Two white girls and it's handbags at dawn!

 

Susan Barrett for me 👍

Cheers Paul

Following my embarrassing faux pas with the Edwin/Doni  poll I thought I ought to listen to them this time! And having done so, Dusty everytime for me!

Edited July 4, 20186 yr by Rich B

Team Dusty for me.

Susan Barrett every time. What a stomper! Dusty's version is rather pedestrian by comparison. 

I'm easy either way on this one. Need a third choice.

The two versions illustrate why american production was considered superior to uk, by so many. 

Susan's for the production , Dusty's for the voice,   voice wins  🎶

First heard WIGB on the Jumping at the go go Lp....Susan shades it for me.

Best compilation Lp produced up to that point in my opinion.

Never heard it played very much anywhere to be honest. Was Dusty actually played first?

Ed

Never heard either played out as 'newies'  but I seem to think that people thought Susan Barret was a black artist so it always seemed to have more kudos.

 

Wow after 18 votes it's bang on 50/50, shocker, I had no idea, I thought this was gonna be a complete landslide.

52 minutes ago, Rich B said:

Never heard either played out as 'newies'  but I seem to think that people thought Susan Barret was a black artist so it always seemed to have more kudos.

 

I remember Richard Searling playing Susan Barrett @ Wigan Oldies nighter and introducing it as "the soul version". 

I had no idea she was a white artist untill I read the 1st post in this thread, and really don"t care. I like Dusty Springfield a lot, especially her Philly LP, but still prefer Ms Barrett"s version on this song

Cheers Paul

Both pop shite but if I was forced to choose it would be Susan Barrett, more Northern and I just can’t get along with Dusty full stop. 

Edited July 4, 20186 yr by chalky

1 hour ago, Rich B said:

Never heard either played out as 'newies'  but I seem to think that people thought Susan Barret was a black artist so it always seemed to have more kudos.

 

Why on earth they thought she was black is beyond me?

SB first played by Ian Levine at Blackpool Mecca

Massive memories of 72/73 with both. SB played out first, at the Mecca if I recall, swiftly followed by DS everywhere else. Difficult to choose. As already mentioned, the SB version is probably the better dancer, just, but Dusty's voice has to swing it for me. Again, probably another of those "you had to be there" tunes. 

As an aside, and a tenuous link to the recent OVO "Unbelievable" thread, the DS version was booted on Out Of The Past (second series, plain white label)  in, I think, 74. Rumour had it at the time, that it was this particular tune which attracted the attention of the BPI, leading to CB pulling the ad from B&S magazine (it only featured once). I think they were all being flogged at two quid apiece originally, which wasn't too bad for some of the rarer tunes, but crazy when you consider the DS tune was easily had for 10p on every market stall and 5p in every junk shop in the north of England at the time !!!!!!!!!!!!

Think the song needs the big attack SB gives it, not really one for Dusty this.

dusty wins this by a light year, far better voice, sounds great in a big venue.

4 hours ago, ThinkSmart said:

I'm easy either way on this one. Need a third choice.

What like the more up tempo Barbara Acklin Version off her Brunswick LP "Someone Else's Arms" & My Favourite Version.

Susan for me,better production,better dancer 

Flip to sb aint bad imho, has a certain sense of atmosphere. 

 

 

Ed

Edited July 5, 20186 yr by tomangoes
Spello

13 hours ago, chalky said:

Why on earth they thought she was black is beyond me?

With 40+ years of hindsight me too Chalky. As for 'at the time' I would put it down to a couple of things;

1. Being 16 and very enthusiastic - but ultimately a little naive, and my taste/ear wasn't as developed back then. 

2. The 'older' lads holding those opinions - and they seemed to know what they were talking about and they didn't like you talking back to them back then, also I don't recall seeing pictures of these artists to clear the matter up definitively. You may recall that artists like Billy Harner were also thought to be black during that era.

3. My internet connection was really slow back in 1974.

Other than that, no excuses, my bad as the young folk said back then.

Closing the poll after a week.

Edited July 5, 20186 yr by BabyBoyAndMyLass
Changed the timeframe

6 minutes ago, BabyBoyAndMyLass said:

Closing the poll at fifty votes, seems like a fair sample size, from 50/50 early doors it looks as if SB has just taken it, I haven't voted, but wouldn't entertain voting for Dusty on this one although I love many of her songs, not this one, as many have said SB jumps out of the speakers at you, that compressed, picked Bass makes it for me, think Dusty's voice more suited to tunes like 'You don't have to say you love me' and 'Spooky' which I adore.

Seems fair enough, even though, after much deliberation, I plumped for Dusty. Nice to hear views from people who weren't there at the time, and therefore can assess both versions on the respective technical values etc., rather than the emotions remembered from when the tunes were first played out. Gives a completely different perspective, and one, which may be said, is actually more honest.

As for SB being known as a black artist, that's a new one on me. Within weeks of it being played in '72, everyone knew she was white. Same went for many of the other white artists who had big tunes being played at the time, such as Billy Harner, Evie Sands, Rufus Lumley, PJ, Debbie Dean etc. We didn't care and it didn't seem to matter. Both versions filled the floor.

32 minutes ago, BabyBoyAndMyLass said:

Closing the poll after a week.

Next one could be Homer banks vs Taj Mahal? It'd get all the old Wheelers and Torch-goers scrapping amongst themselves 🙂 Lol.

don't find either of them in the least bit soulful but can see why Susan Barrett was big as it's definitely more of a dancer - both crap and cringe whenever I hear either get played out (which luckily isn't that often)

4 minutes ago, Ahoy Sailor said:

don't find either of them in the least bit soulful but can see why Susan Barrett was big as it's definitely more of a dancer - both crap and cringe whenever I hear either get played out (which luckily isn't that often)

It boggles my mind some of the things I read on here. It IS a Northern Soul allniter classic, still we all don't have to like the same ones do we?

I think if I were to reinvent the scene I'd bin the word 'Soul' completely, it doesn't really represent anything at all does it?

I have never heard the Dusty version played out, I only ever heard it on tapes that folks gave to me back in the day. Might be interesting to hear of any venues where it was chosen over the Susan Barrett record? 

1 minute ago, BabyBoyAndMyLass said:

It boggles my mind some of the things I read on here. It IS a Northern Soul allniter classic, still we all don't have to like the same ones do we?

I think if I were to reinvent the scene I'd bin the word 'Soul' completely, it doesn't really represent anything at all does it?

I have never heard the Dusty version played out, I only ever heard it on tapes that folks gave to me back in the day. Might be interesting to hear of any venues where it was chosen over the Susan Barrett record? 

"Northern Soul" all-nighter classic, we all know that there are quite a few non soul tunes played on the northern scene (as well as other parts of the scene) just due to the dancing beat - luckily there's plenty out there for all of us, it's just not for me - have a good one

Can we do a poll about music next time? 🎶🎶

21 minutes ago, Ahoy Sailor said:

don't find either of them in the least bit soulful but can see why Susan Barrett was big as it's definitely more of a dancer - both crap and cringe whenever I hear either get played out (which luckily isn't that often)

 

49 minutes ago, Joey said:

Seems fair enough, even though, after much deliberation, I plumped for Dusty. Nice to hear views from people who weren't there at the time, and therefore can assess both versions on the respective technical values etc., rather than the emotions remembered from when the tunes were first played out. Gives a completely different perspective, and one, which may be said, is actually more honest.

As for SB being known as a black artist, that's a new one on me. Within weeks of it being played in '72, everyone knew she was white. Same went for many of the other white artists who had big tunes being played at the time, such as Billy Harner, Evie Sands, Rufus Lumley, PJ, Debbie Dean etc. We didn't care and it didn't seem to matter. Both versions filled the floor.

 

Just now, Ahoy Sailor said:

"Northern Soul" all-nighter classic, we all know that there are quite a few non soul tunes played on the northern scene (as well as other parts of the scene) just due to the dancing beat - luckily there's plenty out there for all of us, it's just not for me - have a good one

Yes as I said we all like different ones, that's the beauty of such a huge canon. Yes there are many records that some people consider as not soul, I agree fully and wonder where some records are connected at all, hence my saying I'd drop the 'soul' tag altogether.

'Northern Dance scene' would've covered it much less confusingly! Yeah thanks, I'm doing St Ives weekender tomorrow for three days so my lass will have a good one, cheers bud!

1 minute ago, Spain pete said:

Can we do a poll about music next time? 🎶🎶

 

 

Yes you suggest one Pete eh?

Mike always asking for poll suggestions.

Myself I love girly blue eyed pop soul northern dance.

This one was my idea and not really connected to Mike's long running series.

I’m ignoring all previous discussion, I won’t be swayed, and my answer was immediate... yes I know how arrogant of me!!  Lol

TEAM DUSTY ! 

If that intro don’t get ya, Dusty will!!! 

Malc 

 

Edited July 5, 20186 yr by Mal C

38 minutes ago, BabyBoyAndMyLass said:

Yes you suggest one Pete eh?

Mike always asking for poll suggestions.

Myself I love girly blue eyed pop soul northern dance.

This one was my idea and not really connected to Mike's long running series.

What about "picture me gone" Evie Sands, Madeline Bell and for a laugh add in Dave Berry

Love all that stuff and some,  in fact l like most things soulful music wise but where ? Why ? Played by ?white black ? When ? How much ? Where does it all end ? Don't you know l love you - Jackie or the major , musically speaking only please   , could be refreshing? 🎶🎶👍

1 hour ago, BabyBoyAndMyLass said:

Yes you suggest one Pete eh?

Mike always asking for poll suggestions.

Myself I love girly blue eyed pop soul northern dance.

This one was my idea and not really connected to Mike's long running series.

 

1 hour ago, gogs said:

What about "picture me gone" Evie Sands, Madeline Bell and for a laugh add in Dave Berry

And why miss poor Diane Brooks out on Verve?

Now lets assume for one minute that some of us on this site have different tastes - now relax take a deep breath sigh deeply - there you go all that emotion frustration and anger melts away

Right the next one to argue gonna get banned for life from here, there never going to be admitted to anymore soul nights or days & the purchasing of any more records of any discription will be punishable by death

By the Order of Kirsty

Edited July 5, 20186 yr by Gold Band

6 minutes ago, Gold Band said:

And why miss poor Diane Brooks out on Verve?

 

I hadn't heard of this version until now, not really my cup of tea though.

Ummm

More comparisons of the two ladies..

Ed

3 hours ago, Spain pete said:

Love all that stuff and some,  in fact l like most things soulful music wise but where ? Why ? Played by ?white black ? When ? How much ? Where does it all end ? Don't you know l love you - Jackie or the major , musically speaking only please   , could be refreshing? 🎶🎶👍

 

Have you listened to the Artistics version of "Don't you know I love you" Pete, that's a  nice version there's one up on youtube courtesy of Bri

Kirsty

14 minutes ago, tomangoes said:

Ummm

More comparisons of the two ladies..

Ed

Well Ed there are lots of renditions of "Take Me For A Little While" but that's the first time I've heard Dusty Do It.

Thanks Ed

Kirsty

the bass line swings it...    SB is on the nail,  Dusty's bassist seemed to have moved down the fret board on the second bar,  doesnt work. 

   Dusty could sing without a doubt,   but Susan Barratt is on the button,  dusty seems to labour 

Nice version with great Harmony's,  strings and things,   thanks for the info 👍🎶👏🎶

59 minutes ago, Gold Band said:

Have you listened to the Artistics version of "Don't you know I love you" Pete, that's a  nice version there's one up on youtube courtesy of Bri

Kirsty

 

10 hours ago, Rich B said:

My internet connection was really slow back in 1974. 

Other  than that, no excuses, my bad as the young folk said back then.

Lololol.

*takes ruined computer keyboard and now empty can of lager to the bin * 

Dusty's version for me here.

Both versions lack my interprataion of NS or Soul just catchy pop records with a little twist with the production and backing singers, Nothing against Dusty but Helen Shapiro had the better voice for me with this Genre, Better still was Julie Grant from Blackpool around at the same time she did versions of Drifters and Baby Washington material and did a good job a real powerful soul voice but never got the acclaim they got, in fact she beat Helen into second place in a singing talent contest circa Butlins 1960

ML

 

 

From Billboard November 1967

2 hours ago, Hooker1951 said:

Both versions lack my interprataion of NS or Soul just catchy pop records with a little twist with the production and backing singers

ML

 

 

No record was ever recorded to be a northern soul record, they all wanted to be in the charts so your statement doesn't make much sense.

8 hours ago, gogs said:

No record was ever recorded to be a northern soul record, they all wanted to be in the charts so your statement doesn't make much sense.

It makes sense to me, is this a Soul forum or am I missing something? 

ML

8 hours ago, gogs said:

No record was ever recorded to be a northern soul record, they all wanted to be in the charts so your statement doesn't make much sense.

That isn’t true either.  The very history of how many records came about tells you they were never going to make a chart let alone become a hit.  Small press runs, local presses, pressed to sell or give away at gigs etc.  The vast majority would never get the promotion or backing so were never going to trouble the charts. 

Northern Soul isn’t a genre either, it is a scene made up of various genres and styles. 

Soul music is music that resonates with ones soul,   period !🎶🎶

15 hours ago, chalky said:

That isn’t true either.  The very history of how many records came about tells you they were never going to make a chart let alone become a hit.  Small press runs, local presses, pressed to sell or give away at gigs etc.  

Northern Soul isn’t a genre either, it is a scene made up of various genres and styles. 

I know that Northern Soul is not a genre, hence part of my post.

local presses-  some local presses got picked up by the big companies i.e. Atlantic. the rest hoped that they would

pressed to sell or give away at gigs etc.- This was used as an advertisement in the hope off recognition of promoters or big companies.

The vast majority would never get the promotion or backing so were never going to trouble the charts.- I never said that they were, Doesn't mean that they didn't want this.

Nobody deliberately would press a record in the hope of making a loss!!!!

 

 

I'm not knocking these two recordings by Dusty and Susan they are easy listening pop tunes with a touch of soul which as Spain Pete said is relevant to the listener  how much soul they get out of it, obviously people have fond memories of a time when they heard it for the first time or a time when they were in love dancing to it ect, as regards genres NS is a massive Umbrella consisting oh many genres ie, RnB, TAMLA , POPCORN  ROCK NROLL all mean to say there are more soulful tunes to decide on a Poll that hit you right between eyes

ML