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Bob And Fred

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I've never been quite sure about this record. Some days I think it's gorgeous beyond words, other days it strikes me as sugary pop. I guess it's something to do with the two guys singing every line in unison.

Any thoughts anyone?

I've put a link below, I'm sure most people know it well, but just in case.....

Bob & Fred

Edited by Dayo

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Love it everyday of the week. Always have. :thumbsup:

Shane

Love the harmonies and the strings and just my perfect dancing speed :thumbsup:

gorgeous beyond words :thumbsup:

Love it to bits - it's definitely a "goose-bump" record for me! So lucky just to have it on a CD comp to play at home, but I always look forward to hearing Martin Thomson's spot for this - always spins it without fail....

Love it to bits - it's definitely a "goose-bump" record for me!  So lucky just to have it on a CD comp to play at home, but I always look forward to hearing Martin Thomson's spot for this - always spins it without fail....

link

Gene I hope you're not accusing me of being lazy and predictable.... I can't help it if my imaginary friend requests it everytime I'm out behind decks :thumbsup:

Martin

I've never been quite sure about this record. Some days I think it's gorgeous beyond words, other days it strikes me as sugary pop. I guess it's something to do with the two guys singing every line in unison.

Any thoughts anyone?

Picked up 2 copies of this around 1991 from a well known Florida dealer, was going to leave them on the shelf but as it was on a friends want list I picked them up, I didn't know it at the time.

Thoughts ?

Along with "Lucky Charms" this dirge is one of the worst records ever played, just because it is rare and from Detroit doesn't make it any good.... :thumbsup:

Edited by Awake 502

Picked up 2 copies of this around 1991 from a well known Florida dealer, was going to leave them on the shelf but as it was on a friends want list I picked them up, I didn't know it at the time.

Thoughts ?

Along with "Lucky Charms" this dirge is one of the worst records ever played, just because it is rare and from Detroit doesn't make it any good.... :D

link

ha ha I knew the minute that Gene dragged me onto the thread that the imminent and invevitable 'this is the worst record ever' posts would surface.... you're in trouble Gene....

good job we don't all like the same thing, though personally, even if it was a 5 quid tune, I'd still think it was absolutely brilliant :thumbsup:

  • Author

I'm only judging it on musical merit - actually have no idea of the value. Here's another funny thing - every time I hear it I begin wondering what it would sound like re-made with a reggae beat.

Who are Bob and fred anyway? Any info anyone?

Who are Bob and fred anyway? Any info anyone?

link

ha ha I knew the minute that Gene dragged me onto the thread that the imminent and invevitable 'this is the worst record ever' posts would surface.... you're in trouble Gene....

link

Oops - sorry Martin................that's one extra pint I owe you later tonite!!

TWEE GIRLY CRAP :thumbsup::shhh::D

Gene I hope you're not accusing me of being lazy and predictable.... I can't help it if my imaginary friend requests it everytime I'm out behind decks  :D

Martin

link

Hey! Since when have I been an "imaginary" friend, ya cheeky get!! :thumbsup:

I'll take back that promise of the extra pint now........... :D:shhh:

TWEE GIRLY CRAP :thumbsup:   :D   :D

link

OK, maybe my gender has been questioned over the years, but I still love it!!!!! :shhh:

ha ha I knew the minute that Gene dragged me onto the thread that the imminent and invevitable 'this is the worst record ever' posts would surface.... you're in trouble Gene....

good job we don't all like the same thing, though personally, even if it was a 5 quid tune, I'd still think it was absolutely brilliant :thumbsup:

link

I am afraid it does nothing for me, absolutely dreadful vocals with a bland backing more suitable to some childrens program, appreciate in the minority here but have roundly hated this record for nearly 20 years, and I dont normally do hate :thumbsup:

Yours with grinding teeth just thinking of that awful intro.

Jock

Them first few bars cant help but drag you onto the floor with this record... guess i should pack up and leave this old town.... Just brilliant IMHO of course, great atmospheric mid tempo :thumbsup:

I love it and that's all that matters to me :thumbsup:

love the music but the vocals are poor IMO

always sounds college boy white to me!

probably straight out of compton

love the music but the vocals are poor IMO

always sounds college boy white to me!

probably straight out of compton

link

Think we did come to the conclusion, on here a while ago that they were white Dan in a blue eyed soul thread i think :thumbsup:

Think we did come to the conclusion, on here a while ago that they were white Dan in a blue eyed soul thread i think :thumbsup:

link

certainly sound white to me (not that that's necessarily a problem of course)

btw baz haven't sent that record yet, will try to do it tonight (haven't banked the cheque either in my defence!)

I love it and that's all that matters to me  :thumbsup:

link

exactly Mandy. :D

Shane

exactly Mandy.  :thumbsup:

Shane

link

can't argue with that (makes a change for me)

can't argue with that (makes a change for me)

link

:thumbsup:

it wouldnt be right if we all agreed on something anyway. :D

Shane

certainly sound white to me (not that that's necessarily a problem of course)

btw baz haven't sent that record yet, will try to do it tonight (haven't banked the cheque either in my defence!)

link

No probs dan our posties are on strike round here any way, so proberly a good thing :angry:

Edited by Baz

Martin it is only a 5 quid toon, everybody hates it except Gene & it seems he's a

big girlie.

Tell you what I'll give you a tenner for it ?  :thumbsup:

link

Bet if it was a £5 choon, you'd get everyone saying "cor, bloody brilliant, and only a £5"....."best record on the scene" etc etc........

BUT TO ME, IT'S STILL VINYL VIAGRA! (if only I had one!)

Edited by Gene-R

It is pleasant enough I guess but not really my kinda sound. They are white as far as I know. I don't recall their last names at the moment (will look it up when I can) but they are two white guys who also wrote some stuff and was involved in the non-singing end of things on some Detroit stuff. At least that has been the consensus view the many times this has been discussed before, so don't take me too seriously. :thumbsup:

Edited by Guest

  • Author

Didn't realise this was a chestnut - sorry everyone!

Colin

it wouldnt be right if we all agreed on something anyway.  :thumbsup:

link

I disagree... :shhh:

I always play this in the car, like it, but i've never danced to it yet. It doesn't seem dancable to me... :D

M.

Edited by mattmale

Love it to bits. :thumbsup:

link

Oy - that's my line! :D

Here's another funny thing - every time I hear it I begin wondering what it would sound like re-made with a reggae beat.

link

SHIT!!!

I disagree...  :shhh:

I always play this in the car, like it, but i've never danced to it yet. It doesn't seem dancable to me... :D

M.

link

I could get totally lost dancing to that record. Maybe not 15/20 years ago when I could only dance to out and out stompers but now, its a lovely floater. Just right when the legs are siezing up and you need 'that record' to get you back on the floor!

:thumbsup:

It's an okay record and I have danced to it in the past, but it always makes me think of the Everly Brothers. But it would be a boring world if we all liked the same thing.

  • Author

It's an okay record and I have danced to it in the past, but it always makes me think of the Everly Brothers. But it would be a boring world if we all liked the same thing.

link

I know what you mean, but I can't help but think The Everlys were far superior vocalists!

One of those records that gets soul music a bad name. Can't think of one redeeming feature.

One of those records that gets soul music a bad name. Can't  think of one redeeming feature.

link

Well, wouldn't say it's the absolute BEST soul record in the world. But in my opinion its a 'nice' one. But, if we all like the same records, it would be a very boring scene indeed......

:thumbsup:

Terrible record, hope I never hear it again, no Soul in the vocals and no thump in the backing track.

quite like the backing track but the vocals are giving me a headache ....

Davie

could never get into this, backing track starts fine then the screeching starts

and fouls the whole thing up IMHO

Geeooooordie

Well, wouldn't say it's the absolute BEST soul record in the world.  But in my opinion its a 'nice' one.  But, if we all like the same records, it would be a very boring scene indeed......

:yes:

link

This is not a soul record at all. Claiming it as one tarnishes the others that are. But if it isn't a soul record what is it? It's a pop record of little distinction with sub- Everly vocals and smaltzy strings.

Okay, it ould be useful fodder for someone learning to whistle, I suppose.

This is not a soul record at all. Claiming it as one tarnishes the others that are. But if it isn't a soul record what is it? It's a pop record of little distinction with sub- Everly vocals and smaltzy strings.

Okay, it ould be useful fodder for someone learning to whistle, I suppose.

link

First off, let me say I'm not a very big fan of this 45. Neither was the label boss of Big Mack! Apparently, he recorded a earlier single which everyone (McCoy, Bob and Fred) were so confident in that they put out this one to get Bob and Fred's name 'out there'. Why the 'real' song never came out I forget. McCoy still has this unreleased one on 2" masters, though I've never heard it. He described it to me as a 'uptempo' dancer, so I'm sure you guys would be interested!

Sadly, everyone, English or American, who has ever contacted him has done so to acquire original copies of the mega valuable Northern and Funk 45s on his label... (with the exception of Soul Fire Records, NYC, which did do a semi legitimate reissue of "Soul President").. Bob and Fred, Ed Henry, Soul President, etc... and no one has delved into these tapes. I have started a re-issue label, but I'm not doing Northern stuff. If anyone who is reading this is interested, I could give you some contact info.. be forewarned, he does know how much his 45s are worth in 'England'! any takers??

This is not a soul record at all. Claiming it as one tarnishes the others that are. But if it isn't a soul record what is it? It's a pop record of little distinction with sub- Everly vocals and smaltzy strings.

Okay, it ould be useful fodder for someone learning to whistle, I suppose.

link

Unfortuneatly Pop records have been play on the scene for years

Unfortuneatly Pop records have been play on the scene for years

link

This thread has suprised me. I love this record. And it's one (of the many) that can reduce me tears.

It laments the fact that he's given away the greatest thing he ever owned. And the consequences he now has to deal with. If I was on a desert island and had broken every other one of my alloted discs, if this was all I had left I'd be happier in knowing that ship was never coming.....

How people think these two guys have terrible voices is beyond me. From a musicians point of view they hit every note bang on. In perfect harmony. You might not like the song, but to assert these guys can't sing is like saying Gene Toones needs to stop barking......

Billy. If records like this tarnish the ones that are soulful, can you please do me a tape? I'd love to hear records that make this sound like pop.....

i think the backing track is very nice, matt, and the singing isn't awful...it's just not soulful and very 'white'. i've personally nothing against white soul singers (as christian h will testify!) as long as they are soulful. these two aren't, though.

if we're going to talk about nice-sounding records with moving lyrics and good singers, where do we start (and more importantly where do we stop)?

scott walker, the beach boys, neil young, even stuff like spiritualized (listen to ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space, if you haven't heard it and you fancy a break from soul, this is AWESOME, as is all of their stuff, in fact all of jason spaceman's stuff)...all excellent IMO and moving but just not soul.

can't speak for anyone else but that's why i vote against this.

it's a very atmospheric track, no denying...........

What about other blue eyed soul tracks e.g..........

Nicky C - Those good times

Tommy Frontera - You're my leading Lady

Paul Anka - When we get there

Spiral Staircase - More Today Than Yesterday

these, for me, are far superior songs. Can anyone think of any others?

Carl :thumbsup:

This is not a soul record at all. Claiming it as one tarnishes the others that are. But if it isn't a soul record what is it? It's a pop record of little distinction with sub- Everly vocals and smaltzy strings.

Okay, it ould be useful fodder for someone learning to whistle, I suppose.

link

i wouldn't say that this is not a soul record, far from it ok the vocals arnt dead soulful but it has got a lot of feeling (if you get me :ohmy: ) to the record and what is soul.......its a feeling :thumbsup:

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