Articles: The Marvin Smith Story and Interview by Dave Box

[Mike]

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[Guest Ivor Jones]

What a great article. Love those wicked photos especially the one in the Barbers !  Good luck guys with the gig,looks a cracker. Anyone know if the unissued tracks are coming out at all ?

 best, Ivor

[Scotters]

Brilliant read that thanks...one to print and keep for sure. Really looking forward to the night. Still remembering how good Debbie Taylor was last year, and PUSH are worth hearing in their own right I think! Signed CD of the unissued tracks on the night will be the cream on top

Edited October 13, 2014 by 71 Steve

[kevinsoulman]

saw him at fleetwood a few years ago and he was brill then

kev

[Boxy]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the comments.

Here's one release that slipped under the discography radar.

"Let The Good Times Roll" (L. Lee)/"Ain't That A Shame" (C. Mayfield)

UK Contempo CS 2043 1974. Produced by Major Lance.

I will ask Marvin about this release and post up his comments.

 

We still have tickets to sell, but please don't leave it to the last minute.

 

Boxy

[Boxy]

Marvin will be signing, exclusively to this event, a cd containing his previously unreleased tracks:

"I Never Thought I'd Be Losing You" - "Peace" - "Hearts Made Of Stone" - "Heartache Coming On"

Howard will be selling the latest edition of SOUL UP NORTH featuring The Marvin Smith Story, which Marvin will be only too pleased to sign for you.

 

Only 100 copies of the CD will be available on the night, so when they're gone that's it.  Another good reason to be there.

[Guest]

Has "Time Stopped" ever been released on CD?

A CD of his tracks , solo, and lead on Artistics , would be very welcome.

[Boxy]

I spoke to Marvin tonight, and this is what he had to say about the UK Contempo release:

 

The A side “Let The Good Times Roll”:

 

Major Lance and Otis Leavill produced the recordings and they paid for the session in Chicago.  They always knew I loved Sam Cooke’s style and gave me the chance to record one of his songs.  I wasn’t happy with the production, the tempo was too fast, and I don’t think I got it just as I wanted it, but they said it was OK.

 

 

The B side “Ain’t That A Shame”:

 

This was a cover of one of Major’s songs recorded on Okeh, written by Curtis Mayfield and originally produced by Carl Davis.  This track was recorded much later and produced again by Major and Otis.  They gave me a copy of the 45 from the Contempo Company, but I never realised that it was commercially released in the UK.

 

Marvin never got anything financially from the record.  I would hope that both writers, Curtis Mayfield and L. Lee, would have received something through the MCPS system.  I’m sure Major and Otis would have received a cut from Contempo for the production.  The outcome sounds a very familiar, unfair story, where the vocalist gets nothing out of the recording.

[Guest]

I wonder if Marvin is aware that some of his recordings had releases outside the US...over here we had "Have More Time" and "Hope We Have" both appear on Japanese Brunswick 7" singles...both very rare.

[Chalky]

Magic article and interview.  I for one cannot wait to see Marvin.  He was pretty good at Fleetwood some about ten years ago but if this night promises to be special.  The band are absolutely fantastic, worth the entrance fee alone.  Last year, Debbie Taylor, was one of the most memorable acts I've ever seen.  The year before Darrow Fletcher was pretty special too.  Tjis one has all the ingredients to be just as good. Tickets paid for, taxi booked, roll on.

[Shelly74]

FANTASTIC!!!....here he is live on the swingin' time show 1966

[Alison H]

That is a superb read Dave! & what a great interview (I could almost feel being in Chi-town with you ha ha, I wish!)

Can't wait to see him perform on the 15th!!

Like others have mentioned, the Darrow gig was excellent, Debbie Taylor was sensational (& one of the best live artists I've ever seen!) so Marvin's gig is bubbling up to be another great success for The Wilton Soulful Sessions.

See you all in November, I'm soooo excited!!!

Ali xx

Edited October 25, 2014 by Alison H

[Chalky]

I will have tickets for this night at Lifeline tonight and the 100 Club next week, come and see me if you want one.  Don't leave it late, it was sold out the last two years and if Debbie Taylor last year is anything to go by this will be a fantastic night.

[Guest]

FANTASTIC!!!....here he is live on the swingin' time show 1966

you've made my day....week...year even...wow what a find

love this record but can't understand why it hasn't ever been released on a UK CD

Or has it ?

[Chalky]

FANTASTIC!!!....here he is live on the swingin' time show 1966

 

Just got round to watching this, absolutely fantastic.  They can all clap in time too..

[Boxy]

Marvin Smith Concert Cancelled
 

 

Early this morning we received an email from Marvin Smith, cancelling his performance on the 15th November at the Wilton’s Soulful Sessions, on medical grounds.
 

Marvin has just been diagnosed with TMJ, a condition which affects the jaw and muscles of the face.
 

Val and myself are very sorry that this has happened, but the situation is obviously out of our control. We have put so much work and money into this event over the past year, and we are totally devastated with this news. We are not big time promoters, so the financial cost will be painful.
 

We will continue with the event on 15th November at the Wilton without Marvin, and will add to the DJ line up.
 

People who have purchased tickets and don’t want to attend, will be offered a full £20 refund.
 

However, we hope many of you will still attend the event, at a reduced admission charge, and allow us to give you your remaining refund on the night; this would help us logistically and financially to recover from this situation.
 

People who bought their tickets by Paypal and will not be attending on the night will be refunded in due course. We have your email and postal addresses so we will be in touch.
 

We know many of you have booked hotel accommodation and we are sorry for this inconvenience.
 

This event was dedicated to memory of the late Rick from Anglo (Richard Foster) and will still continue with that theme.
 

This is a major disappointment to everyone, including Marvin; he was so looking forward to performing at his concert, and now has a medical condition that could end his singing career.
 

We will still be selling Marvin’s Unissued Masters CD but sadly he won’t be there to sign them for you.
 

This is a major setback for us, but if you still attend the event the financial burden won’t be as great, and will allow us to continue next year with our plans to bring another artist over for her debut UK concert.
 

We are sincerely sorry.
 

David & Val Box

[Scotters]

That's a real shame and hope Marvin's not suffering too badly, no doubt hugely disappointed himself. A few of us still travelling up for the night and will still look forward to it thanks.

[Alison H]

Oh blimey, what a great shame. Here's hoping Marvin can recover from TMJ & sing once again.

 

Will still be there on the 15th, & I don't need a refund of any sort, please put it towards the next act

 

Chin up 

 

Ali x