Connie Stevens [2023] - Tick Tock / Keep Growing Strong [Measured Mile #NW 514]

Coming at the end of March on Ace's Measured Mile imprint is a reissue of Connie Steven's 1970 Bell single "Tick Tock" / "Keep Growing Strong".

The lead side, "Tick-Tock", has had spins on the Northern Soul scene for many year and is a perhaps a Marmite tune as the singer was an established 'blonde bombshell' singer/actress from the 50s & 60s appearing in several movies and TV series including Maverick with James Garner. There was another version of the song, a rather bland MOR version by The Vogues, a white quartet from Pittsburgh, released the same year on a Reprise album only.

However, flip it over and you find the original recording of "Betcha By Golly Wow" which was retitled to "Keep Growing Stronger" at the behest of Bell Records owner Larry Utall, who hated the original title. I have to say that I'm with him on that one as the original title is a bit 'naff'! It would be another two years before The Stylistics had a wordlwide hit with it.

In her short stay at Bell between 1970-72 she also recorded a few other songs with Thom Bell including a version of The Delfonics' "La La Means I Love You" along with "I Don't Know" slotted for release on Bell 992 in April 1971. Whether it was released or not is a mystery as no copies seem to have been listed or turned up. Thankfully, Anthony Reichardt's excellent YouTube channel has somehow unearthed copies of both sides.

Some may question the white sounding vocals but it is an example of the early Philly sound productions coming out of Joe Tarsia's Sigma Sound studios.

Lovers of beat ballads may wish to check out "Now That You've Gone" (Warner Bros. 1965). The song was co-written by Petula Clark and recorded on her 1965 "Downtown" album but don't let that put you off!

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Details

Rating:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul / Sweet Soul / Blue-Eyed
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Measured Mile
Cat No:	NW 514
Date:	31/03/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£10.88

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