Poll: Version Battle - The Chase Is On

[Mike 4,713]

Poll: Version Battle - Time for another members suggestion

This time its thanks to long long time member Joan aka @jumpinjoan for this one

two versions both with their own take on a great song, which one do you go for ?

The Artistics - The Chase Is On - Brunswick

 

 

Johnny Howard - The Chase Is On - Bashie

as always once you have  posted your choice then do please share your reasons, view, stories, memories and all that via the comments below

the chase is on...

 

 

[Mal C 2,676]

God dam ! These are hard... Artistics has my vote as that’s the version I first heard, can somebody say when these were played, which first etc... seem to think the Bashie 45 was aWigan spin, I’ve heard that somewhere 

fast becoming my favourite feature on here, what it’s all about init

Mal 

Edited July 12, 2018 by Mal C

[Steve S 60 8,369]

Tough one.  As much as I love the Artistics, the more uptempo arrangement on Johnny's version suits the song better.  You believe that the chase is on.

[Tomangoes 2,182]

Closer gap than the leave EU vote....

Johnny is just a bit more 'raw ' and edges it on the dancefloor.

Artistics are a top top group though and Hope we have, is a top 10 belter.

[Tattoodave 4,003]

Johnny Howard's version for the sax break, but again a tough call.

[Bbrich 653]

Johnny Howard, and for me this was quite an easy decision = just more energetic/aggressive..

[Jumpinjoan 2,324]

Despite hearing JH first, it's Artistics all day long for me. The awesome vocal, arrangement, depth and all-round soulfulness puts it leagues ahead. One of the best groups ever to hit a recording studio 

 

[Mal C 2,676]

Go Joan ! 

[Lfcjunkie 186]

22 minutes ago, jumpinjoan said:

Despite hearing JH first, it's Artistics all day long for me. The awesome vocal, arrangement, depth and all-round soulfulness puts it leagues ahead. One of the best groups ever to hit a recording studio 

 

Couldn't have put it better Joan

[Martyn Pitt 2,263]

Johnny Howard by quite a distance, more punch and power, more of a dancer to my ears ...  and my ringtone to boot  

 

.

Edited July 12, 2018 by martyn pitt

[PIED PIPER 34]

Artistics  More Soulful version , Johnny Howard is a classic Dancer , but  has and still is Hammered to Death  

 

[Winsford Soul 11,327]

Simple for me.  Don't particularly like the record.  

Steve 

[Supercorsa 352]

Johnny Howard for me, although I heard the Artistics version long before Howard version. First heard it on a Kent LP, possibly Soul Agents alongside numerous other Brunswick releases. 

[Jumpinjoan 2,324]

1 hour ago, PIED PIPER said:

Artistics  More Soulful version , Johnny Howard is a classic Dancer , but  has and still is Hammered to Death  

 

That's the thing right there. If I didn't hear JH ever again I would be a happy gal. The Artistics however, different kettle of fish. Always been in JH's shadow so never got the recognition it rightly deserved. I also think the cheaper vs more expensive stigma plays a part, as it does so often. Take One Thousand Wonders by TSU Tornadoes / Archie Bell for example - AB is a thousand times better and cheaper. Rarity and value never trumps quality for me. But that's for a future battle to decide ... 

Like Mal and others have said, these are great threads and what it's all about. Preferences shared and not a hissy fit in sight. Old school soulsource. Great stuff! 

Edited July 12, 2018 by jumpinjoan

[Guest Spain pete]

Artistics sleeker,   johnny rawer   nothing in it , artistics because l love all their output

[Tlscapital 655]

The Johnny Howard has maybe the Oomph ! and is indeed a rarer 45 so it's maybe more "Northern Soul" in that sense. But the Artistics (one of the finest group IMHO) has the music, the groove and the voices. Let's not forget the credentials with Carl Davis, Sonny Sanders and Gerald Sims. And I do hear that. I heard them first both around the same time in my younger days on the Kent compilations. Always loved the Artistics so much more to leave the although good version of Johnny Howard a much less desirable 45 to purchase. And I still get the same chills from the first drum & bongo and bass & guitar call intro...

 

[The Yank 1,722]

Although it's close- I'm going with the Artistics version.

[Peter99 10,920]

Artistics - smoother, deeper vocals. Easy call for me. 

 

Pete

[jules 88]

very little in this, the artistics to sit and listen to, tother for the floor, two great recordings though

[Thinksmart 265]

It's time to hit the poll vote button at the top everyone.  Artistics for me.....

[Monny1916 137]

Johnny Howard for me a bit more uptempo and very crisp lovely sax and still danceable for my legs 

[Joey 924]

Neither of these were played on the scene prior to me leaving it at the end of '75. I first heard them after returning almost twenty years later, so have no really vivid, chemically induced "memories" akin to the ones surrounding the likes of Moses Smith, Duke Browner, etc., and can therefore make a decision based on something other than the pure emotion felt at the time. If that makes any sense.

So, for a soul record, it just has to be the version by the wonderful Artistics. For a northern tune though, the JH version by a country mile.

[Davenpete 1,037]

Artistics all the way.

Dx

[Mr Fred 178]

Whilst the Artistics have released some class sounds. For me on this one its got to be Johnny Howard.

Regards Fred. 

[Scootboy 646]

Johnny Howard is my choice,like all the previous polls (only Not My Girl was a winner),I prefer it because it is a better dancer (for me)

[Bruv 1,997]

The Artistics for me, another one of many Soul Stunners from the Boys....    

[Hooker1951 846]

I'm a big fan of the Artistics but on this particular record Johnny Howard as the edge 

ML

[Wicked 111]

Artistics for me but JH great version also, I'm not so much into the up-tempo stomp stomp stuff these days but ask me in 6 months time and it might be different.

[Enricoacm1899 94]

Will go with the Artistics, also 'cause was one of the first tune that got me into soul

Edited July 13, 2018 by EnricoACM1899

[IAN STACEY 396]

Johnny Howard it was the first version i heard at station rd  .very good record to choose!

[twinroots 20]

Both superb sounds in their own right..but artistics just edges it for me..so so underrated group

[Back Street Blue 2,050]

JH for me, that's the first I heard and that's the dancer

[Philt 1,882]

Artistics. A much better record on every level.

[Mick Reed 71]

J H for me every time.

[Peter99 10,920]

Artistic are slowly catching up.

[Tomangoes 2,182]

Did / Does the plug side ever get played?

Ed

 

[Mike 4,713]

On 14/07/2018 at 20:20, Peter99 said:

Artistic are slowly catching up.

still time... ?
now hitting the last few days before closing

[Tlscapital 655]

On 15/07/2018 at 07:38, tomangoes said:

Did / Does the plug side ever get played?

Ed

 

Never heard it out but am not clubbing too much... I always found Johnny Howard 'I miss my lady' on the edge making it hard to "fall in love" with it. Even though on the musical arrangements it holds all that we love in that typical Windy C trade mark... I guess I find it lacking the subtleness or the inspiration I find on others of the genre and that era. 

[dogsbody 11]

On 12/07/2018 at 09:20, mike said:

Poll: Version Battle - Time for another members suggestion

This time its thanks to long long time member Joan aka @jumpinjoan for this one

two versions both with their own take on a great song, which one do you go for ?

The Artistics - The Chase Is On - Brunswick

 

 

Johnny Howard - The Chase Is On - Bashie

as always once you have  posted your choice then do please share your reasons, view, stories, memories and all that via the comments below

the chase is on...

 

 

No doubt in my mind. It's gotta be the Johnny Howard version, which is kind of odd to me, as I love the Artistics and you only have to look at the label credits to see: prod by Carl Davis, Arr. Sonny Sanders, Directed by Gerald Sims. Even a poor record should turn out great with that team behind it. But music is a funny thing and the johnny Howard version just has a better tempo, more "oomph", and makes the Artistics version sound weak in comparison. Oh yeah, nearly forgot, Johnny Howard was a big VaVa tune. Say no more.

[dogsbody 11]

On 12/07/2018 at 14:22, jumpinjoan said:

That's the thing right there. If I didn't hear JH ever again I would be a happy gal. The Artistics however, different kettle of fish. Always been in JH's shadow so never got the recognition it rightly deserved. I also think the cheaper vs more expensive stigma plays a part, as it does so often. Take One Thousand Wonders by TSU Tornadoes / Archie Bell for example - AB is a thousand times better and cheaper. Rarity and value never trumps quality for me. But that's for a future battle to decide ... 

Like Mal and others have said, these are great threads and what it's all about. Preferences shared and not a hissy fit in sight. Old school soulsource. Great stuff! 

You're absolutely right there. I don't agree with you in this case, but I could fill a book with records that are inferior to another version of the same song but get played and are worth more simply because they are rarer, not because they're better.The Sheppards v Ernest Moseley springs instantly to mind, and that's a miracle as I'm so tired it took me about 1/2 hour to type this. Ps a DJ once told me he was playing Chip Tyler instead of Jerry Williams 'cos it was rarer. I told him it was a soul night, not a country night......"Oh there's no need to be like that" he replied,  eeeejit!

[dogsbody 11]

On 12/07/2018 at 18:47, Joey said:

Neither of these were played on the scene prior to me leaving it at the end of '75. I first heard them after returning almost twenty years later, so have no really vivid, chemically induced "memories" akin to the ones surrounding the likes of Moses Smith, Duke Browner, etc., and can therefore make a decision based on something other than the pure emotion felt at the time. If that makes any sense.

So, for a soul record, it just has to be the version by the wonderful Artistics. For a northern tune though, the JH version by a country mile.

That's GOOD, Emotion is, along with groove, the most important ingredient in a song/record. I like JH best but The Artistics are a killer group.

[Mike 4,713]

On 19/07/2018 at 13:28, mike said:

still time... ?
now hitting the last few days before closing

last shout! 

[Mike 4,713]

ok thanks to all who took part be it voting or talking

next one starting tonight all being well

reminder any suggestions pm me then to get on the 'list'

looks like Johnny is the winner with a 59 to the  Artistics 41

so over to you Johnny to play this poll out....