Hi all I don't know if this has been raised before there seems to be on going love/hate ideas surounding Ian's work , I'm talking about his product's not his northern dicoveries/play's but do you have a favorite Ian Levine production ? I have one or two to be honest .Regards Simon.

this is like the second most controversial topic here after originals vs. boots. it would be cool if the two could be combined somehow.

Here we go... off to get a coffee and some biscuits, brb.

you have a favorite Ian Levine production ?

I like Wrong Side of Town.

Come on you lot it's confession time !! but it is a serious question and does have some intresting angles .

My last 2 podcasts have featured

Barbara pennington - 24 hours a day

Barbara Pennington - Running in another direction

both are classic of the tailor made variety

the one that everyone always quotes as being 'the best' is James Wells "Baby I'm still the same man" but I can't stand that one. Weak Spot, heard it the other day for the first time in years, sounded great, Your Magic Put A Spell On Me, also sounding great.

I prefer all of these early ones in the main but there were a couple from a few years back that were equally as good. Unfortunately my memory is not what it was.

I spoke to Ian the other day actually, he sounded in good spirits.

My last 2 podcasts have featured

Barbara pennington - 24 hours a day

Barbara Pennington - Running in another direction

both are classic of the tailor made variety

the one that everyone always quotes as being 'the best' is James Wells "Baby I'm still the same man" but I can't stand that one. Weak Spot, heard it the other day for the first time in years, sounded great, Your Magic Put A Spell On Me, also sounding great.

I prefer all of these early ones in the main but there were a couple from a few years back that were equally as good. Unfortunately my memory is not what it was.

I spoke to Ian the other day actually, he sounded in good spirits.

Pete thank you very much for your canda sir yet again you've shon best regards Simon.

Always liked C P Spencer - This Man Needs You

Always liked C P Spencer - This Man Needs You

I don't know really anything about his productions but I just listened to this and it was pretty good, I was surprised.

Man Up In The Sky = Johnny Bristol and Chuck Jackson = All Over The World are two i like..

Chuck Jackson "All Over The World" still sounds by far the best thing hr did for me.

The recut of G.C. Camerons You're What's Missing In My Life is better than the Motown original to me.

Strange!!!!! before I started reading this thread I had just played David Ruffin "Hurt the one you love" first time out for a long long time and sounding fantastic.

Exciters, Reaching for the Best still sounds great!!!

lj johnson - you keep my temperature rising .....

huge oldie for russ just before wigan closed...

standing on solid ground - still a floor packer!

S'easy, Barbara Pennington - On A Crowded Street.

I was (and still am), a massive Hi-nrg fan and enjoyed quite a few of his productions during the early - mid 80's, but lost all faith when his Nightmare label was born. I do clearly recall Kev Roberts also jumping on the Hi-nrg bandwagon and producing old NS tracks with a beefed-up feel, on the Electricity label I think.

LJ Johnson - "You're magic put a spell on me"...tore up the Highland room.The strings could just about keep up with US.!!!

I like Wrong Side of Town.

So do I.

Man Up In The Sky = Johnny Bristol and Chuck Jackson = All Over The World are two i like..

And me.

lj johnson - you keep my temperature rising .....

I'd forgotten about that one mate.

My last 2 podcasts have featured

Barbara pennington - 24 hours a day

Barbara Pennington - Running in another direction

both are classic of the tailor made variety

the one that everyone always quotes as being 'the best' is James Wells "Baby I'm still the same man" but I can't stand that one. Weak Spot, heard it the other day for the first time in years, sounded great, Your Magic Put A Spell On Me, also sounding great.

I prefer all of these early ones in the main but there were a couple from a few years back that were equally as good. Unfortunately my memory is not what it was.

I spoke to Ian the other day actually, he sounded in good spirits.

pete, the funny thing or, should i say, ironic, is that the 70's recordings were genuine recordings using GENUINE instruments....granted, the synth may have been creeping in there a bit but drum machines really are so bland and predictable. ians stuff was all cut true proper to... recording traditions and none of this remixing mullarky...in laymans terms, despited them being "produced" for the scene, they are starting to sound "old"...and afterall, they are from decade thats now long since passed...are they maturing like fine wine?......maybe thats an over-the-top phrase and yes, its still dosnt capture the excitement and imagination of the 60's but a replicant of that golden age, it aspires to be and 35 years on it has its place in our cultural history.

oh,...and there's no escaping the fact that for all the contraversy surrounding him, ian levine was/is & always will be, a pivotal and integral part of why we got into northern soul...the man maketh the venue...blackpool mecca became what it was because of ian....and of course, to no lesser extent colin curtis...but it was ian who, so to speak, brought home the bacon ( from the states ) and made the highland room the focus of our fledgling career's attention.

i personally, will never forget the nights at the civic and wulfrun halls in wolverhampton and the masses dancing to evelyn thomas, lj johnson and the likes and they were greeted with the same enthusiasm long before we subjected ourselves to critique...and i loved em'.......especially when colin was dishing out the "tomorrow" demo's

im glad i witnessed the second coming, indeed the inaugural gig at manchester ritz when i, like many others, didnt recognize who he was....complete makeover?,....soul sam was probably the first to suss out ian's subtrefuge with " the wrong side of town"....i am, afterall, the beholder of the infamous "the fifth vandal must go!" photogragh that was perched in the dj booth....what happened next with both ginger and butch is now consigned to the annals of history!!.

you simply cannot take it away from him, he is the master of re-invention and he was attempting to give the scene another lease of life off the back of so many 35/40 somethings returning to the scene after their family sabaticles...he also brought some great semi-known 60's offerings to table and made them mega.....like him or love him, we ALL owe him a debt of gratitude and if your "weakspot" is a "magic spell" then its because ian's "still the same man".

Edited October 22, 201113 yr by AGENTSMITH

one of his later ones think it is by the fifth ammendment one step nearer is really good

mark

Like this.

I thought G C Camerons No Need To Explain/Out Of My Mind was one of the best double sider's of the early 90's, irrespective of who was involved.

Edited October 22, 201113 yr by John Reed

I've always loved Chuck Jacksons 'All Over The World', and one or two others from that era, but it seems the later he got, the worse the production was.

doris jones - he's so irreplaceable

exciters - love you baby

carol woods - heading down fools road

ronnie mcneir - lucky number

frances nero - footsteps

supremes-originals - back by popular demand

tyrone ashley - running in and out of my life

plus all the others mentioned...quite a comprehensive body of work over 3+ decades

"Home Is Where The Hatred Is" - Brenda Holloway is superb on any level......

Shame I can't find a clip....

Ian D

who says there's not appreciation for the man?...not a bad word to say with any of the posts thus far

C P Spencer - This Man Needs You :thumbsup:

P

Edited October 22, 201113 yr by paup-ine

Got to give the man credit a lot of the artists he recorded for Motorcity would have never got near a studio again if it was not for Ian.

Originals & Supremes - Back By Popular Demand :thumbsup:

P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSj9LKA5NLg

...From Ian's early catalogue, the Exciters' "Suffering" is a hugely underrated record...

.and of a more recent vintage, Noel McKoy's 'Determined Man' is absolutely terrific...

...dare I also mention how good Take That's 'Could It Be Magic' is?

...From Ian's early catalogue, the Exciters' "Suffering" is a hugely underrated record...

.and of a more recent vintage, Noel McKoy's 'Determined Man' is absolutely terrific...

...dare I also mention how good Take That's 'Could It Be Magic' is?

And amazingly Tony "Suffering" isn't on Youtube either !!!

This will have to...suffice...

(courtesy Kiddysoulgirl !!).

Edited October 22, 201113 yr by KevH

Originals & Supremes - Back By Popular Demand :thumbsup:

P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSj9LKA5NLg

wow yeah!!.......HANDS UP WHO WAS AT RICHARD'S 50TH WHEN THEY DID THIS LIVE AT THE RITZ.....WOW, WOW, WOW!!! :thumbup: NOT BAD FOR A LEVINE TUNE...AND A1000+ SOULIES SINGING IT BACK TO A GOBSMACKED FREDDIE GORMAN!!

...From Ian's early catalogue, the Exciters' "Suffering" is a hugely underrated record...

.and of a more recent vintage, Noel McKoy's 'Determined Man' is absolutely terrific...

...dare I also mention how good Take That's 'Could It Be Magic' is?

yes you can Tony, and I also like Barbara Green's More Where That Came From

P

...From Ian's early catalogue, the Exciters' "Suffering" is a hugely underrated record...

.and of a more recent vintage, Noel McKoy's 'Determined Man' is absolutely terrific...

...dare I also mention how good Take That's 'Could It Be Magic' is?

ER,PARDON ME YER ON'R.....WITH DEFERENCE WASNT THIS A DONNA SUMMER TUNE? BUT ACCEPTING THE FACT THAT IAN GOT HIS HANDS ON ROBBIE & CO FIRST?...and made it a #1

.....WITH DEFERENCE WASNT THIS A DONNA SUMMER TUNE?

Not really. It's based on Chopin's Prelude in C Minor and was adapted by by Barry Manilow, who had a hit with it first.

TT's version is better than either Bazza's or Donna's though...

Edited October 22, 201113 yr by TONY ROUNCE

Hi all I don't know if this has been raised before there seems to be on going love/hate ideas surounding Ian's work , I'm talking about his product's not his northern dicoveries/play's but do you have a favorite Ian Levine production ? I have one or two to be honest .Regards Simon.

The Four Vandals "Wrong Side Of Town" is up with the best northern soul records

2 STAND OUTS FOR ME ....BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND AND LUCKY NUMBER....TO BE HONEST, THERES AN AWFUL LOT OF GOOD STUFF AMONGST THE STUFF HE PRODUCED, YOU HAVE TO GIVE THE MAN CREDIT FOR WHAT IS UNDOUBTABLY A TALENT.

Can't find the 45 edit of this (less disco) but I think this version stands up

Not really. It's based on Chopin's Prelude in C Minor and was adapted by by Barry Manilow, who had a hit with it first.

TT's version is better than either Bazza's or Donna's though...

correct as always guvn'r mmm....how did i miss that one?....poor old bazza, he's beginning to look a bit like joycelin wilderstein dont you think?...anyway, more of the plastic, less of the surgery eh?

Always loved James Well's Baby i'm still the same man at the time

But favour nowadays

Frances Nero Footsteps

Ronnie Dyson Lucky Number

Sidney Barnes Standing on Solid Ground?

A compilation release coming up?

Sometimes it's just impossible to argue with a totally ROCKIN' production......

.......totally waaaay over-the-top vocals but I just can't help loving it....

James Wells "Baby I'm Still The Same Man"

I'm one his biggest critics but I have a lot of respect for his belief and focus in his visions. He really doesn't muck about when he's serious about something and I think he was on a roll when he recorded James Wells. What a FANTASTIC vocalist. Ian found him. 'Nuff said.

Ian D

Can't find the 45 edit of this (less disco) but I think this version stands up

If you think that's good, then wait til you hear the James Well's version.

Can't find a clip dammit.........

But it's great....

Ian D

Well just came back from a great night at Hinckey and i have to say I'm very pleased with the respose and to repeat what has been said earlier not a bad word about him so it's a big thumbs up for Ian ( no pun intended chaps ! ) thank you all for your respose's and keep em comming in right I'm off for a smoke seee you in the morning best regards Simon.

CHUCK JACKSON--ALL OVER THE WORLD

WHAT A TUNE

Now I know people can do good things and should get credit for it. However, being one of many artist who has material listed on YouTube by Mr. Levine and has sold tapes containing my image and sound over the past fifteen years and has never received a statement or a dime in royalties, you can imagine where he sits on my list!

I have contacted Mr. Levine and he informed me that no money has been made, therefore, no one can be paid. He also said, "no royalties or statements will be forthcoming until fifty percent of the expense has been recouped." Now, how many people will know when fifty percent is recouped? Will we ever know?

Soooo, Mr. Levine is not in good standing with me at this point and if anyone of you are friends of his, help him to upgrade his business practices. It would cost me more to pay a lawyer than in what I probably would receive, but now you all get a better understanding of how hard it is to trust folks in this business. We might love it and can't leave it, but it's those that deceive us that makes it a bumpy ride.

Lorraine Chandler

cp spencer... this man needs you..... quality all the way

wow yeah!!.......HANDS UP WHO WAS AT RICHARD'S 50TH WHEN THEY DID THIS LIVE AT THE RITZ.....WOW, WOW, WOW!!! :thumbup: NOT BAD FOR A LEVINE TUNE...AND A1000+ SOULIES SINGING IT BACK TO A GOBSMACKED FREDDIE GORMAN!!

I was there , great night, got a photo somewhere of my brother and me with Freddie Gorman.

Good Luck by Bettye Lavette, always liked that one.

removed

Edited October 23, 201113 yr by Carl Dixon

Hi everybody -

When I returned to the UK in 1977 from Holland, I ended up at Baileys, in Hull, where I heard 'Weak Spot' and 'Magic put a spell...' for the first time. I bought them because I felt if soul/dance music had to change, that would be the direction I would rather go etc, along with Philly style productions and the birth of the 12". It was probably the very first time I became aware of Ian's musical talents and was not aware of his DJ days in Blackpool.

Dear Lorraine

Are you a member of SoundExhange in the States? If not, you should be as a performer/featured artist (not song writer BMI/ASCAP) and maybe as copyright holder to recordings you own/part own. SoundExchange pay royalties to performers/featured artists and labels for air play of digital media scenarios like satellite radio and TV, digital Internet radio etc. For example you have artist royalties for the following awaiting collection:

I can't hold on 1966 Sony/Columbia

Love you baby Ultimate Northern Music Club

You only live twice Vinyl Kent

I can't change Lorraine Chandler Universal (x 2)

What can I do OKEH DJ1

I can't change OKEH DJ8

Mend the torn Rare collectable

Plus a misspelt entry: Loraine Cant change LC

On songs that have errors, you have a chance to update and correct.

Ironically, even if these plays were off illegal copies...there is an airplay royalty! Here is the link to SoundExchange and if not a member, join as a performer etc. They pay royalties via Pay Pal I believe to the US, and by cheque to other territories. You will not get UK airplay royalties from the UK equivalent (PPL) on American recorded works released in the UK. If you own a recording, let me know and I will take a peep. If you do own masters you will be a performer/rights holder member.

Ian - if you by chance ever read this,there are 80 Evelyn Thomas airplay royalties too including things like Weak spot/Running Wild/Chalk it up...., as a copyright owner of the works (if you own them), there is a royalty. In theory the PPL are affiliated with SoundExchange and should collect as long as your international mandate agreement with them is up to date. I am no expert, and even I have a couple of Soul Recession royalties can you believe. I was advised by the PPL that they should collect, in time. But as I have access to the database now,.....I will be checking.

What I must say as somebody who has written, created, produced a finished recorded 'work', aggregated to digital sites, and pressed up vinyl, there is little scope for sales royalties to be honest! But I feel the 'pocket money' for artists is the residuals from the likes of SoundExchange and UK performers recording songs in the UK and most importantly, where the record label have duly noted their involvement with the recording.

Finally....Paul Mooney, does all that make sense to you? If you understand it, my English works ha ha.

Thanks Carl,

It's always worth artists claiming those additional fees and royalties. Let's hope these schemes are available in all countries one day.

Lorraine, go get some dollars ...even claim on the fake Lorraine Chandler record on Black Magic if you can!

Best wishes,

Paul