At the beginning of David Nowell's book The Story of Northern Soul (or is Too Darn Soulful?!?) he describes hearing for the first time a song (can't remember which) as he was driving that made the hairs on his neck stand and being so overcome was forced to stop the car. Although neither rare or Northern the song Hey Girl by Freddie Scott has a similar effect on me not matter how many times I have listened to it.

At times Freddie's voice is almost breaking and for me it is the most soulful record ever www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBoNypiuft8

Which songs do other members consider to be the most soulful?

Edited November 17, 201113 yr by brummiemick

freddie hughes-send my baby back...gets me every time

Edited November 19, 201113 yr by garswood

Picking out a few lines from a couple of great songs The Four Gents Ive Been Trying when the guy sings the words "so sincerely i wanna love you". Try One Gold Piece when the guy sings the seconed verse "and if i had just one gold piece and happines happiness" it makes me shudder,ive a good mind to catch a plane track him down give him a kiss(maybe) and thank him.As for the Dynamics on Dyna the whole fuckin record is mental

This one really gets the hairs on the back of my neck going

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmEfkV0euu4

Oh and this one aint bad either https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKI-oi4de0E

Edited November 19, 201113 yr by NEV

Great thread. So many to choose from, and some great choices already.

For me I never tire of hearing Four Tops - Baby I need your loving. The bit when Levi sings "when you see me smile" about 1:30 in, you can almost hear the tears in his voice.

Another one would be, Color him father - The Winstons. Catch me after a couple of drinks with this one and I'm blubbering, Lol.

Whilst pondering and thinking of several northern records. I thought I'd post this instead. Not sure how to differentiate 'Blues' and 'Soul', and I'm again guilty of stating the bloody obvious. But . . . .turn off the lights of an evening, play this, look out of a window and try not well up and collapse inside!

northern SAM WILLIAMS LOVE SLIPPED THROUGH MY FINGERS dosent make the hairs stand up on your neck its burns em off

modern crossover MELVIN BROWN LOVE STORMY WEATHER OR FREDDIE SCOTT GIRL I LOVE YOU BOTH NECK AND NECK

female in general RHONDA DAVIS LONG WALK OF A SHORT PIER sticks out in my mind

male in general DAVID HUDSON MUST I KILL HER the title speaks for itself scary soul

literally 1000.s of others but a couple more that springs to mind are the last 30 seconds of Charles Johnson never had a love so good the guy is busting blood vessels never never never never never!!!!!!!!!!! and of course Herman Hitson you cant keep a good man down ESSENTIAL and moving vocals

Great thread. So many to choose from, and some great choices already.

For me I never tire of hearing Four Tops - Baby I need your loving. The bit when Levi sings "when you see me smile" about 1:30 in, you can almost hear the tears in his voice.

Another one would be, Color him father - The Winstons. Catch me after a couple of drinks with this one and I'm blubbering, Lol.

Good shouts Steve ...Levi left us with some great songs to remember him by ...which reminds me " the flip of "Ask the lonely" and a great contender " where did you go"

Good shouts Steve ...Levi left us with some great songs to remember him by ...which reminds me " the flip of "Ask the lonely" and a great contender " where did you go"

So many great songs from Levi. Awesome voice !!!

Check out Don't bring back memories vastly underated track and hardly ever played out !

So many great songs from Levi. Awesome voice !!!

Check out Don't bring back memories vastly underated track and hardly ever played out !

think it got a real airing up here in the N.east just a few yr back ...amazing thing about the four tops stuff ...always cheap but top notch sounds

I like that track but most soulful record? it's almost pop.

Fair point Bob, it just the opening vocal that grabs me, that's soulful IMO.

Aid

Volumes Ain't gonna give you up.

The tortured vocal is fabulous.

Aid

the diversity in this thread of what people consider "most soulful" is interesting

Thread title asks 'most soulful' . However hairs on back of neck = emotive in my book and I'd go along with Freddie Scott, Sam Cooke and the Levi Stubbs - Just ask the lonely - acapella.

Most soulful - Eddie Parker - I'm Gone.

the diversity in this thread of what people consider "most soulful" is interesting

I was thinking the same Bob

Funny this thread came up today cause I was thinking earlier about Judy Clay singing 'My arms aren't strong enough' ...a killer soulful tune. Check it out - heartwrenchingly good

How about The Vibrations- Who's gonna help me now . Very soulful

Bobby McClure...To Get what you got...Hi 45...soulfully wonderful imo

I was thinking the same Bob

Maybe we should put it on hold and have a referendum on the definition of " soulful" and then when we are agreed ....re-open

But imho ...it means different things to different people ...so why not agree to disagree and carry on with this uplifting thread

Another one I like Blendels Did You Mean.

Pure soulful heartache.

Another one I like Blendels Did You Mean.

Pure soulful heartache.

First time I heard Cody Black Mr Blue, that was the moment of no return, just the 1st time a record hit me in such an emotional way cant really describe it just did I guess

There are so many great records mentioned on this thread and I have tried to listen to as many as possible but i absolutey love this one - and it's yet another that I have never heard!

Picking out a few lines from a couple of great songs The Four Gents Ive Been Trying when the guy sings the words "so sincerely i wanna love you".

I totally understand where you're coming from......killer record

Maybe we should put it on hold and have a referendum on the definition of " soulful" and then when we are agreed ....re-open

But imho ...it means different things to different people ...so why not agree to disagree and carry on with this uplifting thread

I agree with you Nev and that is plainly obvious with some of the choices already made.

Been listening to Betty Harris all week, could pick several from her that are oh so soulful, the same for Tommy Tate who has had some hammer this week.

Betty Harris - What A Sad feeling and I'm Evil Tonight

Little Anthony - Hurt So Bad

Ronnie Savoy - Loving You

Sam Bowie - Think About The Times

Four Tops - Ask The Lonely

some superb wrist slashers already mentioned,four tops double sider,just ask the lonely/where did you go,cody blavk-mr blue,and many many more quality contenders ! id like to add to the lists if i may

eddie parker-crying clown

clyde mcphatter-two lonely people

johnny gilliam-roomfull of tears

and this one breaks my fookin heart !!!

jason

Walter Jackson - Not You

My top 3 records of ALL TIME are: Louis Armstrong - "Wonderful World", Otis Redding - "Dock of the Bay" & Aretha Franklin - "Say A Little Prayer" and they just happen to be the most soulful - for me at least

Lorraine Ellison. Stay with Me. Is Quite Good.

These amonst so many rate at the top of the list for me....

Eddie Parker "But If You Must Go" (the 45 version)

Smokey 007 "Please Don't make me Cry" Birland

Carl Hall "You Don't Know Nothing About Love" Loma

Bill Brandon "Rainbow Road" Tower

Freddie Hughes "I Just Found Out" Janus

Joe Hinton "Don't Tell Her The Truth" ABC Dunhill

Tony Owens "Wishing Waiting Hoping" Soulin

...tis so hard picking a most soulful when you're trying to suround yourself with the most soulful music you can find. the true beauty of it all is there is always something new to hear

steve

Whilst pondering and thinking of several northern records. I thought I'd post this instead. Not sure how to differentiate 'Blues' and 'Soul', and I'm again guilty of stating the bloody obvious. But . . . .turn off the lights of an evening, play this, look out of a window and try not well up and collapse inside!

Tried to get to five Soul hairs on the back of the neck -

Idris Muhammad (Sakina's vocal) - I'm a Believer (Gospel soul that makes me want to believe in a god)

Gayle Harris - Aint Gonna Let It Get Me Down

Johnny Copeland - The Invitation (or the flip would do too)

Little Milton - Driftin' Drifter

and just for the vocal power that goes through you like a neutrino through butter Roy Hamilton - The Panic Is On.

Probabaly change my mind tomorrow.

edit.

Edited November 20, 201113 yr by garethx

One which should definitely be on the list is "I Made It Over", the cruelly neglected flip of Jimmy Robins' "I Can't Please You". An eloquent, dignified and moving performance from one of the great vocalists. To hint at an entire lifetime's humanity and struggle in just three minutes embodies the genius of the finest soul music at the genre's artistic peak.

Okay, this is my last go at this thread & I've had more than my fair share, but I've just got home & I've been thinking about this question all night so here goes

Fred Lowrey Can't Get Enough Of My Baby's Love.

Bobby Hutton Come See What's Left Of Me

Phontics Don't Let Love Get You Down.

Jimmy Gildford Don't Let Me Loose.

Jack Montgomery Don't Turn Your Back On Me.

Aid.

From household names I would nominate Wilson Pickett's "I've Come A Long Way". Maybe Bobby Womack's best song and a sensational performance from WP and the American Studios musicians right at the top of their collective game.

Arthur Conley is an almost criminally under-rated vocalist in my opinion and a few of his performances are spookily soulful. On "Otis, Sleep On" he captures a level of pathos which is practically super-human.

The Soul Children's "Move Over" is a staggeringly soulful record where the interplay of the two male leads never fails to take the breath away. Add a great Hayes-Porter song and the perfect Stax backing track and you have a record which is hard to beat.

The Masqueraders Amercian Studios recordings are near the pinnacle too. "I'm Just An Average Guy", "Let's Face Facts", "Please take Me Back", "This Heart Is Haunted" are all simply magnificent performances.

"You've got me dangling on a string" Chairmen of the Board

Must be one of the most emotion filled songs ever! Just listened to it and the memories of my adolescence came flooding back!

The lyrics are angst personified....

You've got me dangling on a string

Please don't let me drop

My life will surely stop

'Cause I'm trapped in a dream of needing you so

My heart's in a noose and I can't break loose

I'm not half the man that I used to be, and I'll admit it

Your love has become a habit to me, and I can't quit it

Won't you take this half a man and make this man whole again?

You've got me dangling on a string

Please don't let me drop

'Cause you're everything I've got

'Cause I'm trapped in a dream of needing you so

The feeling is strong and I can't let go

Every time I phone, your number's changed or disconnected

You have made my life a book of games--I feel so rejected

Girl, you've got the best of me, now come and take the rest of me

You've got me dangling on a string

Please don't let me drop

You're everything I've got

'Cause I'm trapped in a dream of needing you so

My heart's in a noose and I can't break loose

Girl, my nights are so lonely

Ooh, I'm needing you only

I only drink enough from your loving cup to keep me thirsty

Girl my need for you is oh so strong until it hurts me

You've got me dangling on a string

Please don't let me drop

You're everything I've got

'Cause I'm trapped in a dream of needing you so

The feeling is strong and I can't let go

You've got me dangling on a string...

Edited November 20, 201113 yr by brummiemick

The late great Sam Cooke - Pilgrim Of Sorrow

Enough said

https://www.youtube.c...e&v=8e69gCpD4KA

Hey up Irish, how's you lad?

I'll see your Pilgrim Of Sorrow, and raise you a Jesus Wash Away My Troubles

Pure, soaring, mournful gospel genius.

Some amazingly sad soulful ballads already posted, so I was trying to think of some on a more uplifting and/or danceable soulful tip. I'd have to go for JP Robinson, Our Day Is Here. Sad & happy at the same time, the vocal really tugs at my heartstrings. Or maybe Donny Hathaway, Love Love Love.

Tee

"You've got me dangling on a string" Chairmen of the Board

Must be one of the most emotion filled songs ever! Just listened to it and the memories of my adolescence came flooding back!

The lyrics are angst personified....

You've got me dangling on a string

Please don't let me drop

My life will surely stop

'Cause I'm trapped in a dream of needing you so

My heart's in a noose and I can't break loose

I'm not half the man that I used to be, and I'll admit it

Your love has become a habit to me, and I can't quit it

Won't you take this half a man and make this man whole again?

You've got me dangling on a string

Please don't let me drop

'Cause you're everything I've got

'Cause I'm trapped in a dream of needing you so

The feeling is strong and I can't let go

Every time I phone, your number's changed or disconnected

You have made my life a book of games--I feel so rejected

Girl, you've got the best of me, now come and take the rest of me

You've got me dangling on a string

Please don't let me drop

You're everything I've got

'Cause I'm trapped in a dream of needing you so

My heart's in a noose and I can't break loose

Girl, my nights are so lonely

Ooh, I'm needing you only

I only drink enough from your loving cup to keep me thirsty

Girl my need for you is oh so strong until it hurts me

You've got me dangling on a string

Please don't let me drop

You're everything I've got

'Cause I'm trapped in a dream of needing you so

The feeling is strong and I can't let go

You've got me dangling on a string...

have you seen the ridiculous exploito video for this song? doesn't make it seem powerful.

Seconed Hand Happiness Jimmy Conwell

two of the best for me fantastic.....

Hey up Irish, how's you lad?

I'll see your Pilgrim Of Sorrow, and raise you a Jesus Wash Away My Troubles

Pure, soaring, mournful gospel genius.

I am keeping very well thanks Theresa and hope you are to.

Well i have called ya . Opps nice hand i think you had that Ace up your sleeve all a long lol .

Edited November 20, 201113 yr by Irish Spinner

two of the best for me fantastic.....

That Young Mods is...........mental.love to you both,in fact when i hear that i love everybody in the world,especialy my Nic

That Young Mods is...........mental.love to you both,in fact when i hear that i love everybody in the world,especialy my Nic

The Carltons I'm A Man Argo

The Vals Too Late Ascot

The Mighty Marvelows I'm Without A Girl ABC

Entertainers IV My Garden Of Eden Dore

Bobby Bland Share Your Love With Me Duke

Dave

Edited November 20, 201113 yr by Louise

Minnie Ripperton - loving you

Even better because it was a commercial success, as it spread the word of how soul can get right under your skin.

Purely for voice alone, Linda Jones, as mentioned several times, has to be the best example of a soulful singer.

Sad to think none of these two ladies are here to accept to applause.

Ed

Sissie Houston, Don't come running to me, the voice, the lyrics, the soaring backing vocals and those horns...............

Freddie Scott - Mr Heartache.... still does it for me everytime

Ray Pollard "The Drifter"

Ooooo!! now that is soul, full on emotion and sung like the mans life was actually torn to bits at some point.

Love this tune

have you seen the ridiculous exploito video for this song? doesn't make it seem powerful.

No I haven't when was that ?

If we are talking generic soulful sound, then I'd put in mine as Rance Allen Group 'Showdown' from Stax.

Little bit gospelly I suppose, but you can actually 'feel' the soulful emotions in the song, always liked this one.

Aid.

Without a doubt the most Soulful vocal performance on a dancer I've ever heard, the range level RANCE hits on this remarkable version of the old ARCHIE BELL chestnut almost defies belief..Said the same thing on another thread recently I am sure!.... .