Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers [2023] - Never Gonna Give You Up (Radio Edit) [Diplomats Of Soul]

Dropped on Bandcamp last week is an edit of Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers' 1979 cover of Jerry Butler's "Never Gonna Give You Up". It was initially released on their Source album "Bustin' Loose" with the 5:43 album version being released as a single. The new Edit is 4:20.

The song is an evergreen written by Butler along with Gamble & Huff and has been covered many times including by Gene Chandler, Eddie Floyd, Shirley & The Shirelles, Isaac Hayes, Lyn Collins and Michael Henderson to name a few.

It's out on vinyl on Expansion's Diplomats of Soul imprint, we think as a Record Store Day release given the cat. no. is 7RSDDOS1.

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

Details

Rating:	8.7
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	27/04/2023
Key/BPM:	8A/76
Price:	£14.50

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Down To Earth [2007] - I Want To Ta-Ta You Baby [Live @ Ronnie Scott's]

Earlier this week (Thursday) I posted this version of Johnny 'Guitar' Watson's song "I Want To Ta-Ta You Baby" from his 1976 album "Ain't That A Bitch".  I deliberately didn't state who the artist was so that there was no 'prejudice'.

I can now reveal that the artist is none other than current UK Soul Chart toppers Down To Earth,  The song was recorded live at the world famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in June 2007.

This is an incredible 'one take' live performance, the vocals (lead and backing), guitar, horns and the whole arrangement is superb. Can you imagine what a studio version would sound like? I've suggested that they record it on their new album, however they have stated that they don't like to do covers on their albums, only original material, which is fair play to them!

I Want To Ta-Ta You Baby - A SoulStrutter Exclusive

In 1976 Johnny 'Guitar' Watson wrote and recorded "I Want To Ta-Ta You Baby" on his "Ain't That A Bitch" album. 

In Jun this year Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers 1980 album "Funk Express" was reissued with four previously unreleased bonus tracks, one of which was his version of  the song.

Follow links to listen to the two versions above.

Well, I have just received another version recorded live by an, as yet, undisclosed artist. Please let me know what you think of it in the comments!

Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers [2021] - I Want To Ta Ta You Baby [Raw Venture Records & Tapes, Inc.]

When you think of Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers the first track that probably comes to mind is their only hit "Bustin' Loose", or if you're into modern soul then the follow up, their version of the Jerry Butler 1968 song (co-written with Gamble & Huff) "Never Gonna Give You Up" which did absolutely nothing commercially for them. The song was also recorded by Shirley & The Shirelles the following year and, another, probably lesser known, version was done by Bonnie Bramlett in 1976 with Dobie Gray supporting her on vocals. There are around another ten versions from the likes of Gene Chandler, Eddie Floyd, Thee Midniters in 1968, Isaac Hayes, Lyn Collins in the 70s and Michael Henderson in 1981.

Another track of interest from their 1979 debut album is the ballad "Could It Be Love" with hints of Teddy P.

Their second album from 1980 "Funk Express" has just been remastered and reissued with four previously unreleased bonus tracks. It also has  a good version of  David Oliver's "Who Are You" and also a version of  The Crusaders / Side Effect / Willie Bobo, Wayne Henderson written, "Keep That Same Old Feeling".

One of the bonus tracks is a killer, bluesy, deep soul tune. It was written by Johnny 'Guitar' Watson who recorded it on his 1976 "Ain't That A Bitch" album (included below).

Details

Rating:	9
Genre/Style:	Deep Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Raw Venture Records & Tapes, Inc.
Cat No:	None
Year:	04/06/2021
Key/BPM:	3B/59
Value:	£7.99