Ian Dewhirst Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 I'm presuming the Impressions but does anyone know for sure? I think they're both from '68 but I dunno which is the original. Hadn't ever even heard the Impressions until I started trawling Curtom for some Backbeats goodies......... Ian D Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
boba Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 (edited) I'm pretty sure the Five Stairsteps was released first. First of all, it's the only one released on single and it was a hit, Impressions was an LP-cut only. Second of all, this says the Impressions LP was released december of 68: https://www.bsnpubs.c...dah/curtom.html The five stairsteps single was released late in '68 but I'm pretty sure before december. Obviously the five stairsteps LP that had the track came out after the impressions LP though. Edited October 28, 2011 by boba Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
45cellar Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Record of the Week - (Top Left of Article) BILLBOARD >>> SOUL SAUCE - BEST NEW RECORD OF THE WEEK - 9th NOVEMBER 1968 <<< Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Ian Dewhirst Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 Record of the Week - (Top Left of Article) BILLBOARD >>> SOUL SAUCE - BEST NEW RECORD OF THE WEEK - 9th NOVEMBER 1968 <<< Whoever proof-read that ad needs shooting! They missed off Cubie for God's sake! Come to think of it, who the hell was Cubie anyway? What's her story I wonder? I always felt a bit sorry for Cuby. It always felt like she was a bit of an add-on. The Five Stairsteps...and.....er...Cubie........ Anyone know what happened to her? Ian D Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
boba Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 cubie isn't a she, it's a he, he was the very young brother they added later, almost as a novelty thing. He's currently a dancer in the alvin ailey troupe. The girl in the group was Alohe Burke Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Autumnstoned Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 (edited) Got this off Wikpedia - Dunno about its accuracy The group's second album, Family Portrait (complete with a montage of Burke family photos), was recorded and produced in Chicago by Clarence Jr. With the addition of their three-year-old brother, the group became The Five Stairsteps & Cubie. The impressions did a version of We Must Be In Love which is another brill 5 Stairsteps tune. I also really like Don't Waste Your Time by them. Oh - Beat Me to it Boba Edited October 29, 2011 by autumnstoned Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
John Benson Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 The lead singer of this song was Kenny Burke, he would have been 15 at the time Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
boba Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 The lead singer of this song was Kenny Burke, he would have been 15 at the time Keni (or Kenneth) Burke Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
boba Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Keni (or Kenneth) Burke also, are you sure it's not clarence (who was the main lead of the group)? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
John Benson Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 (edited) I stand corrected about the spelling Bob, you're correct - sorry... But I'm sure it was him who was lead singer on this song... This Youtube page sort of confirms it as well: Edited October 29, 2011 by John Benson Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Ian Dewhirst Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 cubie isn't a she, it's a he, he was the very young brother they added later, almost as a novelty thing. He's currently a dancer in the alvin ailey troupe. The girl in the group was Alohe Burke Cubie isn't a she??? Dammit. What kind of a name for a bloke is Cubie? No wonder it's confusung.......... In that case, I wonder how Alohe felt when Cubie butted in.........? Bloody kids stealing all the limelight and all that..... But if I was Cubie I'd be wondering why the font on my name on the label is reduced to lower case and why did they leave my name off the Billboard ad? Ian D Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
boba Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 But I'm sure it was him who was lead singer on this song... This Youtube page sort of confirms it as well: thanks for confirming this Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Ian Dewhirst Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 OK, that's 3 potential lead singers in the course of this one thread - Cubie, Clarence or Keni? I'm gonna have to listen now 'cos I always thought it was a bird called Cubie...... ........and if it was Keni I'll rib him about his balls not dropping when he sang that! But it's Clarence right? Ian D Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
boba Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 In that case, I wonder how Alohe felt when Cubie butted in.........? Bloody kids stealing all the limelight and all that..... They all were kids, they were all siblings. This is the one track that Cubie sings on: Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Ian Dewhirst Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 Who was in and who was out when they went to "Second Resurrection" on Dark Horse then? I always wondered how come they signed to George Harrison's label as well. From Curtis to George Harrison is an interesting move. Ian D Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
boba Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 I think the stairsteps on dark horse was pretty much the same lineup (maybe without cubie?). The Invisible Man's Band was the same group minus Alohe and Cubie. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
boba Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 I think the stairsteps on dark horse was pretty much the same lineup (maybe without cubie?). The Invisible Man's Band was the same group minus Alohe and Cubie. actually Alohe was also not in the stairsteps on dark horse. so the invisble man's band and the dark horse group are the same group. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Autumnstoned Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 (edited) More Wikpedia info:- Billy Preston introduced The Stairsteps to The Beatles, and the group signed with George Harrison's Dark Horse label . That's me done - off to the 100 Club Edited October 29, 2011 by autumnstoned Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
boba Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Keni told me they were actually big beatles fans when they were kids and listened to a lot of rock music when they were driving around touring. It sort of explains their more rock / pop sound on the later LPs. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Ian Dewhirst Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 The Invisible Man's Band was the same group minus Alohe and Cubie. Maybe they were just invisible.....? Well, it was always a weird fit for Alohe and Cubie was a last minute add-on so if anyone was going to leave........ Ian D Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Matt Male Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 (edited) I love the Stairsteps, one of my favourite groups. So many great tunes played on the northern scene. If they got together and came over it wouldn't be a five minute set. Just some i've heard out: Change of Pace Playgirls Love Stay Close To Me You Can't See/Ain't Gonna Rest We Must Be In Love Don't Waste Your Time The Girl I Love All cheap as chips as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9bjGEv2UlA Edited October 29, 2011 by Matt Male Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Ian Dewhirst Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 Keni told me they were actually big beatles fans when they were kids and listened to a lot of rock music when they were driving around touring. It sort of explains their more rock / pop sound on the later LPs. Yep, that makes total sense. Ian D Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
boba Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 the stairsteps are possibly the greatest chicago soul group of all time, maybe next to the impressions Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Got this off Wikpedia - Dunno about its accuracy The group's second album, Family Portrait (complete with a montage of Burke family photos), was recorded and produced in Chicago by Clarence Jr. With the addition of their three-year-old brother, the group became The Five Stairsteps & Cubie. The impressions did a version of We Must Be In Love which is another brill 5 Stairsteps tune. I also really like Don't Waste Your Time by them. Oh - Beat Me to it Boba Cool album,with gatefold cover. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Ian Dewhirst Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 (edited) We're using The Stairsteps "I'm The One Who Loves You" on a forthcoming Backbeats. We actually included the Impressions version of "Stay Close To Me" on another volume 'cos most people know the Stairsteps (and Cubie) version but not the Impressions which is more straightforward and Curtis sings it beautifully........ Ian D Edited October 29, 2011 by Ian Dewhirst 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
45cellar Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Includes some Information on >>> The Five Stairsteps & Cubie <<< Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest TONY ROUNCE Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Somewhere in the upper reaches of Rounce Towers there's a Portuguese Buddah EP of the Impressions, which contains 'Stay Close To Me'. I used to play the track off that particular item in the West Hampstead era of 6Ts... Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
John Siret Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 (edited) From 'Love's Happening' CD release - Clarence Burke, Jr, 18 years old Aloaha, 19 years old James, 17 years old Dennis, 16 years old Kenneth, 15 years old & Cubie, 3 &1/2 years old the stairsteps are possibly the greatest chicago soul group of all time, maybe next to the impressions I would put the Impressions & The Dells before The Stairsteps + the Natural Fours Curtom records are better in my opinion. Edited October 30, 2011 by John Siret Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Dave Pinch Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 this was their big hit stateside...i just heard it on the radio a couple of times while driving round florida with the missus....i think they all have ago at singing....originally a `b` side to their beatles cover dear prudence.....enjoy dave Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
boba Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 From 'Love's Happening' CD release - Clarence Burke, Jr, 18 years old Aloaha, 19 years old James, 17 years old Dennis, 16 years old Kenneth, 15 years old & Cubie, 3 &1/2 years old I would put the Impressions & The Dells before The Stairsteps + the Natural Fours Curtom records are better in my opinion. I stand by my statement. The natural four (while a great group) aren't even from chicago. And the best stairsteps 45s are their windy c records, not even comparable to the natural four. You also spelled Alohe wrong. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
John Siret Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Just a difference of opinion. I know the Natural Four aren't from Chicago which is why i wrote 'Curtom records' + my spelling mistake comes from what is copied from CD sleeve notes! Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Gogger Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 I love the Stairsteps, one of my favourite groups. So many great tunes played on the northern scene. If they got together and came over it wouldn't be a five minute set. Just some i've heard out: Change of Pace Playgirls Love Stay Close To Me You Can't See/Ain't Gonna Rest We Must Be In Love Don't Waste Your Time The Girl I Love All cheap as chips as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9bjGEv2UlA agree with you always buy there stuff when i can , this is a nice one, Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
boba Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Just a difference of opinion. Sure. I was partly pointing out that the Windy C records are the best Stairsteps records. I'm assuming you know them. Thanks. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mike Lofthouse Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Record of the Week - (Top Left of Article) BILLBOARD >>> SOUL SAUCE - BEST NEW RECORD OF THE WEEK - 9th NOVEMBER 1968 <<< As an aside - what an eclectic mix in the R&B album chart - Cream, Hendrix, Big Brothers Holding Company, The Dells, Chambers Brothers , Wes Montgomery, eddie Harris, Bobby Taylor!!!!!! Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Ian Dewhirst Posted October 30, 2011 Author Share Posted October 30, 2011 I 'm pretty sure the Five Stairsteps was released first. First of all, it's the only one released on single and it was a hit, Impressions was an LP-cut only. Second of all, this says the Impressions LP was released december of 68: https://www.bsnpubs.c...dah/curtom.html The five stairsteps single was released late in '68 but I'm pretty sure before december. Obviously the five stairsteps LP that had the track came out after the impressions LP though. But surely Curtis would have recorded it with the Impressions first wouldn't he? I presume that Curtis probably had it in the can ready to go and then gave it to the Five Stairsteps......and Cubie on the basis that it was a cute song and would probably fit the guys, gal & 3 year old kid better..........? Ian D Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
boba Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 But surely Curtis would have recorded it with the Impressions first wouldn't he? I presume that Curtis probably had it in the can ready to go and then gave it to the Five Stairsteps......and Cubie on the basis that it was a cute song and would probably fit the guys, gal & 3 year old kid better..........? Curtis produced a lot of groups. He wasn't just a musician, songwriter, and singer; he was a record producer trying to get hits. A lot of the tracks that the Impressions did were first done by other groups. If Curtis had intended it to be mainly an impressions track he would have released it as a single. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Ian Dewhirst Posted October 30, 2011 Author Share Posted October 30, 2011 Curtis produced a lot of groups. He wasn't just a musician, songwriter, and singer; he was a record producer trying to get hits. A lot of the tracks that the Impressions did were first done by other groups. If Curtis had intended it to be mainly an impressions track he would have released it as a single. Yep, I guess so. What I was suggesting was whether the Impressions version acted as a kind of demo for the Stairsteps & Cubie one? I presume it's exactly the same backing track and they just re-recorded the vocals. It'd be interesting to know how far apart the recordings were? It may have been just days, since both versions came out at around the same time. The Five Stairsteps (and Cubie) was undoubtably the more commercial of the two, that's for sure. Ian D Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 THE IMPRESSIONS are most certainly the greatest Chicago group of all time....Both musically and in iconic terms.. THE STAIRSTEPS 45'S put them well near the top of the All Time -'Northern Soul value for money' chart though, that's for sure! I've always wondered why 'The Girl I love' was not much bigger, a lovely finger snapper, great tempo, verging onto DEON JACKSON territory in feel and melody, great record... Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest TONY ROUNCE Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 ...A bit late I know but I finally unearthed my Portuguese Impressions EP this morning. This is a promo copy and it came without a pic sleeve, but I'm sure there must be a stock copy that has one. It came from a bunch of unplayed Portuguese EPs that I acquired for pennies from a South London junkshop in the late 70s, some of which had sleeves and some of which didn't... Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Platters 81 Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 I really like the Carl Smith penned "Your Love Has Changed" from the "Loves Happening" LP....I dont think it got a 45 release..its got an earlier Four Tops motowny feel to it....worth a spin at a venue mebbe...... Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Matt Male Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 THE IMPRESSIONS are most certainly the greatest Chicago group of all time....Both musically and in iconic terms.. THE STAIRSTEPS 45'S put them well near the top of the All Time -'Northern Soul value for money' chart though, that's for sure! I've always wondered why 'The Girl I love' was not much bigger, a lovely finger snapper, great tempo, verging onto DEON JACKSON territory in feel and melody, great record... Maybe because it was the flipside of Ooh, Baby Baby, and the plug side just isn't as good, The Girl I Love probably never got any airplay. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Maybe because it was the flipside of Ooh, Baby Baby, and the plug side just isn't as good, The Girl I Love probably never got any airplay. I know that mate...I meant on our scene.... Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Matt Male Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 I know that mate...I meant on our scene.... I've played it out. But then again no one cares what I play. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
45cellar Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Was available to the Radio Stations too as the DEMOs have A & B side. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
John Benson Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 ...A bit late I know but I finally unearthed my Portuguese Impressions EP this morning. This is a promo copy and it came without a pic sleeve, but I'm sure there must be a stock copy that has one. It came from a bunch of unplayed Portuguese EPs that I acquired for pennies from a South London junkshop in the late 70s, some of which had sleeves and some of which didn't... Nice one Tony! What were the other tracks they put out on that EP then? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
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