as 'Mellow Fellow', which first surfaced on a 2011 Kent Etta James compliation 'Who's Blue? Rare Chess Recordings of 60s And 70s'. It was subsequently bootlegged on Soul Wax 45, but the only official way to own it is buying the Kent CD or if you want vinyl, then it was released in 2014 on DJ Snowboy Presents The Good Foot on BGP (both available from Ace/Kent links on images below). I am surprised that Kent hasn't released on a 45 yet but apparently Kent have had some problems obtaining the rights.

A great bit of Northern Soul.






COVID10-15th April 2020


Summary

US new cases exceed 30,000 once again (30,206) and deaths up 75 on yesterday's figures at 2,482. New York cases now exceed 200,000 (214,648) with next worst affected state New Jersey with 71,030 cases.
Recovery Rate v Death Rate
63.06% v 36.94% recovery rate increasing

ES saw a spike in new cases of 6,599 the highest number for 11 days with an increase in deaths of 58 at 557.
Recovery Rate v Death Rate
79.33% v 20.6% recovery rate increasing

IT new cases continue to reduce and remain under 3,000 (2,667) and deaths reduce by 44 at 558.
Recovery Rate v Death Rate
63.77% v 36.23% recovery rate reducing

FR new cases reduced by 2,004 to 4,520 but number of deaths almost doubled from 762 to 1,438 to their highest number to date and the 6th day that deaths in France have been over 1,000.
Recovery Rate v Death Rate
64.33% v 34.67% recovery rate reducing

DE new cases up 405 to 2,543 and deaths up 8 to 405
Recovery Rate v Death Rate
95.02% v 4.98% recovery rate reducing

UK new cases dwon 649 to 4,603 and deaths down 17 to 761.
As predicted UK is on course for 100,000 cases exactly in line with Italy 4/5 days after 75,000 cases.
Recovery Rate v Death Rate
2.6% v 97.4% recovery rate reducing
NOTE UK does not appear to be removing recovered cases from active cases hence low recovery rate


Latest stats from Worldometers

Latest Recovery Rate v Death Rate

Total Active Conc. Recvd. Deaths Recvd% Death%
IT 165,155 105,418 59,737 38,092 21,645 63.77% 36.23%
ES 180,549 90,994 90,994 72,182 18,812 79.33% 20.67%
DE 134,753 58,349 76,404 72,600 3,804 95.02% 4.98%
FR 147,863 99,741 48,122 30,955 17,167 64.33% 35.67%
UK 98,476 85,264 13,212 344 12,868 2.60% 97.40%
US 644,089 566,859 77,230 48,701 28,529 63.06% 36.94%

Latest v previous day - increase / deacreass

Country
New Cases
15 Apr
New Cases
14 Apr
New Case Increase
 
Deaths
15 Apr
 
Deaths
14 Apr
 
Death
Increase
IT 2,667 2,972 -305 558 602 -44
ES 6,599 3,961 2,638 557 499 58
DE 2,543 2,138 405 309 301 8
FR 4,520 6,524 -2,004 1,438 762 676
UK 4,603 5,252 -649 761 778 -17
US 30,206 26,945 3,261 2,482 2,407 75

Latest v previous day - actuals

Daily 15-Apr 14-Apr
Country New Cases Total Cases No. Deaths Death Rate% Total Cases No. Deaths Death Rate%
IT 2,667 165,155 21,625 13.1% 162,488 21,067 13.0%
ES 6,599 180,549 18,812 10.4% 174,060 18,255 10.5%
DE 2,543 134,753 3,804 2.8% 132,210 3,495 2.6%
FR 4,520 147,863 17,167 11.6% 143,303 15,729 11.0%
UK 4,603 98,476 12,868 13.1% 93,873 12,107 12.9%
US 30,206 644,089 28,529 4.4% 613,886 26,047 4.2%

Latest v one week ago - actuals

Weekly 15-Apr 08-Apr
Country New Cases Total Cases No. Deaths Death Rate%
Total
Cases
No.
Deaths
Death Rate%
IT 2,667 165,155 21,645 13.1% 139,422 17,669 12.7%
ES 6,599 180,549 18,812 10.4% 148,220 14,792 10.0%
DE 2,543 134,753 3,804 2.8% 113,296 2,349 2.1%
FR 4,520 147,863 17,167 11.6% 112,950 10,869 9.6%
UK 4,603 98,476 12,868 13.1% 60,733 7,097 11.7%
US 30,206 644,089 28,529 4.4% 435,518 14,811 3.4%

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 101.6% 101.0% 118.5% 103.4%
ES 103.7% 99.3% 121.8% 104.4%
DE 101.9% 106.8% 118.9% 136.2%
FR 103.2% 105.8% 130.9% 120.7%
UK 104.9% 101.3% 162.1% 111.8%
US 104.9% 104.4% 147.9% 130.2%