Another 'unsung' artist celebrating his birthday today is Ronnie McNeir (71) 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 16 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. Ralph Tee's Expansion label plundered the Motown vaults and reissued the album along with many unreleased gems on CD in 2010 which is well worth picking up. He released just one single for Motown "Selling My Heart To The Junkman" / "Love Proposition", although there was a promo for "Have You Ever Seen Them Shake (Shake It Baby)" which doesn't appear to have been issued.
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 going 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)
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