It's hard to imagine a better Northern Soul record.  Sublime arrangement, lead vocal to die for, wonderful lyrics and a crashing beat - dance floor and soul perfection.

But....

Was it ever really big?  Hands up if you knew it before the Levine album came out?  It was unknown to me at that time (not saying much, perhaps).  Was it ever a big, in-demand tune before Solid Soul Sensations?

Edited September 15, 20168 yr by Dayo

4 minutes ago, Dayo said:

It's hard to imagine a better Northern Soul record.  Sublime arrangement, lead vocal to die for, wonderful lyrics and a crashing beat - dance floor and soul perfection.

But....

Was it ever really big?  Hands up if you knew it before the Levine album came out?  It was unknown to me at that time (not saying much, perhaps).  Was it ever a big, in-demand tune before Solid Soul Sensations?

It was played many years back but for some reason it drifted away.  Had a resurgance over recent years thank god ! 

Happened with The Del Larks as well.  How can these pieces of sublime music be ignored for so so long, hard to understand especially when you see the rubbish that has continued to rumble on.

Yes but the DelLarks definitely had its moment in the sun before it was pressed.  Like many that year, it was all too brief.  Same with Gwen Owens. Don't recall hearing the Ivories before the LP came out though....

39 minutes ago, Tezza said:

It was played many years back but for some reason it drifted away.  Had a resurgance over recent years thank god ! 

Happened with The Del Larks as well.  How can these pieces of sublime music be ignored for so so long, hard to understand especially when you see the rubbish that has continued to rumble on.

Both Mecca plays, but they were not the required, at Wigan at the time, uptempo banging Northern. There were dozens of tunes like these that never made it at the time, but have had their true recognition since. There are also tunes,that were played back then, like Court Davis , that SHOULD have stayed under the radar IMHO.

Edited September 15, 20168 yr by Kegsy

27 minutes ago, Kegsy said:

Both Mecca plays, but they were not the required, at Wigan at the time, uptempo banging Northern. There were dozens of tunes like these that never made it at the time, but have had their true recognition since. There are also tunes,that were played back then, like Court Davis , that SHOULD have stayed under the radar IMHO.

Ha ha

Hiya, not played or looked at  album for years  but can't remember ivories being on there ? Cheers

7 minutes ago, Pga1 said:

Hiya, not played or looked at  album for years  but can't remember ivories being on there ? Cheers

Having just looked at the vinyl album back cover it isn't on there, and it isn't on the CD version either, which contains some bonus tracks.

Yeh it was big a good few years back, great record! It was played at most places so I think people recognized it. It's weird how tunes like this disappear off play lists at the same time. Another one that has been 'awol' for a while is 'Cookie Scott & The Chevelles - I Don't Care' (Great B side as well 'Misled') This particular one was hammed though so takes the edge off I suppose. Hence it's great when they get reactivated when the time is right.

(Another one that springs to mind is 'Vanguards - Good Times Bad Times') What a tune!

All the best,

Len 

 

 

So, it wasn't on the Solid Soul Sensations album?  Bloody hell, I sometimes joke about my memory issues but I would have bet my house on that being the case.  I guess the whole point of the thread is redundant then! Sorry to send you guys down a blind alley.  It was a great album though!

 

1 hour ago, Dayo said:

It was a great album though!

 

Are you sure? 

Len 

 

51 minutes ago, LEN said:

Are you sure? 

Len 

 

Yes, Len.  My memory may be failing but I stand by that comment.  How many of us had heard the Maxine Brown track before that compilation?  Ok, there were a couple of duffers (Luv Bugs, anyone?) but it was chock full of goodies for the time.

Great record!

My lass reckons it was spun in Ms but mostly associates it with Derby assembly rooms.

Played recently at Soulvation Weston super mare, sounds top on a good system, I only know it from Keele in the eighties being a relative newcomer.

one of my favourites. my copy looks like a sanding disc but actually plays almost perfect.

It was played at Wigan Casino in the later years, 79/80, but never took off! 

  You would see it now and again on lists at that time for around £5. 

  That's how much I paid for mine. 

I bought Gerri Hall (Hotline) in Wigan record bar for £3.  No one seemed very interested at the time.  Sounded too R&Bish then!

Edited September 15, 20168 yr by Guest

Which album are we talking about here? I recall hearing about someone called Levine, worked at Top Rank or Mecca somewhere, but the album, I just can't place. Ivories just a great track but can not recall it from Wigan so guess it did not really take off. If you want another good track on the Despenza label, seek out the Measures 'Girls Are Evil'.

great record

13 hours ago, FRANKIE CROCKER said:

Which album are we talking about here? I recall hearing about someone called Levine, worked at Top Rank or Mecca somewhere, but the album, I just can't place. Ivories just a great track but can not recall it from Wigan so guess it did not really take off. If you want another good track on the Despenza label, seek out the Measures 'Girls Are Evil'.

Solid Soul Sensations on Pye... brilliant compilation, I was five years old in 1975 but interesting to see contemporary classics, a few out-of-fashion cuts and a few which were still to reach their peak, like Patti Jo.

 

https://www.discogs.com/Various-Disco-Demands-Solid-Soul-Sensations/release/2321040

8 hours ago, cover-up said:

Solid Soul Sensations on Pye... brilliant compilation, I was five years old in 1975 but interesting to see contemporary classics, a few out-of-fashion cuts and a few which were still to reach their peak, like Patti Jo.

 

https://www.discogs.com/Various-Disco-Demands-Solid-Soul-Sensations/release/2321040

Thanks for this. Missed it at the time but came across it a few years ago. Looks pretty good and tempting but who plays compilation LP's these days?