Ronnie McNeir - A Profile Of... 60s/70s Recordings

Another 'unsung' artist celebrating his birthday today is Ronnie McNeir (70) who I first became aware of from his ultra rare Northern Soul classic "Sitting In My Class" which was his first recording on De-To in 1966 aged 17 which now fetches up to nearly £2k (or probably more now if you were lucky enough to find one). I've had to make do with a 70s 'pressing' to this day. 

I think I'm correct in saying that it has only ever been released on CD once via Goldmine Soul Supply on "The Essential Northern Soul Story" in 1990 but stand to be corrected if you know otherwise. It has had various legal, or otherwise, 'reissues' since. The flip side is "Isn't She A Pretty Girl" which received a cover by fellow current Four Tops member Alexander Morris this year on Izipho Soul (posted in April). What a terrific double-sider of Northern soul 'loveliness'!

Whilst on the subject I noticed that Doc Smallwood did a pretty good cover of it on Sonic Wax in the last year or so. 

Ronnie replaced the legendary Levi Stubbs in the Four Tops in 1999 when Stubbs became ill and has been a member ever since.

For some reason his next single didn't materialise until 1972 but it was another gem. "In Summertime" on RCA Victor. It was released twice with two different B Sides, the first with "Young Girl" (the better of the two) and then again in 1973 with "Keep Your Hands Off My Lady" which was probably originally scheduled as the A side as a same sided demo exists. Whilst at RCA Victor he released his debut self-titled album in 1972.  

His next single "Wendy Is Gone", another long time favourite, with "Give Me A Sign", appeared on his own label Rising Sun in 1973 and was then reissued on Motown vice-president Barney Ales' Prodigal label  where he released a further two singles ("For Your Love" / "You Better Come On Down" and  "Saggitarian Affair" (as misspelt on label) / "You Better Come On Down") and another self-titled album in 1975 which has a few killer cuts that didn't make it to 45 such as "I'm Your Lover". Motown artist Kim Weston, who was a friend of McNeir when he moved to L.A. in 1971, provides backing vocals.

Through his connection with Barney Ales, his next album, "Love's Comin' Down", was on Motown in 1976. He released just one single for Motown "Selling My Heart To The Junkman" / "Love Proposition".

His final single of the 70s was on Tortoise International Different Kind Of Love (Feat. Rena Scott) / Good Side Of Your Love in 1978.

For now I'm just gong to cover his 60s/70s material otherwise the post will get too big but will do another post of his later material.

Here's a small 'showcase' of some of his best 60s/70s sides followed by a Discography of his releases for this period.

Singles 

De-To

1966 - Sitting In My Class / Isn't She A Pretty Girl [De-To #DS 2878]

RCA Victor

1972 - In Summertime / Young Girl [RCA Victor #74-0777]

1973/05 - In Summertime / Keep Your Hands Off My Lady [RCA Victor #74-0958]

Prodigal

1975 - Wendy Is Gone / Give Me A Sign [Prodigal #P614]

1975/08 - For Your Love / You Better Come On Down [Prodigal #P-619]

1975/11 - Saggitarian Affair / You Better Come On Down [Prodigal #PLP 0620F]

Motown

1976/08 - Selling My Heart To The Junkman / Love Proposition [Motown #M 1396F]

Tortoise International

1978/09 - Different Kind Of Love (Feat. Rena Scott) / Good Side Of Your Love [Tortoise International #YB-11381]

Albums

1972 - Ronnie McNeir [RCA Victor #LSP-4723]

Full Album HERE

Extra, Extra (4:07)

Daddy's Coming Home (2:58)

The Tears In My Heart (3:24)

Gone Away (2:59)

Trouble's A Loser (3:02)

Young Girl (2:58)

You Better Make Sure (2:30)

I'm So Thankful (2:50)

In Summertime (2:45)

Keep Your Hands Off My Lady (3:57)

Girl You're Gonna Lose Your Groove (2:55)

1975 - Ronnie McNeir [Prodigal #PLP-10007]

Full Album HERE

For Your Love (3:02)

Since I Don't Have Your Love (3:08)

Now She's Gone (3:51)

I'm Your Lover (3:27)

Baby Come Back Home (4:29)

Sagittarian Affair (2:49)

You Are Everything (3:15)

Spirit Of Love (4:00)

Nothing But A Heartache (2:57)

Wendy Is Gone (2:45)

Give Me A Sign (3:24)

1976 - Love's Comin' Down [Motown #M6-870S1]

Full Album HERE

NB the link is to an expanded edition of the original album released on CD in 2010 by Expansion which has an additional 7 tracks.

You're All I Need To Survive (3:58)

Selling My Heart To The Junkman (3:56)

My Love Is Comin' Down (4:11)

Say You Will (4:04)

2-1= Loneliness (3:21)

Have You Ever Seen Them Shake (Shake It Baby) (3:12)

Funky Situation (3:45)

It Won't Be Long (When We're All Gone) (3:31)

Goodbye After Sunday (4:27)

Mama And Daddy (5:29)

Expanded Edition tracks:

These are all, presumably unreleased, gems left in the can by Motown!

Some stunning tracks in here!

Betcha I'll Prove (3:57)

Dream Come True (4:45)

For Those Who Don't Believe (4:29)

I Can't See Myself (Without You) (3:36)

Just You Babe (7:03)

Love Proposition (3:58)

Start Over As Your Man (9:54)