Popular Post Derek Pearson Posted December 2, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted December 2, 2014 Over the years I’ve asked myself several times“so what is it exactly that I like about soul music so much?” Well this release ticks all the boxes on my checklist and sums up what I could never say in less than 3 minutes. The Four Tops “Just ask the lonely” (2.50 mins ish) released just at the beginning of 1965 as the US involvement in the Vietnam war escalated even further, resulting in more and more young Americans being drafted into the area. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLCr1DoL4mI Quote: Levi Stubbs’s acapella was the most feared by many of the other Motown performers. Smokey Robinson once said the performers used to go to house parties for acapella contests and the winner would win the money collected. Whenever the Four Tops showed, they knew the contest was over! So every now and then after putting away far more than the Governments recommended daily intake of alcohol you might start deluding yourself a bit and daydreaming, “I can sing a bit you know, if only I’d have tried a bit harder, rehearsed a bit more on a good day I could have fronted most of the super groups and given their lead singers a bloody good run for the money”. Oh really? You think you got what it takes? For starters follow this, match it and even better it (if at all humanely possible). Quite simply the distillation and very essence of a male lead vocal in it’s purest form. Breathtaking is the word I’d use. Derek Accapella version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kKs3pZLAO4 Backing vocals and instrumentation: From The Andantes & The Funk Brothers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXtbhSu0OQw 7 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Derek Pearson Posted December 2, 2014 Author Share Posted December 2, 2014 It's not often I listen to these type of remixes but this chap used the right language and quite a large amount of skills. Derek Extended version (4.11 mins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slOQu82QLRo Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Derek Pearson Posted December 2, 2014 Author Share Posted December 2, 2014 And another extended version from the same chap. My second pleasant surprise of the evening Derek Extended version II (5.35mins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM8eb0fiJ9g Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Sjclement Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 I've got a soft spot for this version 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Stateside Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 The official Motown karaoke cd's are a good way of hearing the Accapella versions of motown records. They are split half vocal half instrumental If you turn half the channel down you get just the vocal. Listen to Shake Me Wake me! it's amazing Kev Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
John Moffatt Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 If anyone were ever to ask, just what is soul music, just play this trilogy. If they don't get, they're lost beyond any hope of redemeption. Just plain awsome. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Rob Moss Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 (edited) Not a mention about the genius who actually created this masterpiece - the great Ivy Hunter. Don't care how great a voice/arrangement/production is applied to a recording - without lyrics and music there is nothing. Ivy's own version is the best by the way. Last track. (11:28) Edited December 2, 2014 by Rob Moss Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest johnny hart Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 I too have a Soft Spot for Billy Eckstine [and all his motown offerings ,apart from "i Wonder Why"] a very large Swamp! Levi Numero Uno great posting. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Jim Ohara Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Not a mention about the genius who actually created this masterpiece - the great Ivy Hunter. Don't care how great a voice/arrangement/production is applied to a recording - without lyrics and music there is nothing. Ivy's own version is the best by the way. Last track. (11:28) Never heard this version before Rob yes, good, but for me the Four Tops is quite simple musical perfection and will simply never be matched brings back some incredible memories of allantons very own 3 before 8, or sometimes even 9 if I could ever get Jock to wind it up 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Scotters Posted December 4, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted December 4, 2014 ...and the fact that you get "Where did you go?" on the other side of the original 45 has got to make this one of the most soulful, most affordable, most almost everything releases ever. A mate gave me a "spare" copy a few years ago and I'll treasure it as long as I'm here. 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
kevinsoulman Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 I LIKE THIS VERSION MESELF AFTER LEVI 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mtay9778 Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Fantastic! Enjoyed hearing that Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 When Levi died i played the acapella version and cried my eyes out . It blew me away. Simply a awesome version of the greatest song ever Steve 1 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Jim Ohara Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 When Levi died i played the acapella version and cried my eyes out . It blew me away. Simply a awesome version of the greatest song ever Steve Must agree with you steve - the greatest song ever - alongside marvin's "WHATS GOING ON" jim 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Steve Myers Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 If you ever need a reminder of how good Levi Stubbs voice was just listen to the control he has. He can go from a whisper to a roar in an instant, while at the same time sounding effortless and melodic. Accapella version was only ever released on the lost and found CD series as far as I'm aware. Very hard to get hold of and £80 when released Rip Levi........ 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 13 years ago today we lost the greatest male vocalist of all time and 13 years ago today I heard this version for the very first time and it brought tears to my eyes. Sleep well and in soulful peace levi. 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Shinehead Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 (edited) Does not get better than " Ask the Lonely " the acapella version also takes on a new meaning to the great song . Glad I got the chance to see the Tops in the Seventies a couple of times and they were great live too. Edited October 19, 2021 by Shinehead 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Seano Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 It was also available on the 2008 DVD "The Four Tops; Reach Out. Definitive Performances 1965-1973".A really excellent DVD that also makes a cappella versions of these songs available: Baby I need your lovin' - (spellcheck switched that to 'login' at first ) I can't help myself It's the same old song Something about you Loving you is sweeter than ever 7 rooms of gloom Walk away Renee If I were a carpenter Reach out I'll be there A simple game Well worth getting if you can find it! 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
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