The Invitations [2024] - Look On The Good Side / They Say The Girl’s Crazy [Expansion Records #EXS042]

The Invitations are perhaps best known for a couple of Northern Soul monsters. They released their first three records on Bob & Dan Crewe's New York based DynoVoice in 1965-66. Their last for the label, "Skiing In The Snow", was arguably their biggest on the scene and was infamously covered by Wigan's Ovation in 1975 when mass media attention was focused on NS and Wigan Casino in particular, to much chagrin. However, the more soulful "What's Wrong With Me Baby" (also written by Randell & Linzer and recorded on the label by The Toys on their only album in 1966 but not released as a single until 1973 on Virgo), is much better in our opinion. Wigan's Ovation also had a bash at that song on their album "Northern Soul Dancer".

None of the three singles registered on the R&B chart yet they found their way to a major label, MGM, for their next two singles followed by just one on Diamond in 1968. Without any chart success from their first six singles up to 1968, they appear to have gone into hiatus until 1973 when they re-emerged on Silver Blue with Lew Kirton as their lead singer. Their, and the label's, first single was a cover of Jerry Butler's "For Your Precious Love" (co-written with former Impressions The Brooks Brothers (Arthur and Richard)) which gained them their first entry onto the R&B chart peaking at  #17 and just missing out on a Hot 100 position at #110. However, the flip side, "They Say The Girl's Crazy", is what it's sought after for nowadays having been a firm favourite on the modern soul scene for decades. If it's new to you then be prepared to be blown away as it's a superb example of mid 70s Philly soul and is still relatively cheap and easy to pick up on original vinyl, proving that you don't have to take out a mortgage to buy top quality soul records.

The group released three further singles for the label, all produced by Philly producer Bobby Martin, the last being "Look On The Good Side" which has been paired with "They Say The Girl's Crazy" by Expansion Records for release on 7" vinyl next month with the original Silver Blue design.

The group recorded just one more single on Red Greg in 1977. Kirton, of course, went on to have a solo career releasing four albums and had a Northern/Modern Soul favourite in his own right with "Heaven In The Afternoon" on Alston / T.K. in 1977. (posted HERE along with both sides on the reissue and a couple of others by Lew Kirton).

Details

Rating:	8.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Philly Soul
Format:	Single / Reissue
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Expansion Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	TBC (Apr '24)
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£12

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NS550 Lew Kirton [1978] - Heaven In The Afternoon [Alston 3743]

550 Lew Kirton [1978] - Heaven In The Afternoon [Alston 3743]

b/w:	Heaven In The Afternoon (Inst)
Format:	45 / 12
Label:	Alston / TK
Cat No:	3743 / 103
Year:	1978
Value:	£100-£170

Hot on the heels of Charles Johnson is another modern soul Alston recording. Lew Kirton hails from Barbados, West Indies where at 13 he had a number one single called 'What About You'.  He later moved to Canada and became lead singer with The Missing Links.  In 1969 he moved to the US and became drummer for The Sam & Dave Revue. In 1972 he accepted an 'invitation' to become the lead singer with The Invitations and was lead on the modern soul favourite 'They Say The Girl's Crazy' on Silver Blue.  He turned solo in  the  late 70s and 'Heaven In The Afternoon' became a favourite in both Modern and Northern rooms and is still a floorfiller today.  He later also recorded 'It's Where You're Coming From' for B. Baker's Chocolate Company on T.K.  
He released 2 albums in the 80s; 'Just Arrived' Alston 1980 (which included in demand tracks 'Something Special' and 'NYC') and 'Talk To Me' on Believe In A Dream records (CBS) 1983. It is rather confusing as Just Arrived has also been repackaged a number of times as 'Heaven In The Afternoon' with slightly different track listings.

He released 'Don't Wanna Wait' on Tweedside (US) MCA (UK) in 1986 but was was inactive during the 90s returning in 2004 with 'Forever' for Dac-Bag Productions and So Into You in 2010 both released on Tweeside.

Lew Kirton [1977] - Do What You Want, Be What You Are [Marlin 3311]

Deep soul track of the highest order written by Hall & Oates and released in 1977.

He recorded a modern version of the Darrel Banks classic 'Open The Door (To Your Heart)' on 'So Into You' [Tweedside] 27/10/10

The Invitations [1973] - They Say The Girl's Crazy [Silver Blue SB-801]

Lew Kirton joined the Invitations in 1973 when they moved to Silver Blue and sang lead on this highly regarded modern/crossover track.

The Invitations [1974] - Look On The Good Side [Silver Blue SB-808]

After a couple more releases this piece of Philly magic written, produced and arranged by Philly legend Bobby Martin was released.