Big Dee Irwin occasionally, and confusingly, interchanged his name to Ervin (his birth name), Erwin, Irvin and other combinations such as Big Dee, Dee, Difosco. He had a big hit in 1963, a duet with Little Eva (although she was not credited) on 'Swinging On A Star' first sung by Bing Crosby in the movie Going My Way in 1944. Many may dismiss him on the basis of that recording and some other 'novelty' records he released around the same time, presumably 'advised' by the record company to 'cash in' on the hit, but picking through his catalogue he did turn in some great performances when the material was right, which it was mainly when he wrote the songs himself.
I've ignored his recordings prior to 1965 as these are generally of no real interest to soul listeners. He changed label many times over his career, presumably dropped by each label after not acheiving that elusive hit single? In fact I can't find any entries for him in Joel Whitburn's Top R&B singles, which would imply that he didn't achieve any R&B chart entries which I find difficult to comprehend, but perhaps owing to his constant change in name they abondoned trying to catalogue him?
Discography 1965-1988
1965 - Discotheque / The Sun's Gonna Shine Tomorrow [Roulette #R-4596]
I've included links on titles for these two tracks and have included just for completness as I don't really rate either of them.
1965 - You Satisfy My Needs [Rotate #851]
Written by Motown writing team Lori Burton & Pam Sawyer, I'm surprised that there doesn't seem to be any other recordings of this masterpiece ... unless of course you know otherwise? It was, surprisingly, released in UK on Stateside at the same time.
A 'Big City Soul' beat ballad. This is just so atmospheric if you can imagine this bellowing around a large dance hall. Very much in the vein of Ray Pollard's classic The Drifter.
1965 - I Wanna Stay Right Here With You [Rotate #851]
This is a more 'traditional' NS dancer, but it's the other side (above) these days that it's 'in-demand' for.
1965 - Follow My Heart [Rotate #853]
Another beat ballad from 1965 on Rotate.
1965 - Stop Heart [Rotate #853]
Another 'Big City Soul' beat ballad on the flip.
1966 - A Sweet Young Thing Like You [Fairmount #F1005]
A mid-paced soulful ballad.
1966 - You Really Are Together [Fairmount #F1005]
Co-written with Timi Yuro. A 'traditional' NS tune which I've never heard played anywhere. It's got all the ingredients, catchy, soulful, girlie backing and great drum beats and breaks. It's a cheapie, perhaps that's why?
1966 - I Can't Get Over You [Polydor (UK) #56715]
Suzie & Big Dee Irwin
This was only released in Europe, initially as a 4 track EP and then as 2 singles. A duet with a Dutch born, Sweden based, blue-eyed singer Suzie (Maria Catharina Martina Pereboom) who would have been 19 or 20 when this was released. It's a pleasant enough mid-paced 'floater' with Dee's male vocals 'saving' it from being an otherwise shrill 60s 'girlie' sound.
1966 - Ain't That Lovin' You [Polydor (UK) #56715]
A 'typical' mid 60s, mid-tempo, boy/girl duet in the same mould as Chuck Jackson & Maxine Brown, Peggy Scott & Jo Jo Benson etc.
1967 - Better To Have Loved And Lost [Phil L.A. of Soul #303]
This came out in 2019 on a Jamie 'Northern Soul Philly Edition' compilation which must have been a digital compilation only available for download at the usual places (iTunes/Spotify) as I can find no trace of it otherwise. It isn't what I would really class as Northern Soul, not even a beat ballad just a 'deepish' soul ballad. Whilst there are some NS tracks on the compilation it's a bit of a misnomer, it's a trawl through the Jamie Guyden catalogue of more obscure tracks with crossover, ballads and deep soul tracks included. It's well worth checking out here if interested.
1967 - Linda [Phil L.A. of Soul #303]
On the flip side of 'Better To Have Loved And Lost'. This was also released on a NS compilation, this time 'The Northern Side of Philly Soul', and this is 'proper' NS as traditionalists would know it.
1968 - I Can't Stand The Pain [Imperial #66320]
Another change of label, this time over to Imperial. I would classify this probably more as crossover as it's got more of a syncopated (almost funky) beat rather than the four on the floor.
1968 - My Hope to Die Girl [Imperial #66320]
Deep soul ballad.
1968 - I Only Get This Feeling [Redd Coach #R9-7/ Imperial #66295]
It is this record he was first, and best, known for on UK NS scene, the original version (which he wrote) of 'I Only Get This Feeling' also recorded by Chuck Jackson and Carl Carlton, probably because by this time Dee Irwin was a producer at ABC and both were released on ABC.
It was also released on Redd Coach (owned by Gene Redd Jr.) which I understand to be a slightly different take and presumably recorded before he signed to Imperial (although SoulfulKindaMusic discography lists it as also being released on Cub 9155 in 1968 (which I can't find anywhere so must be pretty rare). I believe that the name was a printing error as it is the only release (other than The Appointments) on 'Redd' rather than 'Red' Coach, on which Kool & The Gang's first single was released in 1969 and the B side, and several of their other early recordings, were written by Redd who also became their manager and producer.
1968 - Wrong Direction [Redd Coach #R9-7/ Imperial #66295]
A mid-tempo 60s soul tune. Northern'ish.
Dee Irwin & Mamie Galore
1968 - By The Time I Get To Phoenix / I Say A Little Prayer [Imperial #66334]
This was a Christmas record with 'All I Want For Christmas Is Your Love' on the flip which I featured in the Xmas mix I did a few weeks back.
On the face of it this record just 'shouldn't' work but it does. He's 'double tracking' with him singing 'Phoenix' and interchanging with Mamie Galore singing 'Prayer', it's not a medley as such as it constantly switches between the two of them singing different songs. I really like it, it's unique, I can't think of any other records that have tried something like this. Mamie Galore was another underated singer who never charted who I should feature in the future.
1969 - I Didn't Wanna Do It, But I Did [Imperial #66359]
'New wave' NS funky crossover. I say 'new wave' as never in a million years would this have ever been played in the 70s - too slow and too jerky/funky but this is exactly what is being picked up on nowadays. A decent double-sider with Lennon & McCartney's 'Day Tripper' on the flip has driven the price into 3 figures.
1969 - Day Tripper [Imperial #66359]
A decent driving NS version of The Beatles song, which was also tackled by J.J. Barnes on Ric-Tic in 1966 and several others had a go at it such as The Vontastics, also in 1966, and Otis Redding in 1967.
No sound clips available.
In the 70s he reverted back to being known as Dee Ervin or his first name DiFosco.
1971 - Sunshine Love [Earthquake #EQ 2]
DiFosco
This is a driving NS tune.
1971 - You Saved Me From Destruction [Earthquake #EQ 2]
Another sort of funky/crossover track.
Dee Ervin
1972 - Darling Please Take Me Back / Willie Pass The Water [Signpost #SP-70009]
No sound clips available.
1974 - Love Is Good (Good To Me) [Hotlanta #HL 302]
B side to Love What You're Doing To Me (no sound clip available). His voice sounds different to me on this outing. A hard one to categorise - it's unusal - sort of 70s modern, funky soul but bordering on rock/pop/soul.
2005 - If It Wasn't For The Children [Kent #CDKEND 256]
Unissued, but released on 'Holding The Losing Hand Hotlanta Soul 3' CD on Kent in 2005. A driving southern soul style NS dancer.
1976 - You Broke My Face [Roxberry #RB 2027]
This is the B side to Face To Face (no sound clip available) which was also released as DiFosco on Roxberry RB 2020.
Deep Soul ballad
1977 - I Can't Get You Off My Mind [Roxberry #RB-2033]
Smooth 70s mid tempo modern soul number from 1977 which seems to be a promo only.
DiFosco
1977 - The I Love You Song [Roxberry #RB-2033 / 20th Century-Fox #TC-2382]
This was the B side to above but also released on 20th Century Fox in 1978 as DiFfosco (which is his birth christian name - shortened to Dee). I'm not completely sure if it's exactly the same mix as the Roxbury issue. It may not be as the 77 issue is credited to D Irwin (and appears to be promo only) and 78 to Jerry williams Jr.
1978 - The I Love You Song / Ship Of Love [20th Century-Fox #TC-2382]
Modern Soul / Disco
1978 - David Williams (Dee Ervin on lead vocals uncredited) - Soul Is Free / Soul Is Free (LP Version) [Avi #AVI201-S]
Modern Soul / Boogie
1978 - Dave Williams Inner Circle - Come On Down, Boogie People [Avi # AVI-214-S]
Modern Soul / Boogie
1978 - David Williams Out Of The Sheets-Into The Streets [Avi # AVI-214-S]
Modern Soul / Funk
DiFosco
1980 - Now That We Done Partyd' All Night (Let's Make Love) [Atomic Art (IT) #DM 911]
This appears to have been released only in Italy with 'The I Love You Song' on the flip. It's nothing to 'write home about' a fairly pedestrian modern soul / 'disco' track.
Released only in UK - no sound clip availabe
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