R.I.P. Nolan Porter (10/05/1949 - 04/02/2021)

Just heard the sad news that yet another soul 'legend' of UK Northern Soul scene has departed on 4 Feb 2021 aged 71.

N.F. (Nolan Frederick) Porter first came to prominance on the scene with 'Keep On Keeping On' (used by Joy Division (Warsaw) on 'Interzone' on their debut album 'Unknown Pleasures' in 1979) and then as Nolan 'If I Could Only Be Sure'  (covered by Paul Weller on his 2004 album Studio 150).

BBC Midlands report from 2013

A short clip on Nolan performimg at London's 100 Club on 1 July 2012

There is an interview with him at the time he perfromed at The 100 Club on Huffington Post.

As a tribute here's some footage of him performing these two songs on Craig Charles BBC6 funk & soul show in 2014 with Stone Foundation.

Keep On Keeping On

If I Could Only Be Sure

Discography

Albums

Both released using name Nolan. Both albums featured members of Frank Zappa's Mothers Of Invertion. He would later marry Zappa's sister, Candy. The backing singers were The Blackberries i.e. Clydie King, Sherlie Matthews and Venetta Fields.

1970 - No Apologies [Lizard #A-20102] Listen to expended album here

1972 - Nolan [ABC #ABCX 766] Listen to expanded album here

Featured Johnny 'Guitar' Watson.

He featured on the following album tracks:

2004 - Neonfire - Neonfire

Porter lead on 'Lying Down'  and duet with wife Candy Zappa on 'Alive'

2010 - Stone Foundation - Away From The Grain

'Right Track', 'Tracing Paper'

2011 - Candy Zappa - To Be Perfectly Frank

Two duets with wife Candy Zappa: 'Alive', 'Hot As Sun'

2014 - Stone Foundation - To Find The Spirit

'Bring Back The Happiness', 'Crazy Love'

2014 - Stone Foundation - Finding The Spirit

'Keep On Keeping On'

This was a 30 minute documentary of his return to music after a 30 year absence which was included on the DVD.  I am not able to find a clip of it but you can read about it on director Lee Cogswell's facebook page.

2015 - Stone Foundation - A Life Unlimited

'Beverly'

Singles

Nolan

1970 - Crazy Love / What Would You Do If I Did That To You [Lizard / Ampex #X-21003]

1971 - I Like What You Give / Somebody's Cryin' [Lizard #X-21008]

Frederick II

1971 Groovin' Out On Life / Gwendolyn [Vulture #45-5002]

On both sides he diverges towards reggae/ska

N.F. Porter

1971 - Keep On Keeping On / Don't Make Me Color My Black Face Blue [Lizard #45-1010]

Nolan Porter

1972 - If I Could Only Be Sure / Work It Out In The Morning [ABC #ABC-11343]

1973 - Singer Man / Oh Baby [ABC #ABC-11367]

Stone Foundation Feat. Nolan Porter

2011 - Tracing Paper / Dogtooth [Heavy Soul #ROR015HS3]

Nolan Porter & Stone Foundation

2013 - Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum / Warning Signs [Heavy Soul #ROR044HS31]

Nolan Porter

2017 - Go-Go-Go [Soulside]

He also wrote 'Funky L.A.' for Lizard label mate Paul Humphrey & His Cool Aid Chemists who also had a a record spun on the NS scene, a funky instrumental 'Cochise'.