Walter Jackson was signed to Columbia in 1962. After a few
releases on the main label he was switched to the OKeh subsidiary in 1964.
His best three sides on the label were his Northern Soul favourite "Where Have All The Flowers Gone", the haunting "It's An Uphill Climb To The Bottom" and his rendition of the Jimmy Radcliffe's "My Ship Is Comin' In" (also done by The Walker Brothers before Jackson recorded
it).
He released a couple of singles on Epic before moving to Cotillion for
another two, then a couple of one-off releases on USA and Wand. Two more
singles were released on Brunswick in 1973, the second of which is the
featured tune, a modern soul track "Let Me Come Back" on the flip side of "It Doesn't Take Much". Original copies are now
selling for around £100 but it is being reissued next month by Outta Sight
with Wales Wallace "Somebody I Know" on the flip.
In 1976 he joined Chi-Sound, releasing around half a dozen singles until
1979 before re-joining Columbia in 1981 for another two singles. Finally,
he released two singles on Bluebird in 1982 and 1983 before his passing in
1983.
In those two decades, although doing a lot of covers, he left us with a
fine legacy of music, around 40 singles and 8 albums. I've put together a
playlist below of what I consider to be his best recordings.
Click icons below for further information or to connect with the
artist.
Frank Dell (Franklin Delano Murphy) aka Big Frank Murphy had a huge Northern Soul record (He Broke Your Game Wide Open) played back in the day and later in the 80s another was discovered by Big Frank & The Essences - I Won't Let Her See Me Cry. He formed Valise records with Phil Medley and continued recording through 80s and 90s releasing 4 albums, his first one 'Yesterday's People' on the notorious 'tax scam' Guinness label. Up until his death in July 2015 aged 75, he was still active in New York and performed in UK at 6Ts Cleethorpes soul weekender in 2008.
@ Cleethorpes 2008
After graduating from university in South Carolina in 1963 he moved to New York and worked as a youth counsellor. In the late 70s he became a narcotics parole officer until he retired in 1996. So it would appear that his work in the music industry was not full-time.
Big Frank & The Essences [1965] - I Won't Let Her See Me Cry [Blue Rock B-4012]
A big Top Of The World, Stafford spin for the 60's mafia (i.e. Keb Darge & Guy Hennigan). It was also released on Philips 40283. Frank's older brother, Warren, was also in the group.
Pledging My Love - cover of the Johnny Ace track which is an odd choice for a 1985 album!
I Stand Accused - cover of the Jerry Butler 1964 song wco-written with brother Billy Butler.
Frank Dell [1989] - Daily Loving [Valise FD 432]
Give It Up
80s modern soul / boogie
Also released as a 12" (Valise FD 433) with Sweet Love Songs on flip.
Sweet Love Songs
Also released as a 12" (Valise FD 433) with Give It Up on flip.
Cocaine
Daily Loving
Title track and killer cut from album.
Reminds me of Gregg Jackson's One For The Road!
Sugar Creek
Poor Relations - not available
Frank Dell [1989] - Welcome Home [Valise FD-431] LP Version
Originally recorded by the late great Waler Jackson in 1965 on Okeh. Written by Chip Taylor aka James Wesley Voight brother of actor Jon Voight and uncle to Angel Jolle.
Walter Jackson [1965] - Welcome Home [Okeh 4-7219]
The original version form 1965 by Walter Jackson who also re-recorded it for his 1976 album Feeling Good.
Walter Jackson [1976] - Welcome Home [Chi-Sound CH-LA656G]
Re-recorded 1976 version
Frank Dell [1989] - I'll Be Ready [Valise FD-431]
80s boogie/jazz/funk
Frank Dell [198?] - Too Late To Turn Back Now [Valise Unreleased]
I don't think this was ever released as can't find any reference to it and if you look carefully at label scan it's been mocked up as text is darker in places. I believe that the sound file was originaly posted on FrankDell.com by Frank himself which no longer exists.
Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose [1972] - Too Late To Turn Back Now [United Artists 50910]
The orginal version.
Frank Dell [198?] - What More Can I Do [Valise MF 10069]
Don't know when this was released but as it's a 12" I'd guess mid 80s? Neither side was on either of his 80s albums from 1985 or 1989 so I woul perhaps place it in between say 86/87?
Frank Dell [1999] - Everything You Got [Gothel GCRS9902]
He released a cassette album in 1999 with several previousy released tracks (Give It Up, He Broke Your Game Wide Open, Daily Lovin'), but as I've not been able to find the album I'm not sure whether the previous tracks are re-recordings or the originals.
Frank Dell [199?] - The Best Of Frank Dell Feat I Stand Acused [Valise FD 432]
A compilation CD with the same cat. no. as Daily Loving featuring tracks all previously released.
Lemons was given 3 life sentences along with his mother and 2 brothers for the first degree murder of 3 police officers in a Detroit motel in July 1987. Full story here and here. Apparently he died in prison in 1996, he would have been about 55 (he was 46 at the time of the murders). According to the linked story the murder trial was delayed several times owing to Lemons needing (kidney) dialysis so I would guess that was the cause of his death. His mother (Alberta Easter) also died in prison living until 2011 aged 93 (she was 69 at the time of the murders).
The record is a Marmite type of tune ... some love it others hate it. I am the latter! The song was written by the 'terrible three' i.e. Roy, George & Bill (William) Lemons who were all convicted for murder. For me it has no redeaming features, the vocals are incredibly poor. This is a rare record and for me that is why 'some' like it as for me it has virtually zero musical merit and was released by some 'bad mother f*ckers'!
505 George Lemons [1967] - Fascinating Girl [Gold Soul 1024]
He also did a version of Walter Jackson's Uphill Climb To The Bottom which was unreleased until it surfaced on a Goldmine Soul Supply CD The Lost Soul Of Detroit Vol. 1 in 1993. It is so bad it is almost good! The off key notes seem to add to the charm!!! George Lemons [196?] - Uphill Climb To The Bottom [Unreleased]
Walter Jackson [1966] - It's An Uphill Climb To The Bottom [Okeh ]
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