I seem to think I've rambled on about this weird album many times over the last few years on here. And now with the inclusion of sound clips we can discuss it further. But first check the dreadful front cover - oh dear

Released in 1976 on the Shelby Singleton owned SSS label out of Nashville, Tennessee. Featuring 10 tracks sadly most of them are instrumentals but not of the expected disco kind more like completely forgetable fillers. Strange? But tucked quietly away are some decent vocal tracks, the best being the gorgeous "Just another dress rehearsal". Despite the album's cosy title none of Van's friends even get a credit or mention anywhere. See informative rear cover - dig those boots

I've always been lead to believe it's Chris Bartley singing away on the two above named vocal cuts, whether I've just been repeating parrot fashion what I've been told or read I don't know, but on "Just another dress rehearsal" even with my cloth ears that does sound just like Chris. Also my fog of a memory tells me this cut was or has been played covered up many years ago on the northern scene - anybody confirm?

Just to be different my copy is on Australian SSS - same as Bri Pinch's copy

And I agree with Andy's suggestion that it was probably a "cash in" release that was suppoused to ride in on the back of "The Hustle" which was massive a year earlier. Looks like it didn't.

John Manship currently has on auction an acetate by the Van McCoy Strings performing the - stupendous unissued - instrumental "Dress rehersal". I'm unable to play the soundclips on John's site so cannot comment - is it simply the instrumental to the vocal version contained on this SSS album? I suspect Simon Soussan would have beefed up the instrumental wouldn't he? Can anybody compare and confirm?

It's all good fun,

derek

If I get time/chance I'll try post up the other 2 tracks as favoured by Andy and Bri.

Edited November 25, 200618 yr by Derek Pearson

Eyup Derek . My fave track on the lp is Help is on the way. I always thought it was Van himself who sang the vocal on these trax tho i could be wrong. Still you're reet tho' tis a great lp.

(ps. my copy is on australian SSS Int).

Best,Bri.

I seem to think I've rambled on about this weird album many times over the last few years on here. And now with the inclusion of sound clips we can discuss it further. But first check the dreadful front cover - oh dear

Released in 1976 on the Shelby Singleton owned SSS label out of Nashville, Tennessee. Featuring 10 tracks sadly most of them are instrumentals but not of the expected disco kind more like completely forgetable fillers. Strange? But tucked away are some gorgeous vocal tracks, the best being "Just another dress rehearsal" and "Ain't got no love". Despite the album's cosy title none of Van's friends even get a credit or mention anywhere. See informative rear cover - dig those boots

I've always been lead to believe it's Chris Bartley singing away on the two above named vocal cuts, whether I've just been repeating parrot fashion what I've been told or read I don't know, but on "Just another dress rehearsal" even with my cloth ears that does sound just like Chris.

more scans to follow + soundclips

Hi derek,

Yes very strange album but has some great tunes, and yes i was lead to believe it,s Chris Bartley and sounds like him to, i seem to think it must have been some stuff Shelby Singleton had the rights to, old van Mccoy produced stuff and thought they would cash in on Vans Hustle fame explaining the Disco cover.

Just one thing that i would like to clear up and maybe someone out there can help the track "what kind of man" dosen't sound like Chris Bartley to me? who is it or is it just Chris had had a few to many fags the night before? my fave track on the album by the way

cheers

Andy

Doesn't manship have the dress rehearsal on his auction at the minute

Just another dress rehearsal - van mccoy - sss album only

12010 refosoul

Chris Bartley on vocals?

Aint got no love - van mccoy - sss album

12011 refosoul

Sold a copy of this recently on ebay and got quite a bit more for it than I expected!! Always nice when that happens.

Edited November 25, 200618 yr by Dodger

If i remember, did'nt Sweet and easy/Back trackin come out as a 45 on Share back in 69. Think you're right about the Chris Bartley thing. I know he did alot of session work for Van down the years. Got a 45 from 1978 on MCA called My favourite fantasy by Van but it sounds like the same vocalist as on these trax.

Best Bri.

PS. Help is on the way still best track .

PS. Help is on the way still best track .

I'd have to side with 'What Kind Of Man'.

Aint got no love - van mccoy - sss album

12011 refosoul

Hello Derek , the " Dress Rehearsal " track that John has up for auction at the moment is the backing track to the above .Chris Marriott [Mansfield ] taped it for me a few years back . Think John Vincent used to play it , post Casino .Think Guy played " Ain't got no love " at Stafford . Best ,Eddie

Hello Derek , the " Dress Rehearsal " track that John has up for auction at the moment is the backing track to the above .Chris Marriott [Mansfield ] taped it for me a few years back . Think John Vincent used to play it , post Casino .Think Guy played " Ain't got no love " at Stafford . Best ,Eddie

They sound completely different

The clip on Johns site does sound amazingly close to the so-called Sidney Barnes Orchestra's instrumental to I 'Hurt On The Other Side' though. In fact the percussion and (I suspect synth generated) string sounds are identical. SBO was a Simon Soussan acetate only job from around the same time, so I reckon there's more of the man from LA than Van the disco man on John's auction piece.

Godz

WHAT KIND OF MAN - van mccoy - sss international

12035 refosoul

To me the best track on the album,so far up my street its parked outside my house.

Not a typical van mccoy produced record and still not sure who is singing,Chris bartley not convinced but never have been great at picking out vocalists please someone help me out on this,anyway a great tune.

enjoy

Andy

Edited November 26, 200618 yr by Guest

Sold a copy of this recently on ebay and got quite a bit more for it than I expected!! Always nice when that happens.

Not surpised at all Roger, not a easy album to come by, but reckon you got more for the ultimates? when will people start learn

Andy

They sound completely different

The clip on Johns site does sound amazingly close to the so-called Sidney Barnes Orchestra's instrumental to I 'Hurt On The Other Side' though. In fact the percussion and (I suspect synth generated) string sounds are identical. SBO was a Simon Soussan acetate only job from around the same time, so I reckon there's more of the man from LA than Van the disco man on John's auction piece.

Godz

Hello Godz , the Chris Bartley does sound a few revs slower that Dress Rehearsal , and sounds to me like strings have been added where Chris Bartleys vocals were .What do you reckon ? Best Eddie

Just another dress rehearsal - van mccoy - sss album only

12010 refosoul

Chris Bartley on vocals?

why why album only for this one abs brilliant !

A well known record dealer who's already been mentioned in this thread has a copy of this album for sale at £75.

derek

A well known record dealer who's already been mentioned in this thread has a copy of this album for sale at £75.

derek

* thanks for the tip Derek . saving up atm though. also would look stupid with only one LP as handlaguage when I´m moving over

If i remember, did'nt Sweet and easy/Back trackin come out as a 45 on Share back in 69. Think you're right about the Chris Bartley thing. I know he did alot of session work for Van down the years. Got a 45 from 1978 on MCA called My favourite fantasy by Van but it sounds like the same vocalist as on these trax. Best Bri. 

PS. Help is on the way still best track .

 

He actually didn't do much session work  for Van McCoy, it was McCoy himself.

Thanks Chris had totally forgot about this dress rehearsal tune. Love it! Thought my SS account was hacked for a while going back a bit this