A Northern Soul anthem recorded by Detroit's Precisions in 1967 on Drew.
Another version was discovered in the 70s by a Jamaican artist Eddie Spencer
who recorded a version on Canadian label Arc in 1968. It was reissued in the
UK on Power Exchange in 1976 such was its popularity.
Geno Washington recorded it sometime between 1967-1972. It gets its first commercial release on 7 " vinyl by Outta Site soon (date
not yet announced).
He is still perfroming live. I saw him a couple of years ago, but have to
admit that he's past his best!
The flip side is a previously unknown and unreleased version of
another classic, Ray Pollard's 'The Drifter' by an unknown singer
named UK Stuart Smith. This will be about the fifth known version of this
song (I posted four of them last year
here) and all four covers are by white British singers.
Geno's version of 'If This Is Love' was certainly known about at least 30
years ago as it featured on the
Bretby 1st Anniversary giveaway LP
in 1992. I understand that it was dubbed from a studio acetate owned then by
Chris King.
It also appeared on a Castle compilation CD
'Foot Stompin' Soul'
which I believe was first released in 1998 (although Discogs lists it as
2006).
The song was written by Cholly Bassoline, Marty Coleman and Mike Valvano
and was The Precisions biggest hit reaching #26 R&B and #60 Hot 100 in
1967.
Marty Coleman was a member of The Valadiers who released a few 45s on
Gordy in the early 60s.
Mike Valvano was lead of Mike & The Modifiers who released one 45
on Gordy in 1962. He recorded couple of solo singles in the 70s and
another as Mike & The Modifiers on Ian Levine's Motorcity label in
the 90s. In 2010 Outta Site released a whole album by him titled Michael
Valvano's Contours
'I'm A Winnner: The Albuquerque Sessions 1978-79'. The promo material states that Valvano was Motown's first white act
and that he recorded two albums for them that were never released.
Other known versions:
The Precisions [1967] -
If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely)
[Drew #D-1003] £40-£60
Eddie Spencer [1968] -
If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely)
[Arc #A 1206] £230-£365
The B side is
'You're So Good To Me Baby'
which, to these ears, has some similarities to Sam & Dave's
'Soul Man'.
Spencer recorded only three known singles, the other two were on
another Canadian label Goodgroove and these appear to be the last
two of only eight releases on the label. The first was 'Power Of
Love' and a cover of UK group The Foundations debut single 'Baby,
Now That I've Found You which was a UK #1 hit. 'Power Of Love was
released as flip to the UK reissue of 'If This Is Love' in 1976. His
last 45 was a Northern Soul rendition of Bobby Darin's 'Dream Lover' and a cover of
The Moody Blues' 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale'
Jamie & The Numbers [2019] -
If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely)
[ Deltaphonic #NZ-1875-001]
The follow-up single was
'Magic Touch'
another cover of a NS favourite recorded originally by
Melba Moore on Musicor on 1966 but was unreleased until it appeared on a 6Ts 100
Club 2nd Anniversary single by Kent in 1986. It's first commercial release
was on Ady Croasdell's Horace's label in 1987.
UPDATE
Thanks to USMAN47 for leaving a comment stating that Billy Prince (who sang
lead on this track for The Precisions) released a version on a live album
released only in Spain in 2017.
Billy Prince Of The Precisions [2017] - The Soulful Member Of The
Precisions [Gure Gauza Records #GGLP 101]
I managed to find a clip on YT of him performing it live at the Southpaw in Brooklyn posted in
2010.
And another from Mojo Workin' festival in Spain 2016, which may be when the live recording was done?
4 comments:
There is also a live version by Billy Prince, member of Precisions, during a concert in Spain in 2016 and released in 2017 on a Spanish LP Gure Gauza Records GGLP 101.
Thanks for your comment. I've found a couple of clips on YT - I am 'guessing' that the last one is when the recording was done?
Hi Yves
Thanks for your last comment which I won't post (owing to link).
I'm aware of the site and I'm sure he has sent me some stuff before if my memory is correct.
I've just also updated The Precisions Discography with Billy Princes releases. He's just released a new single in Feb 2021 if you weren't aware.
https://soulstrutter.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-precisions-complete-discography.html
Thank you very much for the info and your complete discography of the Precisions.
Yves
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